Plastic is recyclable - so why is it so bad?

[MtBikeLover]

I've seen threads on here about people getting rid of everything plastic. But it kind of confuses me because plastic is recyclable so what is so bad about it?

I recently went to a market research presentation on the whole green movement and the survey showed that most people would choose something produced in a plastic bottle (for example a soda in plastic was thought to be a more green option versus aluminum) because of the fact that it was recyclable.

I'm kind of new to the whole green movement so I am not asking to be snarky - I am truly curious.

[Gumby]

The resources it takes to produce plastic vs. other. (oil vs. tree pulp)

Not all plastics are recyclable everywhere. (only #1 & 2 here)

Toxins from plastic can leach to food/drink. (some # worse than others)

That's just what I can think of off the cuff.

[Juvysen]

It's also not truely recycleable in that, say, a coke bottle can't be melted down and turned into another coke bottle (like glass is recycled) but instead has to be turned into something else (say, fleece, or a carpet), which then *can't* be recycled, although probably lasts longer, but doesn't degrade over time, really. There's an interesting article on plastic here

[Sustainer]

Originally Posted by MtBikeLover

I've seen threads on here about people getting rid of everything plastic. But it kind of confuses me because plastic is recyclable so what is so bad about it?

I recently went to a market research presentation on the whole green movement and the survey showed that most people would choose something produced in a plastic bottle (for example a soda in plastic was thought to be a more green option versus aluminum) because of the fact that it was recyclable.

I'm kind of new to the whole green movement so I am not asking to be snarky - I am truly curious.

Without reading any of the other responses--

#1 Most plastic does not end up getting recycled

#2 It takes a tremendous amount of energy to recycle plastic. It's almost not worth it.

#3 Even if it does get recycled, even if it gets recycled several times, it is EVENTUALLY going to end up in a landfill, or as part of the new plastic continent that is now floating in the ocean. Plastic takes FOREVER to break down.

#4 When it is initially produced, there is a ton of pollution and toxins involved.

#5 While the plastic product is in your posession, it is probably harming your health.

#6 It's a petroleum product.

[spmamma]

Plastics leach xenoestrogens into the foods we eat (via packaging touching food) and the beverages we drink. These xenoestrogens act like estrogen on our bodies and are thought to cause reproductive health issues in men, women and children.

[eco_mama]

:

[marlyninla]

Originally Posted by Juvysen

It's also not truely recycleable in that, say, a coke bottle can't be melted down and turned into another coke bottle (like glass is recycled) but instead has to be turned into something else (say, fleece, or a carpet), which then *can't* be recycled, although probably lasts longer, but doesn't degrade over time, really. There's an interesting article on plastic here

I just started reading "Cradle to Cradle" and they call this "downcycling". The plastic still eventually ends up in the landfill.

[leerypolyp]

Wow, Sustainer totally rocked that answer!

(Despite the fact that my house is full of it, I have a special, personal hatred for plastic.)

[MelanieMC]

Originally Posted by Sustainer

Without reading any of the other responses--

#1 Most plastic does not end up getting recycled

#2 It takes a tremendous amount of energy to recycle plastic. It's almost not worth it.

#3 Even if it does get recycled, even if it gets recycled several times, it is EVENTUALLY going to end up in a landfill, or as part of the new plastic continent that is now floating in the ocean. Plastic takes FOREVER to break down.

#4 When it is initially produced, there is a ton of pollution and toxins involved.

#5 While the plastic product is in your posession, it is probably harming your health.

#6 It's a petroleum product.

: Also, when people here mention getting rid of everything plastic that is not limited to drink bottles and food packaging. Many here do not buy any plastic toys for our children, for the same reasons we don't drink from plastic water bottles - they leach toxins, they are a petroleum product, etc. Also, how many plastic toys do you think can be recycled? I'd say very few, and even if they could be, do you think people would do it? It's just better to stay away from plastic products for both your health and the health of the planet.

[simple living mama]

Such thoughtful and well written answers. I love this board.

[MtBikeLover]

Thanks everyone!

[Nicole_ac]

I learn something new everyday here...!

[MamaRBH]

If it okay, I'd like to ask another question about this. Just like the OP, I'm not being snarky, I'm truly wanting the knowledge here...

What do we know about the effects of the toxins from plastic bottles, cups, etc on the human body?

[bjorker]

To expand a little on some of these points, especially in regard to plastic bags (most of it won't get recycled, the toxins in it, etc) -- it can be very harmful to the environment on the whole, after it's been used. I don't remember the exact number I saw hypothesized somewhere, but hundreds of thousands (-millions?) of plastic bags end up in waterways (lakes, rivers, streams, etc). They get used for a few minutes, and then "thrown away" which often means that they blow out of the garbage, out of windows in cars, etc. Considering that 500 billion plastic bags are made each year-- they all have to go somewhere. And it's not just going to be in a landfill, either.

For every bag, there's a cost. Environment California reports that plastic bags, and other plastic refuse that end up in the ocean, kill up to one million sea creatures every year, such as birds, whales, seals, sea turtles, and others. And the number of marine mammals that die each year because of eating or being entanglement in plastic is estimated at 100,000 in the North Pacific Ocean alone.

From this article. They also talk about how they break down into toxins and pollute soil and water.

Since so many other things are made out of plastic and end up in the trash, it's not too hard to believe that all this other plastic stuff has a big environmental impact.

[Austin'smom]

Thanks mamas for posting the great articles. I've been looking for something to replace the plastic tumblers that Austin uses for his drinks at home, we have a sigg for when we are out and about. Has anyone found any alternatives other than regular glasswear? I'm not sure he can handle glass yet.

[staceychev]

How about those metal camping mugs? Also, are you sure he can't handle glass? Lus been drinking out of small, cheap Ikea glasses and demitasse for a while now. Practice when you're sitting at the dinner table (our rule=no sippies at the table).

[almadianna]

what everyone said above and i will add that i just dont like the smell of plastic products.

[cottonwood]

My main reason is the horrible chemicals that go into the production of plastics. Don't consider it a problem? Go buy a house in an area where it's polluting the air and water, I guarantee you'll change your mind. Oh, you're probably wealthy enough to not make that choice. But some people aren't. Currently we live in an area that (unknown to us when we bought the house) is polluted by two industries that release toxic chemicals into the air with the production of their product. The health and well-being of myself and my family has suffered from it. And yes, we're trying our best to get out of here. But doing so depends on someone else buying our house, so they'll be exposed to it. Crappy moral quandary, there.

[nonibradshaw]

I am looking for an alternative to plastic in my freezer. I make tomato sauce and veggie stock in large batches. Can I freeze mason jars w/ liquid inside?

[hottmama]

Originally Posted by nonibradshaw

I am looking for an alternative to plastic in my freezer. I make tomato sauce and veggie stock in large batches. Can I freeze mason jars w/ liquid inside?

I hope you can because we do it!