this post was submitted on 29 Jul 2024
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Today I Learned (TIL)

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You learn something new every day; what did you learn today?

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[–] [email protected] 21 points 4 months ago (3 children)

I’m glad that we switched to recyclable plastics a while back. Imagine how fucked things would be if we didn’t

[–] [email protected] 22 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I think with plastics the situation is not that great because of the complexities in processing

[–] [email protected] 24 points 4 months ago

It’s worse, because we were sold a direct lie of “save the trees, choose plastic” in the 90s.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 months ago

I'm becoming a big fan of literal t-shirt bags. Cut the sleeves off, sew the shoulders so they don't fray, sew the torso opening, do something with the neck hole if needed. It's maybe 5 minutes of work and 50 cents at the local donation store. Now you have a cool, fairly customized bag you can make from various sizes.

Compact, washable, light-weight, strong and cheap.

[–] otherbarry 4 points 4 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago

I knew I should have added the /s

[–] [email protected] 15 points 4 months ago

"a used can is able to be recycled and ready for consumer use again in as little as 60 days."

https://www.generalkinematics.com/blog/life-cycle-of-aluminum-can/

[–] [email protected] 10 points 4 months ago

Today I learned nothing. Bad link.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 months ago (2 children)

Friendly reminder that alu cans contain plastic. And recycling still requires resources.

Personally I think it's totally fine to enjoy yourself, but to do so consciously.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

Friendly reminder that glass contains no plastic. And recycling glass still requires virgin glass.

And that reusing glass requires very little energy. Switch to glass. Use deposit programs. If you don't have a deposit program, lobby your representative to tax single-use plastic and single-use aluminum, and establish a glass deposit system.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 months ago

It's true, and it's problematic, but the plastic lining in an aluminium can is super thin, since it doesn't need to be structural. As far as resource use goes, it's still way better. It's best to look for improvements, and not to let the search for perfection block you from a marginal gain.

If you're going to re-use, use glass, where possible. If you're not, aluminium is still the better choice.

We should have higher deposits on cans and bottles. Here, it's been pegged at 5 cents since the 90s - it should be more like 25 cents now for cans, or a dollar for glass bottles.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 months ago

Beep... Link updated ...Boop