Plastic

[Хahar 🤔]

Plastic bags are banned in Bangladesh, and society hasn't collapsed there, FWIW.

[fezzyfestoon]

I saw a 60 Minutes report on this awhile back which basically painted a much blurrier picture than you seem to imply. It is interesting, phthalates do affect mice, yet when the same tests were done on primates, there was no affect. Now, I am not the type to take an industry's word for something, but in this case they do present a very solid argument, one that has not been refuted.

However, let's suppose that phthalates do pose a risk to people (the hypothesized risk is birth defects in male babies). Already, the federal government, multiple state governments, and corporations acting voluntarily, are working to remove children and cosmetic products containing phthalates.

Honestly, I look at these environmental groups with almost as much suspicions as industry's, for they have their own external motives for not being entirely truthful.

Finally, there are literally so many things that pose "risks" to us in the world. One of two things seem to happen to these substances. A: They are banned by governments and/or phased out by the corporate community. B: The "risks" turn out to be highly exaggerated or virtually non-existent. I don't know if plastic pollution is either of those or something else, but I think looking at this, as with anything, with a skeptical eye. After all, plastics have been wide-spread for decades, so to say that they may be "extremely" toxic is a bit of a stretch in my view (though not outside the realm of possibilities).

I do agree with the point about plastics lasting "forever", however, and I would be eager to see biodegradable plastics come into use.

There is an extremely blurry picture because the industry in suppressing information.  Their only argument is their strong hand in everything we do.  Plastics are the most powerful thing in the world, almost everything we do and use has something to do with plastic.  And do you think they want us to stop?  Here is some more information to paint a clearer picture:

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You can find information almost anywhere and it's not a positive experience.  There is no doubt, regardless of the toxicity to be found inherently in these substances, that they are extremely detrimental to the environment and definitely not a cost effective mode of doing...everything.

[Vepres]

There is an extremely blurry picture because the industry in suppressing information.  Their only argument is their strong hand in everything we do.  Plastics are the most powerful thing in the world, almost everything we do and use has something to do with plastic.  And do you think they want us to stop? 

Of course not, but possible conflict of interest does not mean they're lying.

[The Vorlon]

wormyguy's reply is typical of libertarian "logic".

Why the dislike of Libertarians?

[SvenssonRS]

wormyguy's reply is typical of libertarian "logic".

Why the dislike of Libertarians?

Because he's an inbred retard who can't tolerate political ideologies anywhere to the right of Sherrod Brown.

[Vepres]

wormyguy's reply is typical of libertarian "logic".

Why the dislike of Libertarians?

Remember, all libertarians are incoherent anarchist conspiracy theorists.

[Bo]

Is bioplastic OK, or is it just as bad as regular plastic (serious question)?

[fezzyfestoon]

Is bioplastic OK, or is it just as bad as regular plastic (serious question)?

Well, they take a very long time to decompose and their effects on humans are still unknown, so there's no real answer to that.

[opebo]

I do believe it is accurate to say that the human race will 'destroy' the earth, but the real question is - 'as an old, why should I care?'

Anyway I doubt there is anything we can do about it other than voluntary extinction.

[??????????]

Opebo, how arrogant is it to think humans could "destroy" the Earth?

[fezzyfestoon]

Opebo, how arrogant is it to think humans could "destroy" the Earth?

Uh, we could.  It's scary easy for us to ruin this thing.

[??????????]

Not really. Even if we went to nuclear war many species would survive. Life would move on with or without humanity. We've survived devastating global freezes and asteroid collisions. Humans have to big of a head. We'd wipe ourselves out before the entirety of the planet.

[fezzyfestoon]

We can blow up the rock itself, I don't think anything on it can survive without it.

[??????????]

Ever seen the Yucatan peninsula?

[fezzyfestoon]

Ever seen the Yucatan peninsula?

Fair enough.

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

I'm all for going back to glass.

Plastic is a screwed up material but sadly it will never go away.  It's way too cheap and way too convenient.

When we find a way to come up with safe, biodegradable plastic, then yes, I'll support it.

[??????????]

Glass is nice but plastic saves on food waste. It's a double edged sword really.