U.N. Talks: Plastic Edition

[@CorbiniteVids]

How in the world are we supposed to reduce plastic trash if we don't reduce the amount of disposable plastic produced? What mathematical sorcery are we relying on?

[@bionicspore]

Exponential growth everything all the time

[@rogue6827]

While I wholeheartedly agree with you. If I’m not mistaken the main conversation within the UN was more about recycling and waste management efforts.

[@jimmymifsud1]

It’s odd, because Japan is probably the most wasteful country in regards to plastic. However, they burn plastic not recycle it, but their furnaces have carbon capture… so it’s statistically not terrible…

[@r.0.b.429]

@@rogue6827plastic is hard to recycle with what little you can recycle in the first place. Don’t get me wrong recycle what you can but even if we lived in a world that prioritized recycling it’s just not close viable solution. At best it’s a nice extra.

[@MainlineThruTheRockies]

Moving to produce more recyclable plastic would help, rather than cutting plastic production entirely. Along with this, pushing recycling more would also help greatly with plastic pollution

[@Soguwe]

Non-binding means non-happening

[@adams3560]

Exactly.

[@nothanks9503]

Well let’s be fair it means they’ll follow it as much as they feel like which very well could be less than non

[@mr.hamster2337]

Russias economy relies heavily on fossil fuels. Not making money from them could cause huge economic losses and maybe even a collapse of Russia if they don’t diversify. But yes I agree with your point too

[@Yousef-lb4ip]

@@mr.hamster2337won’t they die if they keep using the fossil fuels(which will run out eventually anyway)

[@Ganz1ll3r]

​@@mr.hamster2337kinda exaggerating but on one hand ur right

[@pisoprano]

Our society has normalized *so many things* being plastic that don’t have to be, we absolutely should reduce our plastic production and replace as much as we can with more easily recycled materials, like metal, paper, or glass.

[@chris135x]

Believe it or not.... People DID use glass to bottle milk. Glass can easily be damaged but plastic can be more durable.

[@anorangutan828]

But if that’s what our society wants to do at large, the government has no right to step in and try to make consumer choices for them. If I want a plastic straw in my drink I shouldn’t be forced to not have that.

[@mildewmatthew]

Also, pretty much everything is going to get more expensive because we are going to go back to glass and metal. like plumbing, tools, medical equipment, food, glasses, etc, etc. This is because plastic while bad for the environment is fucking amazing for everything else it's cheap malleable and durable, it's no wonder that it's everywhere in day to day life

[@gamkht]

​@@anorangutan828ah yes, free choice is about having plastic straws, as Voltaire wrote about Come on man, everything has and should have regulations and limitations. Industry has standards to ensure consumer safety. In the same way. If we keep pumping plastic like this, the Earth is not gonna make it. Restrictions have to be put in place, especially for corporations that can afford to make changes, but won't because it'll get in the way of their huge profit margins

[@rojastegulu]

​@@chris135xwhat good does it do it being durable when it's single use??

[@Bryan-Cysive]

(Closes book) Like that will ever happen!

[@EEEEEEEE]

E

[@Trexzaz]

Amazing reference.

[@justincain2702]

Some...

[@JadenAizen]

🧍

[@thecapitalg]

"Like that's ever gonna happen!" "SOMEBODY-"

[@whattheblah8773]

noo not CORPORATION! i love CORPORATION! they have my best interests at heart 100%!

[@EEEEEEEE]

E

[@jonathanyun7817]

Yes! Look at all the great things CORPORATION have done for us! *gestures broadly*.

[@davidcaceres9184]

Everybody, remember that corporations are people too and will not commit atrocious acts for only $10,000 extra profits even though they have several millions

[@chris135x]

Oh yeah! Just like the government does, RIGHT?

[@chris135x]

​@@davidcaceres9184PLEASE remind me when a private business caused a Holocaust. DO IT REMIND ME! I guarantee that you don't know what you're talking about.

[@erebusaeon6945]

There's a reason "Reduce" is first on the list.

[@DebTheDevastator]

And why reuse is second.

[@therealspeedwagon1451]

“Refuse” is also on the long list too. Try to refuse the use of plastics whenever you can!

[@carbine090909]

Good point!

[@carbine090909]

​@therealspeedwagon1451 agree!! We don't have to wait for corporations to grow a soul, we can buy sustainable options, packaged in recyclable materials, and invest in companies that harvest materials from waste streams, now, today.

[@allmylettuce1969]

The world's oil producers are strangely against dialing back plastic production, strange.

[@anorangutan828]

What’s wrong with a business being for things that support their business? What do you expect them to do? Not want to be profitable? 😂

[@Hnagd]

@@anorangutan828The country shouldn’t be a business. A country should be run for the people first and the businesses seccond

[@anorangutan828]

@ right but businesses are essential for the people to thrive. Support of businesses leads to the support of the people that make them work aka the people.

[@akeleven]

We have to give up on the myth that we will run out of oil. Not as long as the wealthy make money off of it

[@TashiAsh-z7q]

@@anorangutan828 This is wrong and you know it. The reason companies support you is that they exploit others to get you what you want. Sweatshops are not for the people, mass cocoa farms are not for the people, and corporations are not for the people. We must fight against the will of the wealthy to preserve the needs of the working class

[@cymbalxirie290]

Well I for one look forward to doing my part in the upcoming Climate Wars

[@EEEEEEEE]

E

[@jonathanyun7817]

I feel like Steve Rogers in the super soldier infusion scene, but instead of strength and agility, I get microplastics and a lack of healthcare :)

[@pierregravel-primeau702]

It had already started. It is rich VS poors and rich have it almost too easy with all the toothless deplorables in the US...

[@GeoEstes]

Why wait? Start now. Try not to buy stuff that comes in plastic, install some solar panels, make your next car fuel efficient or even electric, and so on.

[@torinnbalasar6774]

​@@GeoEstes Even better, try a bike instead, and push for better bus and rail, now you cut the maintenance cost of a car out of your budget *and* eliminate another pollution source.

[@zachb.6179]

Gotta go upstream! To do anything about plastic pollution, we need to address plastic production

[@girlofanimation]

Exactly. Get to the root of the problem instead of solely bandaging it. And that goes for most issues

[@IDGAF_AboutYourLuckyCharms_238]

Yeah but no one wants to stop making the plastic money it’s cheaper so they prefer that versus having to do the right thing sickening.

[@jonathanyun7817]

​@@IDGAF_AboutYourLuckyCharms_238yay corporatocracy! yay capitalism! get involved with your local dsa chapter. There are people actually fighting this consumerist status quo, and that should give us hope and motivation in these dark times.

[@G1NZOU]

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, in that order.

[@Matt-the-Wise]

If that was true, then China wouldn't be #3 in plastic production but still be responsible for 92% of the oceanic plastic waste. The problem is that >90% of all plastic waste is single use food containers.

[@Bxu021]

I believe plastics should be permitted in medical settings because they play a crucial role in maintaining sterility. While instruments can be cleaned, the risk of contamination from improperly cleaned tools could significant, so it’s safer to err on the side of caution. But I do believe if possible in the future cheap and effective sterilization of reusable instruments would be useful, and helpful.

[@annekekramer3835]

Metal can do the same though, and if the entire production chain is set up properly, it can be completely sustainable and renewable. Emphasis on 'can', as its certainly not yet the case.

[@jonathanyun7817]

The vast majority of plastics consumption is in single use packaging. Dedicated medical equipment and niche aerospace applications have their place, but they are a *much* smaller part of the problem and do not deserve an equal amount of attention. The fundamental problem is (and has always been) consumerism and corporate power. That is the opium crisis of our modern world (in addition to the actual opium crisis hmm)

[@G1NZOU]

Also medical waste is normally incinerated I think, so it's not as much of a contributor to plastic pollution like food packaging and drinks bottles are.

[@JannieJubilee]

​@G1NZOU depends on the waste - biohazard and most pharmaceuticals are incinerated. Empty IV bags, tubing, wrappers, and non-contaminated PPE usually go into regular trash.

[@LibertyMonk]

In some role, plastic makes sense for medical use. And medical waste currently doesn't have a huge share of plastic pollution. But there are places where it should be looked at and minimized.

[@Hugealligator254]

Sad that humans as a species can’t come to a unanimous decision that polluting the planet they inhabit is bad.

[@crashnova7601]

(PFAS) are estimated to be in about (45% of U.S drinking water) according to a U.S geological survey. Note, the actual percentage is probably a lot higher. They only tested for 32 types of these (forever chemicals). There are over 12,000 of them. If you're interested in knowing more, i've added (parentheses) around key search words here to do so.

[@jsguinomhay1097]

They don't even know what PFAS stands for. Nice try tho❤👍

[@jsguinomhay1097]

..or care😅

[@molo6011]

@@jsguinomhay1097then dont comment lmfao🤭

[@kv4648]

The Texas coast is one of the most plastic polluted places on Earth

[@DoctorSkillz]

This lady and her fuzzy ball pen. 😂 Never gets old.

[@ItsMeAshley0347]

That fact that there is plastic in brewing tea bags is a clear sign plastic production is out of control and needs to dial back

[@chris135x]

And how does plastic get into the tea bags? Are we just saying things?

[@tidbit1877]

@@chris135x It's micro-plastics, they are in everything from the air we breath to the water we drink, and they are totally unavoidable, there is literally nothing you can do about it, it's like the bugs you eat when you're sleeping, it just is. But we can stop putting any more out there and keep the numbers lower than if we did nothing. And maybe one day we will figure out a way to filter them out of our environment.

[@KFoxtheGreat]

​@@chris135x​ because the bags are made of plastic, either partially through PVC glues or completely out of materials like nylon. Not sure if that answers your questions, but it is an example of one of the many ways giving into modern convenience culture can be harmful to our health and how plastic has invaded so many areas of our lives.

[@Honïe4]

The World: literally on fire UN:

[@claraelisabeth1482]

I would like to suggest: the law of conservation of mass AND the myth of recycling

[@literalsarcasm1830]

If you can't be a part of the solution, there's money to be made in prolonging the problem.

[@to_tire]

At this level it seems insane that some countries are not in favour of dialling back plastic production

[@themickymousewaffle6837]

We are too far gone at this point. Also we have adapted the use of plastic in everything already. Just gonna make everything more expensive if we can’t use plastic in everyday things like a water bottle.

[@to_tire]

@@themickymousewaffle6837 "It's been agreed the whole world stinks so no one's taking showers anymore"

[@thetasworld]

Yes, let's leave these issues to those that gain millions from earth's destruction...

[@jordanmcgrory2171]

The stuff has to be made to become waste. If you stop making it, it can't become waste.

[@McSeal]

I love it when old dudes that don't got long to live make a decision that will affect everyone who's gonna live for the next decades for the worse. Honestly, a bit surprised USA is the top contributor.

[@LighteningS7]

The USA is a horrible country, I’m not quite sure how that’s a surprise to you.

[@Rutabega_NG]

You are? Really? Huh. I'm not. We have a very disposable culture. Corporations are always looking to increase profits, unsustainable but that's the goal, always increase profits. If you're a manufacturer of goods, the way to create profits is to create a market. The way to create a market is to create obsolescence or single use products. If you have a product that will be obsolete in a few years, you've created a larger market. If you have a product that can only be used once, you have created a larger market. We have a disposable culture. Everything can be thrown away and replaced. This is why.

[@akeleven]

It's about money not age. There's plenty of ruthless young CEOs and billionaires

[@kindallnight1615]

@@akelevenwe do but they get to see the consequences unlike an old man who doesn’t.

[@commonsense5441]

“We support reducing pollution but don’t support doing anything about it”

[@Jchan4477]

COMPANY PRODUCTION NEEDS TO BE MASSIVELY RESTRICTED

[@LillyP-xs5qe]

They should just not allowed countries with clear bias to be involved

[@perceiveandeceive]

We need to stop allowing these important international institutions to bend to the will of any country...

[@haruhisuzumiya6650]

Or companies

[@jesse5777]

This is why I hate all politicians…. Feed us a bunch of bullsht but then giant corporations write a check and then it’s blah blah blah bullsht political dance around the question and do what’s right for the billionaires.

[@andrewdrost6786]

Nothing on this earth lasts forever. Except maybe plastic.

[@yellowfelloh]

hey guys! let's circle back next year. and if we can't come to a conclusion then, there's always next year! and the next. and the next. and the next. and the next. and the next.

[@nathangerber1547]

I think the best approach is to maximize environmental benefits while minimizing the impact on daily life. I think the way to do that is limiting plastic packaging for non perishable items. We need plastics for food and beverages and for making products, but those products can totally come in a cardboard box instead of a plastic vacuum packed container.

[@EmeraldPencil46]

Plastic is amazing. Single use plastic is horrible. There is a massive difference between them. We should 100% ban single use plastics. Their use is also exclusively for convenience and cost reduction. “Structural” plastics or any plastic meant to last is a great material. The phone you’re holding, the chair you’re sitting it, the car you drive, plastic is a massive part to them. They’re beneficial to us, and banning production of them would be stupid. Cheap plastic products that aren’t meant to last are also another issue. Things like Legos are fairly fine as you don’t typically throw them out, but dollar store beach toys, while reusable, are gonna be thrown out after a trip or two. It’s mostly China with that type of stuff, cause the government doesn’t care.

[@piplane7225]

Absolutely spot on commentary

[@jakubchloe]

More simplfied way of saying this probably: _"we should talk about plastic pollution."_ *"yeah its bad"* "I agree" _"so... what are we going to do about it?"_ *"Anyways, theres this new..."*

[@Mrderpsalotz]

I also love getting nothing done on major issues

[@Hann-YT-]

Definitely my favorite in the hand movements department just so much emotion. I love it.

[@crazyt1483]

My opinion is there should be a tax on virgin plastics that is tied to the cost to recycle. This will hopefully tip the scales enough to make recycling more appealing. Also another issue is just out and about recycling and the lack of it.

[@MAL1GNANT]

Recycling? No. Destroy the plastics.

[@NastySmash]

I love the little minions in the back waving their wands looking all sassy.

[@tokumeiokano4154]

Why are they so scared of nicer packaging…? Not everything needs to be shrink wrapped.

[@bobg9922]

Well the silver lining is that they are talking about it.

[@GimmeTOKYO]

this looping on this is so crisp

[@tuckersabath2099]

Wast mgnt isnt cutting it, thats the most important thing weved learnd from internal company docs that agrees with outside research. So a chang in the recipies along with better cleanup programs and public engagement sounds better.

[@alterrush5930]

I’m so surprised that *check notes* the world’s largest plastic producers and user doesn’t want to reduce plastic production!!! Genuinely shocked!

[@bejoysen4468]

People will say a one world government is naive and dangerous, but then expect 196 countries to unanimously agree to get anything done.

[@berny5790]

I work in plastic production and man are the ceos making bank. Plastic production at my plant has kind of increased but waste is crazy, we recycle alot but there’s so much that can’t and is just in micro and macro plastic form. Literal tons of plastic that gets sent to landfills

[@Fiddlers-Green42]

Lol they've already given up trying to save the climate, its all about getting the highest score now before the game ends

[@BladeLigerV]

I like the idea of stopping plastic that is intentionally disposable like clam shell packaging. And I would like local governments to make it easier to recycle plastic.

[@WenzelSays]

switch to zerowaste alternatives where possible. if enouh consumers stop buying plastic products it stops being financially incentivizing to produce them. and then theres less pressure against banning them. im currently duing my graduate thesis on the subject. its grim my dudes. however bad you think the problem is, its worse, and then its worse than that

[@Rutabega_NG]

To what degree should we stop using plastic? Should we go back to glass and wire for vision? I'm old enough to remember glass when glasses were still glass. They're heavy. If my current prescription were glass, I would be in constant pain. There's the phone I'm using to watch this video and respond. It is also loaded with plastic. The blanket and sweatsuit I'm wearing to keep from having to turn up my furnace includes plastic in the form of polyester. The car I drive that is significantly lighter and therefore more fuel-efficient than a car of the same size from 50 years ago has a considerable amount of plastic in it. So I suppose my question boils down to do you propose an alternative in your thesis? A viable alternative? We do need to reduce our dependence on plastic, no argument from me on that. What do we use instead?

[@zhozan13]

The problem in the US is everything is covered in plastic especially in supermarkets filled with single use plastic. Oranges come in plastic bags, lettuce in plastic containers, meat wrapped in plastic. I've called headquarters and they say we care about the environment and we take the plastic back. Not the containers and they can't be recycled in the US because our recycling infrastructure doesn't recycle this kind of plastic. It's frustrating.

[@kiras3180]

Polymers are a waste byproduct from power companies. They could be charged 100% of the cost of production and it would still be cheap to them because what else are they going to do with their waste?

[@tidbit1877]

Switching to zero waste alternatives is not an option for most people; we absolutely cannot rely on the public at large to solve these problems; the only viable way to combat climate change is from the top through the use of government regulations. The Carbon Tax is a really good start.

[@tidbit1877]

@@Rutabega_NG We got by just fine before plastics and we have even better technology today and way more tin and aluminium which can be infinitely recycled. There are different solutions for each product but pulp and paper/wood products are one option, plastics manufactured from plant oils is another option. Cotton, wool, and leather products are sustainable options for clothing and textiles, and plant and animal based polymers can be used with almost any aggregate material to make a nice plastic like veneer for the interior of your car. But the bottom line is that if you have to wear heavier spectacles so that humanity can go on surviving on this rock then for peats sake! Wear the heavier spectacles! At this point it is literally do or die, if we do nothing for the next decade then we are doomed forever.

[@-ism8153]

This is why we do it ourselves. Avoid buying plastic if you can.

[@astrocoastalprocessor]

whatever happened to plant plastics 🤔🤔 were they not 100% plant starch?

[@pierregravel-primeau702]

It doesn't really exist. You can find starch bag that decompose in few days but are quite useless outside of organic waste disposal. Plus they cost a lot.

[@haruhisuzumiya6650]

Technology is currently too expensive

[@DegenerateToo]

I’m surprised paper mills and production has not made a significant comeback!!! 😮

[@Vospader21]

We first need to start with a viable alternative to plastic to completely replace it. Lots of materials are being explored for this purpose we have to prop those efforts up before we can consider ending our reliance on single use plastics.

[@zacharywalker524]

I support reducing plastic production

[@MailandStudios]

In my opinion, we should be managing the waste. Either that or make biodegradable options more durable whenever I get like a paper straw, I feel dread because I know that paper store is gonna last like 10 minutes.

[@maxinesenior596]

that's such a smooth loop

[@legendary_soup4454]

Have you been to Japan? The plastic packaging is out of control. They burn it so it doesn't take up space in their land fills.

[@Jack-4v]

That not healthy

[@legendary_soup4454]

@Jack-4v yet they are one of the healthiest countries.

[@Jack-4v]

@legendary_soup4454 Yes and no, are we talking body health or mental health

[@MAL1GNANT]

That's a non argument. Are you slow?​@@legendary_soup4454

[@donaldhanning1359]

Yo if the science is right about micro-plastics I think we might just have to evolve with it. Well not, us obviously, but us as in humanity. It really feels like a "we evolve with it or die out" kind of situation. Not that i believe that's any excuse to not at least try reducing the amount of plastics.

[@KingK2205]

Trump will take a dump on this.

[@themickymousewaffle6837]

Yes bc we evolve around plastic, and I don’t want the gov telling me I need to use a paper straw in a plastic cup

[@FddDjdj-j1e]

And before they knew it, it's 2050 and every coastal city is flooded with a average 10c increase.

[@cultofsucc5807]

Waste management is better slowing or halting plastic production is wayyyy down the line it’s such a vital part of tons of industry. Focusing on reducing harm is better for the short term

[@Zombiemancz]

Well, that went nowhere

[@alexplantum177]

US: what can I say? *supercilious shrug* I simply belong in first

[@darkjack37]

If you think bottles of water are excessive, think about how many plastic cards since the 2000s that are junked when they are no longer needed.

[@Parfait133]

Why not both

[@basbekjenl]

I find it tragic that as scientific and secular we believe ourselves to be we can't even all agree to acknowledge the evidence. In the information age ignorance is a choice and I find it disheartening to see even myself choose ignorance more and more as I get older and more tired.

[@MiriamMillen]

And this is why we can't have nice things....

[@josiahhumber4775]

I’ve had to stop eating at my grandmothers house for this very reason

[@Andy_M.S.c]

Me when bioplastics exist and are already in our food-compatible tupperware like PLA. Why ban it and not focus on the better types?

[@pierregravel-primeau702]

Because it doesn't exist and cost way too much for single use packaging. Plus diverting millions and millions of tons of food to make plastic with it will create hunger for millions of people.

[@Andy_M.S.c]

@@pierregravel-primeau702 It doesn't exist??? 😆tf?? Also, what do you prefer, having to eat less corn or having your city look like the garbage patch in the middle of the ocean

[@TheClayTaco]

This seems bad but this is a step in the right direction

[@user-xz4du3es5p]

We need to heavily subsidize hemp farming worker co-operatives & the creation of hemp plastics.

[@MonteBlancNolan]

So I just checked this out cause it sounded off. Apparently these are separated by plastic waste and plastic pollution. America produces the most amount of plastic waste, but it is able to effectively manage it so that it is not even in the top 20 producers of plastic pollution. Do with that information what you will.

[@vuway-]

This will only ever affect the countries that decide to play ball useless

[@Fr00stee]

why can't they simply produce more multi-use plastic products and less single use? Would fix the pollution problem quite fast

[@ferociousfeind8538]

One-use plastics, the stuff that makes up bubble wrap (as an example) and goes as a film around, like, 6 packs of soda. That shit needs to go yesterday. It's so unbelievably wasteful, it's incredibly overused by all packing industries and it definitionally can't be reused (what are you going to use it for, huh?)

[@TheOriginalJphyper]

I'd like to help, but if I don't buy food in disposable plastic, then I just plain don't buy food.

[@MsHarpsychord]

Food does not need to be wrapped in plastic. Batteries do not need to be wrapped in plastic Items made from wood, steel, aluminium and iron do not need to wrapped in plastic.

[@themickymousewaffle6837]

Phones do, glasses, and lots of other things

[@jamesmcabla1772]

Deny. Defend. Depose.

[@grantbosworth6418]

So it’s just never gonna happen

[@criscat1750]

Maybe it is a good idea to stop producing the polymer that cant be broken down or without releasing toxic chemicals when its burned. And find a solution to properly disposing of said polymer?

[@emrouse02]

Why say 5 dozen countries when you can say over 60???

[@drake713]

Sweden: the word PLASTIC is EVIL! So this guy who made "plastic" bags out of homegrown bamboo is the first we ruin, oh and we're hiking prices at the store from 0.050 to 0.70 usd. "What do you mean it's not plastic at the store how is a plastic bag made out of sugarcane and recyclable?" Everyone carry their own reusable bag now and the big chains are like "please, we're breaking our backs, we promise to lower the costs once the high-price stock is used up!".

[@ashleyguthrie572]

Hey! Here's an idea!! One important aspect to waste management is, stick with me here because this is gonna sound crazy, MANAGING THE AMOUNT OF WASTE YOU OUTPUT TO BEGIN WITH!!

[@treyp3541]

The only thing we can do is reduce the sales of it but we all know people working >60 hrs don't have time or money to research that. I've made some progress but it's difficult

[@5amiann]

Stop buying it and using it - all you can.

[@leetpcguy]

It simply makes too much money

[@Noelsterrr]

We're all screwed 😅

[@jbridge7962]

That's funny stuff. I can't believe some people think the UN does anything.

[@Glorpusvideos]

This is why nothing will ever get done “We need to change this thing!” Everyone: I agree! “We have to do this or this” Half of everyone: sure Other half: no way, I’d rather dies Ok we will try again next year

[@chris135x]

The left leaning people want plastic gone but they have no replacement for it.....

[@Wosp-the-diver]

​​@@chris135xas we all know plastic has always existed and we have never used anything before it, not like your grandfather used other things that we could use now

[@chris135x]

@Wosp-does-stuff We did use glass before plastics........ We used natural things like glass, paper and cardboard.

[@Glorpusvideos]

@@chris135x already deleted his comment

[@HD-mp6yy]

​@@chris135xAre you willing to pay more for literally everything.

[@clpasztor]

These meetings are only useful insofar as in the future, they’ll know exactly who to blame.

[@lightabyss9417]

0 mention on how the chinese refused to cooperate…

[@raykidd6693]

Change happens from bottom up,

[@Johnny_Matheson]

They really thought they did something sneaking that "Rwanda" in there above 60 other countries.

[@jonahszaro3545]

Rwanda is actually one of the leading countries in plastic elimination. They have relatively strict laws about bringing plastic into the country and how items are packed. They are extremely vocal in the UN regarding plastic regulations.

[@ShaquilleOatmeal524]

I want to stop pollution and all but what do we replace plastic production with

[@mobrocket]

Depends on the application Paper / cardboard can be used to replace a lot of packaging and single use plastics

[@i_am_me_0019]

Like the guy above me said, there are a lot of times plastic isn’t necessary. For example, grocery stores. We can do better than selling strawberries in plastic boxes. Also plastic bags can be replaced with paper or reusable ones.

[@annekekramer3835]

Other options are metal and glass. You know, like it used to be back in the '50s and '60s. You don't NEED a plastic bottle, it can be glass. If something needs to be stored for a long time and it needs to be air tight, metal cans would work just fine.

[@CorbiniteVids]

There's also biodegradable bioplastics that are fully viable in certain situations. And I'm not even talking about newer corn based ones that require very specific conditions to degrade. Cellophane is fully biodegradable and you don't need a digester or anything for it. Just throw it in the ground. And it USED to be the norm for food packaging so we know it's viable. But it's almost all been replaced with petroleum plastics by now (which we now colloquially call cellophane even though it's not real cellophane)

[@cmhoax6951]

​@@i_am_me_0019 it's funny that 20 years ago we made the argument that paper bags were bad and needed to be replaced with plastics, oh how the world changes

[@WigglyTuffStuff]

I need those UN people to walk into a walmart when they have a ton of stuff on clearance clogging a walkway that goes halfway through the store, while the entire store is still normal full. Just a holding cell for expelled and molded plastic. There is no real way to approach plastic pollution. As soon as you make the plastic, it starts sloughing off microplastic pollution. It's useful but it's so harmful.

[@maniv100]

so what do you suggest to replace the plastic production? i hear a lot of bullshit but no actual solutions. very classic of the UN

[@DarkX64]

Why do we even get any news about the UN anymore? It's all talk about doing better and then doing *nothing*

[@jessberch7041]

Plastic production needs to be reduced it’s unavoidable and burying our heads in the sand and acting like we can find some nice way around it makes the problem worse

[@Blade2point0]

You can't spell unnecessary without UN

[@deathdrone6988]

How about getting shipping companies to stop wrapping every small thing in multiple layers of bubble-wrap and plastic film? Use shredded paper or at least reusable foam...

[@themickymousewaffle6837]

Cuz they aren’t as cheap or don’t work at protecting the item unlike platic

[@Respectable_Username]

Why can't the countries that _did_ agree just make an agreement amongst themselves? Having to have unanimity to make _any_ progress is just a recipe for bad actors to take advantage

[@therealMCAT]

the U.S. not acting in the interest of the health and safety of its people. AGAIN.

[@tmanharp]

Nice plastic sunglasses you have on there. It's always someone else's job to fix the problem, not your own, right?