Comments on: What You Can Do About The Overwhelming Problem of Plastic Packaging

By: Jo Anne Gonnella

Jo Anne Gonnella — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 15:50:03 +0000

I only buy loose veggies, I make my own yogurt – no longer “recycling” plastic containers and will not buy clothing made from plastic materials. Also I only use my reusable grocery bags and have begun weaving grocery bags gathering plastic bags to be used as the weft in the weaving process.

By: Betsy

Betsy — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 00:59:30 +0000

We recently started using beeswax wraps in place of plastic wrap or plastic storage containers. There’s a learning curve, but it’s been a fun swap!

By: Rose Garrett

Rose Garrett — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 16:11:23 +0000

In reply to Greg Swob.

HI Greg, you might be interested in this recent story about recycling plastic waste on farms: https://modernfarmer.com/2024/02/plastic-farms-stop-plasticulture/

By: Greg Swob

Greg Swob — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 16:32:29 +0000

I’ve never looked into trying to recycle bale wrap or twine. I’m guessing there would be too much feed debris mixed in for most recycling centers to take. Most recycle centers refuse plastic, if there is any food or other contamination.

By: Kristina Shula

Kristina Shula — Sun, 10 Mar 2024 18:05:56 +0000

I carry a couple of pieces of folded up foil and some metal cutlery in a zipper case in my purse or backpack. I can then avoid the plastic take out container and plastic fork and spoon etc. I also ask my server not to bring any straws or plastic to my table at all, PLEASE!

By: Roger

Roger — Sun, 10 Mar 2024 17:20:07 +0000

To me the question is about CO2. I cannot simply say plastic bad, landfill bad. I wonder if the plastic to landfill path is the lowest overall CO2 generating path for food production and consumption. Plastics help us maximize the production of the land and fertilizer we use, and reduces the food we waste. All of this has an important carbon footprint and plastic helps us do it more efficiently. Plastic is made from natural gas which is then sequestered in a landfill as plastic. I wonder how efficient that process is relative to what it saves.

By: Robert Reed

Robert Reed — Sun, 10 Mar 2024 15:16:47 +0000

To help reduce the proliferation of plastic packaging, look for loose fruits and vegetables when purchasing food at grocery stores and farmers’ markets and decline plastic bags and other single-use plastics whenever possible. If the product you seek requires packaging, choose items presented in glass, paper, or metal. All three materials are readily recyclable. Studies estimate that 9 to 11 million tons of plastics enter our oceans yearly, negatively impacting fish, birds, dolphins, whales, and other animals. Scientists are increasingly finding microplastics in food, water, and air. Researchers project that plastics in our environment will double by 2030 and nearly triple by 2040. Recology, San Francisco’s employee-owned recycling company, and the The City of San Francisco are working to recycle as much material as possible, including plastic. We installed state-of-the-art optical and robotic sorters in our recycling plants to separate plastics from other recyclables, including paper. Unfortunately, plastic is made from several different resins and comes in numerous forms, many of which are not readily recyclable.
Each time we avoid plastic when shopping, we send direct messages to brands and their packing companies. If we don’t buy it, they won’t make it. Do convenient, low-cost, environmental options exist for every product we seek to purchase? No, but in many cases, we can buy foods with no packaging or opt for products packaged in materials that can be readily recycled or composted. Buy only what you need and make full use of what you have. Embracing this practical philosophy saves money and reduces trash, including plastic.

By: L Moore

L Moore — Sun, 10 Mar 2024 14:11:01 +0000

Kind of disappointed, I thought this article was going to have eco friendly packaging information for farmers to use for their products.