We keep hearing about plastics, microplastics and now nanoplastics.
First thing, that "stat" that you eat a credit card's worth of plastic each week is complete bunk. The BBC More or Less looked into this. It's not off by 2X or 10X. It's off by more like 1000X to 10,000X for most people.
Second thing, if that credit card of plastic were in small pellets, there would be no worry - they would pass through you.
What researchers are increasingly worried about are nanoplastics that can weedle their way into cells and apparently cross the blood-brain barrier.
https://www.futurity.org/removing-nanoplastics-from-water-3245722/
<time warp>
https://www.thetimes.com/uk/science/article/how-avoid-microplastics-brain-bottled-water-23fr6pl58
QuoteDitching bottled water and using glass containers for leftovers could slash your exposure to the tiny particles, a study suggests
It would be real nice to get rid of those water bottles.
I've seen some state & local governments moving (slowly) toward charging vendors for plastic pollution. I think this issue has gotten more attention with the increasing awareness that Big Plastic lied about recycling.
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Also, stuff like this..
Scientists make 'disturbing' find on remote island: plastic rocks
https://phys.org/news/2023-03-scientists-disturbing-remote-island-plastic.html
I'm trying to envision what would replace plastic water bottles and pop bottles.
I remember:
Steel cans: both pre-pop top ("church key required") and poptop. The big complaint was steel cans made beer taste different. Might be okay for water if you put a screw lid on it.
Glass bottles: heavy and a heck of a lot of broken glass on streets and sidewalks. Put a deposit on them and might work with a screw lid.
Cartons - used to be waxed cardboard but in 2025 would probably use lots of plastic coatings which defeats the purpose. Also problem of resealing unused portion.
Aluminum cans - seems like overkill for some water.
I think the best solution is everybody carry their own reusable container and have plenty of public water fountains.
2021: Coca-Cola company trials first paper bottle
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-56023723
2024: Coca-Cola lowers ambition with new 2035 packaging and sustainability targets
https://www.esgdive.com/news/coca-cola-new-packaging-sustainability-goals-2035/734618/
2025: Coca-cola says it could use more plastic due to Trump tariffs
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3vp4dp90qqo
I don't believe anything they say about recycling plastic. The plastic industry poisoned the well by lying about recycling for decades and we are still at - maybe 5% plastic recycling.
And even if it is recycled plastic, a certain amount of bottles, bags and whatever are always going to be tossed out and pollute some waterway in ways that other materials do not.
Quote from: buckworks on March 16, 2025, 06:06:38 AMusing glass containers
We got rid of plastic storage containers years ago. Water bottles are all steel now except when weight really matters (climbing, running). Then we go back to plastic bottles or bladders.
A doctor friend who studied the issue has gotten rid of all plastic in the kitchen - spatulas, mixing bowls, cutting boards. We still have some of each.
Historical note: one of the first serious pushbacks on the consumer packaged goods industry came I. The 1950s in Vermont. They were going to outlaw single use glass bottles. People were throwing them from their cars and cows were cutting this lips and tongues grazing near the road.
>road
Have you ever bought unscreened road shoulder topsoil brokered from the DOT? It is so rich-looking ...soot black. I don't know where it comes from but there is still a crapload of glass chips in it.
I am guessing the black is not yummy nutritious soils but rather little bits of tire. All that tire wear goes somewhere
>little bits of tire
I hadn't thought of that. Yeah, it's tire soot mixed with asphalt soot, exhaust particles, cigarette butts, glass chips, bottle caps, bits of foil, vehicle dirt & grime, and grass clippings.
>nutritious soils
IIRC, plants love it.