Comments on: Week 29 Results: 2.6 oz. of plastic. Making a change.

By: Jane

Jane — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:22:00 +0000

I know that you posted this video a while ago, but I’ve been searching the web looking for info on where my recycling ends up, and this is one of the few useful sources I’ve found so far. Thank you SO MUCH for publicizing this – more people need to do so. It is more proof that we need to be conscious of the packaging surrounding the products we buy. That’s the real answer.

By: LifeLessPlastic

LifeLessPlastic — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 06:30:00 +0000

Holy *bleeping* crap! That video is so disturbing! Thanks for posting it, though. It's an enlightening bit of reporting and helps me build my conviction. :)

If you don't mind, I'd like to link to it on my site, too, so that the friends of mine that read my blog definitely see it. I'll let everyone know that I snagged it from you, though, and mention how cool your new experiment is! :)

By: Janice

Janice — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 17:26:00 +0000

Hi Beth, Here is a link to a story about a planned Joint Venture in the UK to start keeping and recycling plastics in country rather than shipping it to China. It will take some time to implement, but good to know that an alternative is in the works. That is usually the reason why US recycling gets shipped to other countries…we don’t have the infrastructure or the industries to process it locally.
http://www.recyclingtoday.com/news/news.asp?ID=12451

Good seeing you yesterday!

By: The Biscuit Queen

The Biscuit Queen — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:12:00 +0000

What an eye opener. Great site! I have started a blog as well http://www.avoidingplastic.blogspot.com
before I came upon your site. I like the idea of linking all these sites together and maybe trying to organize a largescale awareness project. We should remember that old mantra: “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”. There is a reason “Reduce” is first. Until we start reducing our attempts at tackling this problem are going to be minimally effective at best. Is it alright if I link to your site?

Jen

By: Lynne Marie

Lynne Marie — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 05:27:00 +0000

thanks for the video. i think i have been using "oh, i recycle/compost/reuse" scapegoat tactics for the past 16 years or so. yes, all these things are wonderful, but, ultimately, do i need all this stuff that ends up in either trash, recycling, compost, or Freecycle? can i create alternatives with less waste?

it's not just good enough to shop at the health food store and spend money and fill carts full of future "green" garbage. thanks to bloggers like you this year, i think that point finally hit head.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 22:44:00 +0000

There is some good information on Co-op America's web site about plastics recycling here (a 5MB pdf -- see pp. 11, 13 table, & 24). Basically, there are no (U.S.) domestic facilities that recycle plastics #3-7. These types all go overseas, and often get melted down and used as boiler fuel or end up in unregulated landfills. Recycling plastics #1 & 2 is more profitable, and some reprocessing of these plastics takes place in the U.S., but there is no guarantee that plastics with this kind will not end up elsewhere.

Most advertising promoting plastics recycling is paid for by virgin plastics manufacturers. They want to create the (false) perception that the stuff they make is good for the environment because it can theoretically be turned into something else after its original use.

Here's a little blurb consistent with the posted video (from the 1996 Berkeley Plastics Task Force Report):

"In addition, plastics are a major component of an international trade in discarded resources that has become a source of serious problems. Discarded materials that are collected in industrialized countries and shipped to third-world countries as recyclables are sometimes badly contaminated. Occasionally the contamination is hazardous waste. The countries that ship the materials rely on the often-weak regulatory climates, huge reservoirs of cheap labor, and desperate economies of the receiving countries. Greenpeace and other organizations have documented conditions at recycling facilities in countries that import this material and have found conditions to be hazardous and exploitive. In addition, Greenpeace found that exported plastics were very poorly sorted. In a seven-country survey, up to 50% of the discards shipped overseas were contaminated and had to be dumped, often in unlined, unmanaged sites. Little or no documentation has been found regarding the market stability or soundness of the products that these countries produce with plastic scrap. The 'cradle to grave' approach to waste management does not apply if the 'grave' is in another country."

By: Sunny

Sunny — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 17:24:00 +0000

You know, I don’t know Beth. I need to do some more research. I know there are local plastic recyclers here in Salem. I know a couple who owns Agri-Plas in Brooks (near Salem) but I’m not sure they are the ones that handle my curbside. They do however take my friend’s plastic so you might try to contact a “local” recycling company (i.e. one that actually does it here in the US vs in China) and see if you can become their friend and take your household stuff to them. Not too helpful. Happy belated B-day!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 12:03:00 +0000

Happy birthday, Fake Plastic Fish! You are an inspiration in many ways and just when I don't think there's anything else you can inspire me to (try to) do, you come up with something else. I have to sign in as "Anonymous" but I really am Axelle, and I wish you many happy returns of your birthday!

PS Thank you, terrible person, for the reminder.

By: Joanna

Joanna — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 10:07:00 +0000

Hi Beth ... just to say that you don't need rubbing alcohol. I've never had it in my first aid box (4 children, all the usual childhood accidents and ailments) - I don't think many people do in the UK. As you say, there are alternatives which don't involve plastic, but which will still protect your family's health.

I hugely admire such determination and such attention to detail

Joanna

By: Fake Plastic Fish

Fake Plastic Fish — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 09:56:00 +0000

Hi Sunny. I don’t know what I’ll do with it yet. The idea right now is just to keep it from poisoning small children in China. Do you have any suggestions? I do keep meaning to display and photograph my 6-months non-recyclable plastic waste that I’ve collected, but every time I think of doing it I get overwhelmed by the idea of arranging it all. I know I could just dump it out in a pile, but that’s not really my style!