Thank you.
My issue is that the demonisation of 'single-use' plastics is a red herring. They are the best form of food packaging we have. The issue is with disposal, not their use. Just because some people have disposed of them irresponsibly doesn't mean there is any merit in reducing their use. You throw them in the bin and your Council incinerates them, converting them into energy. What is the problem with that?
PS - Landfill has reduced dramatically in recent years so, from being the main form of disposal, it formed just one-eighth of tonnage last year, and is still in free-fall. The massive growth in incineration means that seven-eighths is now split equally between it and recycling, with incineration still increasing.
Lol. I was with you for a little while until you decided we can just burn the problem
Plastic is incredible. I can't begin to imagine the lives it's saved over the years but it will be countless millions. I don't demonise plastic and I use a lot of it including a lot of single use plastic.
Absolutely the problem is disposal but if we use a little bit less then surely there is less to dispose of (or set fire to).....?
There's an argument that burying plastic is actually better than burning it. If you burn it you create CO2 which isn't ideal. If you bury it you've captured that CO2 pretty much forever. Even if you don't bury it the CO2 is captured within the plastic for hundreds of years as it won't decompose.
We do see a lot of unnecessary plastic package though don't we? Bananas and oranges packed in plastic bags. Why? Just not necessary.
And absolutely you should pat yourself on the back for 'doing your bit'. Just don't get on a high horse thinking you're better than everyone else because you own a cotton bag for life. The energy it takes to produce one of those compared to plastic bags is frightening.