- cross-posted to:
- memes@lemmy.ml
- cross-posted to:
- memes@lemmy.ml
It is worth noting that other types of materials are regularly recycled fairly well
For instance, paper and carboard (as long as it’s without food grease) work well
Also worth noting that #1 and #2 plastics are usually recycled. #3 and above are typically not economically viable and thus not recycled. They have higher cost and produce lower quality plastics after recyling
There was a time when China had such high raw demand for plastics that they would recycle large amounts of the higher number plastics from other countries. They no longer do so
These distinctions are typically not expressed to people very well. In any case, recycling is supposed to be the thing that comes after trying to reduce waste and reuse waste. It’s not a magical bullet, but it can help with the things you can’t easily reduce or reuse. Somehow it became the focal point of everything and the other two got lost
Aluminum is cheaper to recycle than to make, even more so than glass.
Aluminum is cheaper to recycle than to make, even more so than glass.
Both can be true, don’t pressure yourself. Just do what you can if you feel like it and vote for people who do too
Don’t look too much into “dolphin-safe” tuna.
You can actually recycle some plastics at home with a flat tray and an oven. PET, LDP and HDP can all be sorted, cut up and placed on a tray. With a relatively low heat setting they’ll flatten out into a sheet that can be cut and used for hobbying or other purposes.
Look for tutorials online for the details.
Also, some countries have MUCH BETTER recycling programs than others.
he way the US “recycles” has been mostly sending them away to countries who just toss them into the sea.
In EU countries that won’t fly as easily. But governments still look the other way and put that responsibility on NGOs who often lie about how much they recycle. They claim “70%”, but that’s 70% of what’s put in the container paid by the city. There’s still way too much stuff tossed into the normal trash or out in the open.
Plastic may be so, but glass recycling has been a thing for decades (depending on where you are), aliminium recycling is all well, same for paper (if grease free) There’s also wooden alternatives for a lot of plastic/silicon stuff, and wood can be reused/burned/mulched.
So in a way it IS your responsibility - to give up plastic
your responsibility
*Assuming the products are available and you make enough to buy them.
Take an inventory of plastic shit in your life. It’s a lot. I don’t think I could cut it out completely. I’m having a hard time imagining zero plastic grocery shopping. It’s possible to be sure, but fucking everything comes in plastic.
Regardless of whoever came up with the idea, recycling does help and you should do it:
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230317-how-recycling-can-help-the-climate-and-other-facts
It may not save the planet on its own, but it is part of the solution.