Single use plastic bags to be banned.

Forums › Off topic › Single use plastic bags to be banned.

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Ultimate Geek
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#2133490 24-Nov-2018 19:27

TwoSeven:
Technofreak:

Rikkitic:

Minor inconveniences at worst. All it takes is a (very) little advance planning. Put the bags in your backpack and take them out as needed. The whole point is that we may need to put up with a little inconvenience. If no-one is willing to, our problems are going to get a lot worse.

The real problem isn't solved by banning single use bags. Banning single use bags is only fiddling around the edges and isn't addressing the root issues. The real problem is responsible disposal of rubbish which includes plastic bags.

The issue why single use plastic bags are being banned (in many places around the world - the EU already has on single use plastics not just bags) as far as I am aware is that they cannot be disposed of. They don’t decompose and generally can’t be recycled.

Because of that, they tend to find their way into the environment and it really doesn’t matter about the level of intended responsibility.

But I agree, I would have liked to have seen the ban on single-use plastics, not just bags.

I don’t see why paper bags and paper wrapping can’t be used in most cases.

In terms of bags, I have a micro-bag that folds up into a pouch that will fit into a pocket or carry bag. I think I got it from a computer show a long time ago. I do like the paper bags at the supermarkets, especially since they are reasonably priced.

Personally, I think this is one place where technology and innovation ( or adopting old technology in terms of paper bags) and making it better works.

Supermarkets are currently trying to sell me paper bags for 15 cents each. Clearly this whole debacle is an excuse for supermarkets to make even more profit.

I read here that they are banning only the plastic that isnt recyclable....I understand since China stopped taking our plastic waste NO plastic is being recycled and some cities are sending it to land fill as they have run out of space to store the pallets.

Where the bans are in place in Europe they probably have the population and quantities to afford decent recycling.

tdgeek

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#2136365 29-Nov-2018 06:37

Progress is being made, post straws and bags

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/better-business/108934657/the-other-plastics-retailers-and-manufacturers-pick-up-the-plastic-bag-baton

mattwnz

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#2136913 30-Nov-2018 00:05

Bluntj:

Where the bans are in place in Europe they probably have the population and quantities to afford decent recycling.

IMO it is a big political thing to change peoples direction when it comes to waste. The fact is that in the background, there is still so much plastic and waste when it comes to supermarkets, and there doesn't seem to be any moves to reduce it. I saw in my local super market tonight 4 capsicums which were on a black plastic plate thing, and wrapped in clear plastic. That would probably weigh multiple bags. IMO no fruit or veges need any additional packaging around them, as they have natural packaging. I don't know if hte law change will prevent that sort of thing.

Also what is to stop people just buying plastic bags (eg small rubbish bags) off the shelf, and when they get to the checkout they just use those to carry they food home in? Also Banning true recyclable bags such as cornstarch, as an alternative to plastic ones, which can break down in the soil IMO is just stupid.

Batman

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#2136921 30-Nov-2018 00:52

mattwnz:

Bluntj:

Where the bans are in place in Europe they probably have the population and quantities to afford decent recycling.

IMO it is a big political thing to change peoples direction when it comes to waste. The fact is that in the background, there is still so much plastic and waste when it comes to supermarkets, and there doesn't seem to be any moves to reduce it. I saw in my local super market tonight 4 capsicums which were on a black plastic plate thing, and wrapped in clear plastic. That would probably weigh multiple bags. IMO no fruit or veges need any additional packaging around them, as they have natural packaging. I don't know if hte law change will prevent that sort of thing.

Also what is to stop people just buying plastic bags (eg small rubbish bags) off the shelf, and when they get to the checkout they just use those to carry they food home in? Also Banning true recyclable bags such as cornstarch, as an alternative to plastic ones, which can break down in the soil IMO is just stupid.

well all you have to do now is sell truckloads of "reusable" plastic bags for people to put 2 boxes in each ICE car.

dafman

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#2137035 30-Nov-2018 09:29

mattwnz:

IMO it is a big political thing to change peoples direction when it comes to waste. The fact is that in the background, there is still so much plastic and waste when it comes to supermarkets, and there doesn't seem to be any moves to reduce it. I saw in my local super market tonight 4 capsicums which were on a black plastic plate thing, and wrapped in clear plastic. That would probably weigh multiple bags. IMO no fruit or veges need any additional packaging around them, as they have natural packaging. I don't know if hte law change will prevent that sort of thing.

Also what is to stop people just buying plastic bags (eg small rubbish bags) off the shelf, and when they get to the checkout they just use those to carry they food home in? Also Banning true recyclable bags such as cornstarch, as an alternative to plastic ones, which can break down in the soil IMO is just stupid.

Some supermarkets in NZ are going to trial plastic-free fruit and vege, so the tide is turning.

And, yes, someone would have to be extremely stupid to buy small plastic bags off the shelf to put their grocery into as it would be cheaper and easier just to buy a reusable bag at the checkout.

davidcole

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#2137037 30-Nov-2018 09:31

dafman:

mattwnz:

IMO it is a big political thing to change peoples direction when it comes to waste. The fact is that in the background, there is still so much plastic and waste when it comes to supermarkets, and there doesn't seem to be any moves to reduce it. I saw in my local super market tonight 4 capsicums which were on a black plastic plate thing, and wrapped in clear plastic. That would probably weigh multiple bags. IMO no fruit or veges need any additional packaging around them, as they have natural packaging. I don't know if hte law change will prevent that sort of thing.

Also what is to stop people just buying plastic bags (eg small rubbish bags) off the shelf, and when they get to the checkout they just use those to carry they food home in? Also Banning true recyclable bags such as cornstarch, as an alternative to plastic ones, which can break down in the soil IMO is just stupid.

Some supermarkets in NZ are going to trial plastic-free fruit and vege, so the tide is turning.

And, yes, someone would have to be extremely stupid to buy small plastic bags off the shelf to put their grocery into as it would be cheaper and easier just to buy a reusable bag at the checkout.

No, they're more likely to just ask for more and more bags in the lead up to the supermarket removing them to stockpile.

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tdgeek

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#2137042 30-Nov-2018 09:39

mattwnz:

Bluntj:

Where the bans are in place in Europe they probably have the population and quantities to afford decent recycling.

IMO it is a big political thing to change peoples direction when it comes to waste. The fact is that in the background, there is still so much plastic and waste when it comes to supermarkets, and there doesn't seem to be any moves to reduce it. I saw in my local super market tonight 4 capsicums which were on a black plastic plate thing, and wrapped in clear plastic. That would probably weigh multiple bags. IMO no fruit or veges need any additional packaging around them, as they have natural packaging. I don't know if hte law change will prevent that sort of thing.

Also what is to stop people just buying plastic bags (eg small rubbish bags) off the shelf, and when they get to the checkout they just use those to carry they food home in? Also Banning true recyclable bags such as cornstarch, as an alternative to plastic ones, which can break down in the soil IMO is just stupid.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/better-business/108934657/the-other-plastics-retailers-and-manufacturers-pick-up-the-plastic-bag-baton

dafman

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#2137046 30-Nov-2018 09:41

Bluntj:

Where the bans are in place in Europe they probably have the population and quantities to afford decent recycling.

Recycling is a bit of a myth. It doesn't get rid of the plastic, it just converts it into a lower grade of plastic that can be reused.

So bans are useful as they reduce the level of plastic being used/produced in the first place.

Plastic is an extremely useful and versatile product and we should continue to use it. However, where we don't need it is in the huge quantities of single-use varieties which are killing our environment. If we get rid of single-use plastic for food, beverage and cosmetics we will be going a long way to stem the tide.

dafman

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#2137065 30-Nov-2018 10:02

For those interested, here are a couple of really interesting podcasts on the plastic crisis.

Dianna Cohen of the Plastics Pollution Coalition reveals how our dependence on the material threatens the health of future generations - link here

The Guardian: The plastic backlash: what's behind our sudden rage – and will it make a difference? - link here

A couple of interesting facts from the podcasts:

Coke, Pespi and Nestle are the worst manufacturers for global plastic waste.
It is estimated that less than 4% of single-use plastic in the USA will end up being recycled since China stopped buying plastic waste to recycle. And single-use plastic production is increasing year on year.

davidcole

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#2137080 30-Nov-2018 10:17

dafman:

For those interested, here are a couple of really interesting podcasts on the plastic crisis.

Dianna Cohen of the Plastics Pollution Coalition reveals how our dependence on the material threatens the health of future generations - link here

The Guardian: The plastic backlash: what's behind our sudden rage – and will it make a difference? - link here

A couple of interesting facts from the podcasts:

Coke, Pespi and Nestle are the worst manufacturers for global plastic waste.
It is estimated that less than 4% of single-use plastic in the USA will end up being recycled since China stopped buying plastic waste to recycle. And single-use plastic production is increasing year on year.

Bring back glass bottles for drinks.....or use fountains and fill your own.

Bulk bins/vegatables in supermarkets need to allow for higher weight, bring your own containers. Ie they need the Tare function so you glass jar you put your peanuts in doesn't add to the cost

Geektastic

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#2137123 30-Nov-2018 11:33

All I can say is, having recently been to Japan, New Zealand was already using far less plastic and packaging than the Japanese do.

Each individual fruit is wrapped in protective foam lattice there!

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MikeAqua

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#2137141 30-Nov-2018 12:22

dafman:

Coke, Pespi and Nestle are the worst manufacturers for global plastic waste.

Manufacturers simply respond to economic and environmental drivers.

For example shipping plastic instead of glass reduces fuel use and shipping costs and glass is also energy intensive to make.

Mike

tdgeek

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#2137148 30-Nov-2018 12:26

MikeAqua:

dafman:

Coke, Pespi and Nestle are the worst manufacturers for global plastic waste.

Manufacturers simply respond to economic and environmental drivers.

For example shipping plastic instead of glass reduces fuel use and shipping costs and glass is also energy intensive to make.

Can you re use glass bottles, rather than crushing and re forming them? That could make them a lot cheaper.

dafman

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#2137222 30-Nov-2018 13:20

MikeAqua:

dafman:

Coke, Pespi and Nestle are the worst manufacturers for global plastic waste.

Manufacturers simply respond to economic and environmental drivers.

For example shipping plastic instead of glass reduces fuel use and shipping costs and glass is also energy intensive to make.

Many manufacturers simply respond to economic drivers often at the expense of the environment (unless constrained by legislation).

And in the case of the proliferation of single-use plastic manufacture for consumer goods, manufacturers have deliberately funded strategies in an effort to avoid environmental legislation. The link to the Guardian podcast I posted above outlines examples.

SilverStone

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#2137533 30-Nov-2018 21:31

It's about time we started taking action to make our planet last longer.

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