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I thought we can just bury it. Let the anaerobic bacteria takes its time to break it down. I never understand why we ship to other countries and let it all fall into the precious ocean killing the fish. Its not like we dont have lots of land here.
Ok perhaps most our land is privately owned, or is some kind of natural reserve. But lets face it, there are places that are hurting economically, and the land values not much, or there are wealthy people sitting on land speculating for however long it takes. It is not helping society we should just take it back by eminent domain. Anyone who is hurting economically, and owns RE that is declining in value should welcome a purchase at a fair price.
A lot of plastic wastes are just burned. Even when plastics are buried, many types take hundreds of years to be broken down. What's especially concerning is the incineration of flame retardant plastics and polymers that are used in all sorts of electronics and other consumer goods. The basic molecular structure contains a lot of fluorinated molecular backbones because it makes the materials flame resistant. The problem is that when you burn the stuff they can form newer types of fluorinated molecules or release the fluorinated components into the atmosphere. Fluorinated molecules are extremely stable and are often impossible to biologically break down. They bioaccumulate and may pose health risks that are yet unknown, the big worry being the impact on reproduction, fertility, development, and disruption of normal endocrine/hormonal physiology.
Scientists can now detect plastic derived pollutants (due to burning) in areas of the North and South Pole. Every human on Earth now basically has detectable levels of persistent organic pollutants (often from plastic) in their blood stream. It is unknown how much of an impact it is having on human health. People often wonder why there seems to be more allergies, more cases of autism and other developmental disorders these days. Who knows if it is because of persistent organic pollutants.....
A lot of plastic wastes are just burned. Even when plastics are buried, many types take hundreds of years to be broken down. What's especially concerning is the incineration of flame retardant plastics and polymers that are used in all sorts of electronics and other consumer goods. The basic molecular structure contains a lot of fluorinated molecular backbones because it makes the materials flame resistant. The problem is that when you burn the stuff they can form newer types of fluorinated molecules or release the fluorinated components into the atmosphere. Fluorinated molecules are extremely stable and are often impossible to biologically break down. They bioaccumulate and may pose health risks that are yet unknown, the big worry being the impact on reproduction, fertility, development, and disruption of normal endocrine/hormonal physiology.
Scientists can now detect plastic derived pollutants (due to burning) in areas of the North and South Pole. Every human on Earth now basically has detectable levels of persistent organic pollutants (often from plastic) in their blood stream. It is unknown how much of an impact it is having on human health. People often wonder why there seems to be more allergies, more cases of autism and other developmental disorders these days. Who knows if it is because of persistent organic pollutants.....
Using plastics in road making would not be burned.
Are you suggesting the other animals aren't ignorant? If they were capable of creating advanced technology they would, and they would trash the planet the way we are.
No other creature on earth destroys it own habitat other that humans. Ignorance? How more ignorant is it to be cognitive of the consequence of burning fossil fuels, the use of materials not biodegradable, etc., and even given this knowledge continue to fill our oceans with plastic and our air with CO2, methane, etc?
I have never seen a bird build a nest in a tree and then burn the tree down. However, we have all seen the mass destruction of forests throughout of the world all done with the single purpose of profit.
Humans...advanced? They have polluted the very air they breath, polluted the water they drink, and continue the same abuses when their own scientists have issued dire outcomes of those abuses.
I will agree on one thing. Humans are certainly the most destructive force the earth has ever seen.
A lot of plastic wastes are just burned. Even when plastics are buried, many types take hundreds of years to be broken down. What's especially concerning is the incineration of flame retardant plastics and polymers that are used in all sorts of electronics and other consumer goods. The basic molecular structure contains a lot of fluorinated molecular backbones because it makes the materials flame resistant. The problem is that when you burn the stuff they can form newer types of fluorinated molecules or release the fluorinated components into the atmosphere. Fluorinated molecules are extremely stable and are often impossible to biologically break down. They bioaccumulate and may pose health risks that are yet unknown, the big worry being the impact on reproduction, fertility, development, and disruption of normal endocrine/hormonal physiology.
Scientists can now detect plastic derived pollutants (due to burning) in areas of the North and South Pole. Every human on Earth now basically has detectable levels of persistent organic pollutants (often from plastic) in their blood stream. It is unknown how much of an impact it is having on human health. People often wonder why there seems to be more allergies, more cases of autism and other developmental disorders these days. Who knows if it is because of persistent organic pollutants.....
I would think the large scale use of HFC refrigerants does this a lot more than burning plastic.
I agree with critics that abrasion from traffic would release even more impossible to contain microplastics into the environment, so while I applaud the students' ingenuity, I don't think this is an appropriate solution to plastic pollution.
I posted this earlier
From the article...“It’s important that our plastics all fully homogenize into the mix,†MacReber wrote in a company frequently asked questions section. “There are therefore no plastics present in the end asphalt – just a polymer-modified bitumen. So no microplastics are in the end asphalt mix, and no leaching of any plastics can occur.â€
Very much trying to control plastic production or do away with it. They are replacing plastic forks at Jack In the Box with wooden forks. At Wal-Mart stores they have replaced the plastic bags. Not all stores are following this rule though. The restaurants that have take out orders are still giving out plastic forks and plastic bags. They say it is bad for the environment. Do you know how many people in America use these utensils and plastic bags? A lot. I fail to see how a politician can start by making an argument that it pollutes our environment. Then implement a no plastics allowed. But the politicians are trying to get rid of the plastics. Still they are making these items. As long as there is a demand for plastic forks and knives, and plastic bags, I don't think they'll stop producing these items. As for the harming of the environment? Big deal.Business is business.And we need these items on hand.
Go back to glass bottles. It worked for many years. I can remember getting soda bottles with the print barely readable. Put a deposit on them. But folks are so damn lazy today they'd rather just throw the plastic bottle on the ground. Same with aluminum cans, put a deposit on them.
Sounds great. Years ago I saw a video of using ground up old tires as part of the mix in repaving roads. Now if cost and life expectancy of the new road is close to the old way, then I say go for it.
Which one? Clearly they must be about 4 separate yet important aspects of the discussion?
Quote:
2018 article
2020 McPaper piece
same 2018 piece/premise
Website for company involved in said "shiny new thing"
I guess #2 - at least it's 2020, and not the company's website
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