Questions tagged [plastic]
A plastic material is any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids that are moldable. They are usually synthetic, most commonly derived from petrochemicals, but many are partially natural.
114
questions
0
votes
0
answers
27
views
Can I recycle plastic with paper stickers on it?
In similar vein to Is it ok to recycle glass bottles and jars with paper stickers on them?, I sometimes end up with pieces of plastic that have paper stickers on them. One common occurrence for me is ...
- 187
0
votes
2
answers
40
views
What kind of lenses used for eyewear doesn’t melt in the oven?
Hello and sorry for my silly question! I want to create a pair of sunglasses made of Fimo (polymer clay). I know, maybe no one did something like this, but I'm ambitious when it comes to nonsense. To ...
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
46
views
Does banning plastic bags really help protect the environment? I always re-use them as rubbish bags anyway
According to Wikipedia, there has been a global trend of banning plastic bags. But does it really help protect the environment?
In the past, I always re-used plastic bags as rubbish bags so I seldom ...
- 13
2
votes
1
answer
33
views
Can we do without plastic film without an explosive growth of food waste?
The big plastic says we need plastic films to make fresh produce last longer. It seems a bit of a stretch: after all, retailers can just buy less, just as much as they can sell. However, the demand is ...
- 1,653
0
votes
0
answers
24
views
Spinning plastic fibers out of molten plastic?
Can a machine intended for making cotton candy use used to make 100% recycled plastic fibers?
Perhaps it is possible to put molten plastic bottles and/or beverage containers inside of a cotton candy ...
- 139
1
vote
0
answers
72
views
Why can't plastic be used as a building material for cities?
There are a lot of items that require a lot of material. But this material should not be expensive.
We can fill large items with recycled plastic. No complex processing technology is needed here, but ...
2
votes
0
answers
36
views
Could microfiber shedding be slashed by using a proper detergent?
Is this a real thing or just greenwashing? This problem of microplastic seemed so huge it's hard to believe you could make such an enormous dent in it just using a right detergent
Offering consumers ...
- 1,653
1
vote
4
answers
111
views
What are the cons of storing plastic waste
Sorry for a silly question, I'm sure it was asked many times in different forms but I wasn't able to find any concrete answer so here we go.
So, I'm trying to understand what is the 'best' way of ...
- 111
0
votes
2
answers
68
views
Guidance for amateur recyclers
I'm interested in finding ways to decrease the fraction of my household waste that goes to landfill. One strategy for achieving this objective - in part if not in whole - is to change my purchasing ...
- 101
3
votes
0
answers
34
views
How can I get rid of old agricultural plastic?
The previous owners of my land laid down AG plastic, which has deteriorated over the years. Unable to roll and every time I mow I cut into it and goes everywhere, including my neighbor's (it is on the ...
4
votes
2
answers
92
views
How is "recovered ocean bound plastic" any different from recycled plastic?
I've started to see this phrase on things like credit cards and plastic bags: "contains recovered ocean-bound plastic."
At first, it sounds like something really positive -- this was made ...
- 11.8k
4
votes
1
answer
79
views
What type of bin liner is best for waste heading to landfill?
I found myself recently needing to purchase something to line my waste/landfill bins with. Up until now, I've been relying on a tub of single-use plastic bags that I've collected over the years, but ...
- 1,318
2
votes
2
answers
100
views
When did plastics become regarded as bad for the environment?
When did plastics become regarded as bad for the environment? I would like to have some valid references.
- 121
3
votes
0
answers
35
views
Why does color matter for PET recycling but not for HDPE recycling?
Why does color matter for PET recycling but not for HDPE recycling? I'm not sure about other countries, but in the place I live in the recycling plant that receives PET from recycling bins I use only ...
- 1,653
1
vote
1
answer
99
views
How is recycling of plastics beneficial to the climate?
How is recycling of plastics beneficial to the climate? Using PET flakes, for example, reduces your indirect demand for oil extraction, it's good. But if you break them down to monomers during ...
- 1,653
2
votes
1
answer
110
views
What is the impact of ongoing research of turning plastic into proteins?
I found this story regarding ongoing research of using bacteria to turn plastic into protein:
The team demonstrated that once the plastic is broken down by heat and a reactor, it can be fed to the ...
3
votes
2
answers
65
views
Environmental impact of using an extra bag to separate out plastic vs not separating
Recently I am facing a dilemma: I am living in The Netherlands and in this area it is encouraged to separate out plastic trash for recycling.
Usually my plastic trash consists of food packages and ...
2
votes
0
answers
33
views
Could synthetic fibers be environmentally-friendly, can you deal with the issue of microfibers?
Synthetic fibers make up the largest share of total apparel production and are expected to become even more common. They also, it seems, contribute to microplastic pollution more than anything else. ...
- 1,653
2
votes
2
answers
191
views
Can plastic be sustainable?
After all those scary stories about microplastics (I think you don't need references on that one), I was surprised to discover plastic solutions being suggested, even promoted you can say, in ...
- 1,653
1
vote
0
answers
103
views
Is UHT better for the environment even if the Tetra Paks aren't recycled
UHT is well known to be better for the environment, see e.g. https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn27898-so-many-milks-but-do-their-health-claims-really-stack-up/
However, our local council does not ...
- 111
1
vote
1
answer
95
views
Why not outlaw low density plastics that cause ocean pollution?
I know it costs. But we got rid of chlorofluorocarbons and are preparing to eliminate stuff like coal! This in between.
Proposal: By international agreement get rid of floatable PE, HDPE and PP and ...
- 11
4
votes
1
answer
119
views
Does plastic really degrade in a landfill?
There seems to be a lot of debate about whether, and how, plastic degrades in a landfill.
There are many different types of plastic, from polypropylene to polystyrene. With this variety, it seems ...
- 141
4
votes
1
answer
167
views
How effective are shrink plastic insulation kits for residential windows?
I live in an older home with windows that build up frost in the winter, which indicates they aren't insulated very well. I am thinking of installing kits like these over the windows:
However, before ...
- 11.8k
3
votes
2
answers
203
views
What alternatives exist for bean bag filler?
One of my kids has asked for a bean bag for their room. I'm hesitant, mainly because of the styrofoam/plastic filler beans which (I assume) are generally terrible for the environment when they ...
- 1,318
3
votes
0
answers
50
views
Is there a neutral LCA comparing wood to composite materials?
I have seen competing information about whether it's a more sound environmental choice to choose real wood or composite decking materials. Different conclusions are drawn depending on whether the ...
- 245
1
vote
1
answer
60
views
Biodegradable Food Packging
I am trying to figure out an application for a biodegradable packaging material a found out about. It is made from old or used potatoes or corn starch. I was thinking of using it in Pizza boxes to ...
3
votes
2
answers
480
views
Is Marine Plywood better than plastic for the environment?
I work for a brewery and we have recently started using 3mm thick 140x90mm Pump Clips on our taps instead of 2mm thick PVC Pump clips. These are the little plaques we see when we order a beer at the ...
- 31
6
votes
1
answer
3k
views
What plastics are safe/useful to melt?
I have seen a number of videos that talk about melting down HDPE and/or LDPE for craft projects. Some say these types of plastic are safer to some extent. I would like to do some crafts as well that ...
- 61
3
votes
5
answers
717
views
Is there a solution for flattening/reducing the volume of plastic recyclables in the home?
I've been having issues with my indoors storage solution for plastics. Loose wrappers and containers from food products tend to take an unnecessarily large amount of space and without a way to ...
- 63
3
votes
4
answers
565
views
Should I purchase new tins or plastic refills for chocolate powder?
A few brands of chocolate milk mix come in re-sealable tins like this:
It is also possible (and slightly cheaper) to buy 'refill packs', in order to reuse the tin. However, these refill packs are ...
- 1,318
2
votes
0
answers
29
views
Are American census bags recyclable?
Yesterday, I received my census questionnaire. So have many millions of other Americans, recently.
These bags are not labeled for recycling, but are they recyclable? Can I put them in the deposits at ...
- 121
0
votes
0
answers
42
views
Is there a recycled ABS that can be used for injection moulded parts?
Also if there is how is it recoloured and does it have any properties that are not as desirable as virgin ABS ? This would be better for the environment and more sustainable because it reuses plastic ...
- 105
2
votes
2
answers
89
views
Solution to zero-waste take-away cup containers?
The most common sustainable solution for soup takeaway (to-go) containers are those compostable cup and lid sets - made from plant-based plastic (PLA) lid and a paper/PLA cup.
These are basically non-...
3
votes
0
answers
21
views
Is it worth buying compostable dog poop bags instead of plastic if I'm going to throw them in regular trash bins? [duplicate]
I walk my dogs twice a day, pick up their poop with small disposable bags, and throw the bags in the first municipal trash bin I come across. They will presumably end up in a landfill.
I previously ...
- 313
3
votes
1
answer
268
views
Are single-use PurPod coffee pods from Ethical Bean made with PLA?
I'm purchasing "compostable" K-cup coffee pods from Ethical Bean (see attached photo) that work in Keurig single-serve coffee machines. According to their FAQ, these compostable pods are OK for the ...
- 2,849
2
votes
2
answers
101
views
Paper packaging once a day or plastic every second day?
I buy a lot of cottage cheese. There are two kinds of packagings available:
paper wrappings, which I buy one piece a day
plastic bag, of which one pack is enough for two days
Assuming that I can't ...
- 121
4
votes
2
answers
211
views
Distinguishing between polyethylene and polypropylene plastic food packaging for recycling
I want to recycle as much food packaging plastic films as possible (I'm willing to clean and dry them). As far as I know, food packaging films are only made from 3 types of plastic: polyethylene (PE), ...
- 141
5
votes
2
answers
986
views
What is the most sustainable packaging for milk?
When buying milk, there are three forms of available packaging: plastic containers, TetraPak, and glass bottles.
None of these forms of packaging are optimal - plastic containers are single-use, ...
- 301
4
votes
2
answers
95
views
Should I use a plastic trash bag for my recycling bin at home or not?
I want to have a recycling bin at home in addition to a trash bin.
Should I line my recycling bin with a trash bag and bag it up when it's full to toss in the dumpster's recycling bin? Or should I ...
- 141
2
votes
1
answer
105
views
Non-plastic straws in Germany?
I want to find non-plastic straws. Are there are any in Germany, that you can physically buy?
I live in Bavaria. I have a big Edeka, Rewe, Lidl and Rossmann nearby, but I am ready to travel "great" ...
- 165
2
votes
1
answer
327
views
Recycling : paper, plastic or aluminum, which one to choose, if only one?
Supposing I can focus only on one type of material to recycle, choosing from paper (card board etc), aluminum (can etc) or plastic (water bottle etc), then which choice of material will help the ...
- 121
4
votes
1
answer
74
views
Plastic incineration vs discarding considerations
Firstly, let me say, I am not pro-either. I just hear about people trying to save the environment (and putting an end to bad municipal 'dump site' behaviour) by rather burning their trash. This is ...
1
vote
3
answers
61
views
Any succesful initiatives for packaging material reuse?
I find that we are having more and more things delivered as opposed to buying in stores. This winter a few cardboard boxes with 10kg of oranges, several books, and just this week a fridge.
I was ...
- 313
0
votes
0
answers
70
views
How to sell shredded plastic in the UK?
I would like to purchase a shredding machine in order to shred plastic myself, I was wondering if there were any standards I'd need to watch out for and where I could find businesses willing to ...
- 109
4
votes
1
answer
124
views
In the UK, is it ok to recycle plastic food packaging along with carrier bags?
I live in the UK and do most of my groceries shopping online. At the same time I collect my order I can also hand back to the driver all carrier bags from my previous order (which is great).
Some ...
1
vote
1
answer
96
views
What actually happens to LDPE Type 4 plastic when it is recycled?
When LDPE Type 4 plastic used in plastic wrapping is recycled, what
is it used for?
- 121
1
vote
2
answers
144
views
What percentage of LDPE Type 4 plastic that you hand in to be recycled is in fact recycled?
What percentage of LDPE Type 4 plastic that you hand in to be recycled
is in fact recycled into something useful? I ask this because I read that China stopped
accepting plastic to be recycled ...
- 121
0
votes
1
answer
86
views
Is there any Pellet molder alternative? [closed]
Our groupmates have a research topic that includes making a plastic pellet. We have to think of an alternative way to produce plastic pellets out of melted HDPE plastic bags since we're still students ...
4
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Nike water bottle breakdown?
So many know that single use plastic water bottles break down with repeated use. Well the other day, I decided to buy a reusable water bottle. I am on a budget and picked up a Nike Hyperfuel 32oz. Its ...
- 41
3
votes
3
answers
176
views
What's the impact of throwing plastic in the bin?
There's a lot of fuss about reducing plastic usage, and one of the main reasons seems to be that otherwise it will end up in the environment, particularly the ocean. But if I dispose of the plastic ...
- 313