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I think that's cool where ever it happens but I read somewhere that some kid invented a plastic bag that was very close to bio-degradable. (Maybe it was here)
I think the companies that over do the packaging of their products should be held accountable for their contribution to the plastic waste problems. I know there's some reason, most likely monetarial, why they need to over pack their products. I've always thought it had to do with the fact that the plastic is cheaper to produce than what ever goes in the plastic. I don't know any of this for sure although I do know that it is a reflection on us/me the consumer. If we didn't buy it in those packages they wouldn't sell it, in those packages. Peace, dave
Blessings,
dave
"It doesn't mean that much to me.. to mean that much to you. Neil Young
Blessings,
dave
"It doesn't mean that much to me.. to mean that much to you." Neil Young
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There was one person who testified passionately about the values and benefits of disposable plastic bags and the unhappy effects on his life if the council should take the unfortunate step of banning these wonders of modern technology. It was quite a performance and gave me the impression the gentleman had not slept in 2-3 days from laying awake and rehearsing his testimony on the subject.
So you should be aware that even the lowly disposable plastic bag from Safeway is appreciated and has it's admirers.
I was tempted to go to him in the hallway, where he was repeating his testimony to whoever was available, and recommend he stock up on the things.... someone would have the historic position on Big Island of being the last person to carry their groceries with disposable plastic bags and it may as well be him.
But then I realized I too would be trapped in the hall hearing the pros (no cons) of the bags. Nahhhh.
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Are they folded in a neat triangular fashion? That's how my MIL and wife do them.
David
QUOTE"Still to this day... she has about 2 Full 30 gallon Trash Can bins filled with plastic bags all neatly folded less yet!!!! (I think that's the Japanese in her)
"
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The majority decided on this issue. Or at least the majority of people that "cared" enough to voice their concerns to their councilmen/women. Hey.. if you snooze...you lose!
This is what the majority of people on the Big Island want! Now it's in Harry Kim's hands.
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Has anyone looked into the volume of trash created by junk mail? In my house it far outweighs the amount of disposable plastic grocery bags.
I reuse those buggahs all the time! Now I will have to buy 'em.
They should ban all containers made of man made materials. We did just fine with Bamboo, koa bowls natural woven baskets for milennia.
Lets go for banning glass, metal and plastic bottles and cans next.
/s
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First things first: ban polystyrene.
You are trying to be funny. I am not.
The point is not the object and its material (plastic bag or polystyrene box).
The point is the real and long-term damage done (the costs) relative to the trivial and fleeting function provided (the benefit).
In the case of plastic shopping bags and polystyrene food boxes, the small and very short-term benefit generates a large and very long-term cost on the wider community.
James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park
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Banning expanded polystyrene(EPS) might be a good catch phrase but perhaps should be qualified in some way to limit a proposed ban to gratuitous uses of the products (i.e. disposable products - food wraps, packaging filler).
I have long been aware of EPS as a product making a one way trip to the dump. My own home is built using approximately 40,000 lbs. of recycled EPS where it's purpose, usefulness and value is multifaceted. EPS is one of the worst components of a landfill because it is light, bulky and doesn't break down. For these same reasons I find it attractive as an aggregate in concrete also because it is light, bulky and doesn't break down.
Take any material and put it in the wrong use or place and it is a negative. Take the same material and put it in the right use or place and it can be a positive. EPS is, by example, often used as an insulating material. You might find it in the wall of your refrigerator or freezer. It's excellent performance as an insulator reduces your electric bill. Refrigeration makes a huge contribution to health. Other good uses exist as well.
EPS is, by my research, already an environmental solution in that it is made from by product waste acids from the refining of petroleum. As long as the world is refining petroleum there will be accumulating vast quantities of these acids. Polystyrene was developed from these waste resources. So the "food chain" of waste stream products often is traced to the simple but all embracing use of oil in this world.
Here in Hawaii I would strongly agree that we have an opportunity to chart another course... and we should. I would support eliminating EPS from disposable products and recycling whatever EPS waste that results.
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