Although is easy to talk bad about something like plastics, think about how readily available it is and the way you use it. If the consumer and the producer were more conscious, then we would have a different perspective of all the plastic that surround us.
This post came to my mind thanks to my friend Juan, who is going to do his PhD in polymers and send me a great TEDx video. I will understand if there are some ideas in the video that you do not sympathize with (the lack of references bothers me). But there is something I did get out of it: Consumer and producer are more responsible for the damage caused than the product itself
This video made me start a search to see where and if are proofs of these statements.
Emissions and Cars
The initials findings came unexpectedly while I was browsing Linkedin. I saw an article -in spanish- from "La republica", a colombian newspapers, where Ivan Dario Gomez, General Director at ICIPC (In english: Institute of Training and Research of Plastic and Rubber), debates about how bad plastics are?
Emissions and Cars
The initials findings came unexpectedly while I was browsing Linkedin. I saw an article -in spanish- from "La republica", a colombian newspapers, where Ivan Dario Gomez, General Director at ICIPC (In english: Institute of Training and Research of Plastic and Rubber), debates about how bad plastics are?
Gomez presents some interesting points, like that being against plastics is seen as politically correct, however, there is a fundamental flaw in the system: in most cases, there are no more economically and environmentally sustainable alternatives. Once more, pointing out that the problem comes from producers and consumers.
One of the strongest points he presents is the influence that plastics have in the reductions of car emissions. According to EPA, the emission per mileage of cars in 2017 presented a historical minimum. The only thing that is open to interpretation is if this applies for Sedans and SUV as well - which I would think it does -.
Paper vs Plastic bags
Afterwards, I decided to investigate about Paper bags vs plastic. That took me to a Research and Library Service Briefing Note from the Northern Ireland Assembly - Kind of like a small congress in Northern Ireland-. The information on it is quite interesting: it says that it takes 91% less energy to recycle a pound of plastic than it takes to recycle a pound of paper. Unfortunately, the reference to back this information was not working. The only problem I have with this research is that there is no information about who funded it.
Another report from the Enviromental Agency (The leading public body protecting and improving the environment in England and Wales) proposes that paper, #4 LDPE, non-woven PP and cotton bags should be reused at least 3, 4, 11 and 131 times respectively to ensure that they have lower global warming potential than conventional HDPE carrier bags that are not reused. This comparison seems complex for the typical consumer that has no idea what all those acronyms means, but for reference: #2 HDPE can be normally found in Supermarkets such as Kroger and Meijer. This report is the result of research commissioned and funded by the Environment Agency.
After reading this you might wonder: Is it worth to reduce the plastic in my life? The answer is a big MAYBE:
If you are willing to take reusing really serious then YES. You can make it work, but it is not an easy task. Always check your facts!
If you will "slide" here and there, then at least be conscious. Remember is not about removing plastics completely, but make smart and green choices. Whenever possible and available for you, recycle.
Links:
https://1bagatatime.com/learn/bag-comparison-chart/
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/291023/scho0711buan-e-e.pdf
http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/globalassets/documents/raise/publications/2011/environment/3611.pdf
https://www.larepublica.co/responsabilidad-social/realmente-es-tan-malo-el-plastico-2919356
