Also regarding the toxicity of plastics. Some were very harmful, like polycarbonate, which was used for baby bottles. Also, PVC, which releases endocrine disruptors. But "ordinary" plastics like PE aren't very worrying, according to what I've read. Caterpillars eat them, and some bacteria manage to break them down. So significantly reducing quantities by eliminating single-use plastics and ensuring that plastics are recycled through appropriate incineration is OK. Old plastics should be considered as valuable fuel. Even if it's not eco-glorious, incineration is 1,000 times better than having plastic waste braking down everywhere.
Robert - thanks for adding to the conversation here! Really interesting stuff! By the way, my solar drippers are out in my garden taking good care of my tomato plants!
Interesting this reflection on plastics and risks. For my part, here in France, I have a rather optimistic vision if we implement two major changes in our way of purchasing. First, we must deposit the containers to make them reusable several times. For example, in Germany, Cola is already bottled in a returnable 80g PET bottle that can be easily reused 20 times. It can then be used for another 10 years for watering the garden with the Solar-Dripper. And finally, I believe that plastics must be considered as a fuel usable for heating. Recycling into "new plastic" is rarely profitable and often results in mediocre plastics. Slightly dirty or mixed plastic always burns easily and locally in a suitable boiler.
Links on caterpillars eating polyethylene: https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/caterpillar-found-to-eat-shopping-bags-suggesting-biodegradable-solution-to-plastic-pollution
and https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/04/world/caterpillars-plastic-scn/index.html
Biology is amazing. Evolutionary adaptation never ceases to surprise!
Also regarding the toxicity of plastics. Some were very harmful, like polycarbonate, which was used for baby bottles. Also, PVC, which releases endocrine disruptors. But "ordinary" plastics like PE aren't very worrying, according to what I've read. Caterpillars eat them, and some bacteria manage to break them down. So significantly reducing quantities by eliminating single-use plastics and ensuring that plastics are recycled through appropriate incineration is OK. Old plastics should be considered as valuable fuel. Even if it's not eco-glorious, incineration is 1,000 times better than having plastic waste braking down everywhere.
Robert - thanks for adding to the conversation here! Really interesting stuff! By the way, my solar drippers are out in my garden taking good care of my tomato plants!
Super ! Glad to ear this. You can try this new method to grow directly from an earth bag. Also urine fertilizer is wonderfull. https://solar-dripper.com/cultivez-dans-un-sac-de-terreau/
Interesting this reflection on plastics and risks. For my part, here in France, I have a rather optimistic vision if we implement two major changes in our way of purchasing. First, we must deposit the containers to make them reusable several times. For example, in Germany, Cola is already bottled in a returnable 80g PET bottle that can be easily reused 20 times. It can then be used for another 10 years for watering the garden with the Solar-Dripper. And finally, I believe that plastics must be considered as a fuel usable for heating. Recycling into "new plastic" is rarely profitable and often results in mediocre plastics. Slightly dirty or mixed plastic always burns easily and locally in a suitable boiler.