RE: Ship it back and break free from plastics

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RE: Ship it back and break free from plastics

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freedomshift in #cleanplanet • 7 years ago

If they did not manufacture the plastics, there will be no wastes like these." That totally makes sense! On the other hand, I hope everyone will be responsible enough, both in garbage disposal and in curbing use of plastics.

I respectfully disagree. Plastics and other pollution are not the faults of the materials which have many beneficial uses and characteristics.

Just imagine a total ban of plastics, styrofoam and similar materials for even one day.

The solution is in the cost of disposal to be a part of the product's price - such as a return deposit on bottles, cans, etc. that can be and should be recycled.

I remember a time when this was done in Texas and you will see people collecting waste and return them for money.

I remember seeing a video in Hong Kong when old people collected cardboard boxes and returned them or sell them for a little bit of money.

The last time I was in Hong Kong and was buying some fruits and asked for a bag. The cashier said it will cost me 50 cent HKG and I promptly declined.

In the end, money motivates people to achieve the right outcome if implemented by the governments.

7 years ago in #cleanplanet by freedomshift

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macoolette 7 years ago

Yap, I agree that total ban of plastics may not be the solution because I think replacing it with paper bags (as what other activists would suggest) is still destroying the environment. I wonder how many trees need to be cut for paper production, with the thought that trees mature for years and not as fast as they are torn down for paper production. I think (I just think because they did not mention) this has been considered by Greenpeace because their campaign was focused on single-use plastics. I never heard of anyone of them campaigning for total ban of plastics. What they were saying is that these corporations should find a better way to manage the plastics that they produce.

And yes, I believe recycling is the best option. Only if these large corporations would spend for recycling facility but no. I myself collected bottles and plastics when I was young. I do not exactly remember then but as I watch my nephew collect his trades, he segregates some types of plastics and bottles. Only very few are being accepted for the junk shop. Those that they say are not acceptable, God knows where the garbage collector will bring them to.

Lastly, I mentioned on my closing statements that I hope everyone will be responsible enough in terms of using plastics. Everyone has a part to play in saving the environment.

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freedomshift 7 years ago

I think the thoughts, activism, and goals are admirable.

But, societies and countries are all linked now. We could not achieve the ultimate goal of a clean environment without the cooperation of the world governments.

Individuals can do little - sad to say.

In Houston, Texas, the city has a good recycle process. We have a large black plastics container for garbage and one same size green container for recycling. Garbage pickup is once a week but recycle is every other week. Tree waste is picked up once a month. Heavy trash is once every other month. And then, there is hazardous waste disposal centers for people to drop off.

But, when I travel outside, I could do nothing when they do not have similar processes for recycling.

So, in the end, it is the responsibility of world and local governments. Japan has a great system and process. Singapore also has good government laws and processes.

Going after corporations - I am afraid to say - is "barking up the wrong tree.

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macoolette 7 years ago

Individuals can do little

It has to start somewhere even with baby steps. Otherwise nothing will be started at all.

Going after corporations - I am afraid to say - is "barking up the wrong tree.

I do not think so. It may not be enough because they are not the only ones responsible in the totally of the issue but again, something has to start somewhere. For Greenpeace specifically, they do not receive donation from corporations and government bodies to keep the impartiality because they can protest against any of those corporations and government.

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