Recycling Industry is struggling

[shmogie]

It can be dealt with. America does not use nearly as much recycled plastic in manufacturing as China does.

 

[bobhikes]

Apparently, China doesn't want to buy our garbage anymore

As California’s recycling industry struggles, companies and consumers are forced to adapt



Apparently, the Chinese ban has nothing to with retaliating over tariffs.



They're talking about ending our recycling program here due to this issue.

Its more than China several countries have stopped processing our Recyclables. Specifically plastic. The US needs to stop using Plastic, it creates to much waste and its bad for the environment. Glass and paper are the way to go and just eat the higher cost. Plastic was created to make things cheaper and other than that has no advantage over other natural products that break down better and can be reused as well.

 

[Stevicus]

Its more than China several countries have stopped processing our Recyclables. Specifically plastic. The US needs to stop using Plastic, it creates to much waste and its bad for the environment. Glass and paper are the way to go and just eat the higher cost. Plastic was created to make things cheaper and other than that has no advantage over other natural products that break down better and can be reused as well.

I'm not sure that switching to plastic was solely due to cost, but also because it's unbreakable and lighter than glass.

 

[Revoltingest]

Its more than China several countries have stopped processing our Recyclables. Specifically plastic. The US needs to stop using Plastic, it creates to much waste and its bad for the environment. Glass and paper are the way to go and just eat the higher cost. Plastic was created to make things cheaper and other than that has no advantage over other natural products that break down better and can be reused as well.

Plastic is the best material for some applications, regardless of cost, eg, tool housings.

 

[Brickjectivity]

The USA should work out a deal to outsource
prisons. It would be way cheaper to house them
in China, they could do useful factory work-make it
the same conditions as for Chinese workers.

It would save a lot of money, and there would be
a lot fewer repeat offenders.

That would be illegal, and merely because someone is convicted it doesn't absolutely mean that they really are criminals. Sadly some go into prison and become criminals. They aren't smart, and they wave their right to a trial and they don't know enough about how to defend themselves. I think we need fix things here at our end. Mainly I think that its a problem with our education system which ought to be managed directly by me -- or you. Either of us could fix it.

There are numerous people in jail today who are in because of technicalities. For example there are people who are charged with possession of drugs, and they are held until labs can test the substance. Some have been held for months waiting for the tests. Most people not so. Generally I feel safe and don't feel like I'm going to be thrown into prison at any moment, however if I ever do go into the criminal system I'll be drowning in expensive bureaucratic red tape. Its part of the compromise with having multiple states and trying to decentralize authority that we have some disparities in judgment depending upon which state we live in. Better to try to reform it than to outsource it.

Same as the garbage. We just need to deal with our own garbage. Whose idea was it to ship it to China anyway?

 

[bobhikes]

Plastic is the best material for some applications, regardless of cost, eg, tool housings.

I love older tools with wood, cloth housings or rubber. I don't really see plastic as the best metal, rubber and wood all work very well. The OP is about recycling perhaps you get a slight bonus using plastic the wear and tear on the environment is worth it.

 

[bobhikes]

I'm not sure that switching to plastic was solely due to cost, but also because it's unbreakable and lighter than glass.

Lighter still doesn't sell me on the problems it creates for the environment. Where did you come up with Plastic is unbreakable, it is quite fragile and I could easily make a glass, wood or metal container that would be more durable than plastic.

 

[Stevicus]

Lighter still doesn't sell me on the problems it creates for the environment. Where did you come up with Plastic is unbreakable, it is quite fragile and I could easily make a glass, wood or metal container that would be more durable than plastic.

Well, I was thinking of how, in hospitals and other medical facilities, they used to use glass bottles for IVs in patients, which could easily break. But now they use plastic bags which won't break.

 

[Audie]

That would be illegal, and merely because someone is convicted it doesn't absolutely mean that they really are criminals. Sadly some go into prison and become criminals. They aren't smart, and they wave their right to a trial and they don't know enough about how to defend themselves. I think we need fix things here at our end. Mainly I think that its a problem with our education system which ought to be managed directly by me -- or you. Either of us could fix it.

There are numerous people in jail today who are in because of technicalities. For example there are people who are charged with possession of drugs, and they are held until labs can test the substance. Some have been held for months waiting for the tests. Most people not so. Generally I feel safe and don't feel like I'm going to be thrown into prison at any moment, however if I ever do go into the criminal system I'll be drowning in expensive bureaucratic red tape. Its part of the compromise with having multiple states and trying to decentralize authority that we have some disparities in judgment depending upon which state we live in. Better to try to reform it than to outsource it.

Same as the garbage. We just need to deal with our own garbage. Whose idea was it to ship it to China anyway?

Oh, I know, but still.

 

[bobhikes]

Well, I was thinking of how, in hospitals and other medical facilities, they used to use glass bottles for IVs in patients, which could easily break. But now they use plastic bags which won't break.

Only that's not true, the plastic bags can and do break but differently than the glass bottles. Knock it against a sharp point, drop something heavy on it and if they drop against the floor they are more than likely to break the connecting point and/or puncture the bag.

 

[shmogie]

Its more than China several countries have stopped processing our Recyclables. Specifically plastic. The US needs to stop using Plastic, it creates to much waste and its bad for the environment. Glass and paper are the way to go and just eat the higher cost. Plastic was created to make things cheaper and other than that has no advantage over other natural products that break down better and can be reused as well.

Plastic is used in everything. Wire insulation, automobiles, washing machines, everything.

As far as consumer consumable products, like food or drinks, alternate containers are available.

As a kid, collecting glass soda bottles and turning them in for the three cent deposit was a good source of income.

 

[shmogie]

Its more than China several countries have stopped processing our Recyclables. Specifically plastic. The US needs to stop using Plastic, it creates to much waste and its bad for the environment. Glass and paper are the way to go and just eat the higher cost. Plastic was created to make things cheaper and other than that has no advantage over other natural products that break down better and can be reused as well.

Plastic is used in everything. Wire insulation, automobiles, washing machines, everything.

As far as consumer consumable products, like food or drinks, alternate containers are available.

As a kid, collecting glass soda bottles and turning them in for the three cent deposit was a good source of income.

 

[shmogie]

Its more than China several countries have stopped processing our Recyclables. Specifically plastic. The US needs to stop using Plastic, it creates to much waste and its bad for the environment. Glass and paper are the way to go and just eat the higher cost. Plastic was created to make things cheaper and other than that has no advantage over other natural products that break down better and can be reused as well.

Plastic is used in everything. Wire insulation, automobiles, washing machines, everything.

As far as consumer consumable products, like food or drinks, alternate containers are available.

As a kid, collecting glass soda bottles and turning them in for the three cent deposit was a good source of income.

 

[ChristineM]

Changing goals regarding waste require adjustments.
I prefer to throw very little into a landfill.
- Garbage goes in the compost bin/pit or out in the yard for the coons, possums & other pets.
- Reusable bags for shopping.
- Burnables used for heat.
(Yes, I save them up the rest of the year.)
- Donations to various charities for re-sale & re-use.
- Fix things instead of tossing'm.

And if the rest of America had your philosophy then perhaps America would not be having the difficulties of a throw away nation.

 

[bobhikes]

Plastic is used in everything. Wire insulation, automobiles, washing machines, everything.

As far as consumer consumable products, like food or drinks, alternate containers are available.

As a kid, collecting glass soda bottles and turning them in for the three cent deposit was a good source of income.

Yes it is used in everything because it is cheap and convenient but it doesn't have to be. Rubber is a better insulator, Any thing that can be made of wood or metal would be stronger and heavier than its plastic replacement. Take a car from the 40's and Drive it into a car today which will survive. Lighter is good for fuel efficiency but that's about it.

 

[savagewind]

Why is it a problem fir America to deal with its own waste?

Too much stuff!

 

[savagewind]

Changing goals regarding waste require adjustments.
I prefer to throw very little into a landfill.
- Garbage goes in the compost bin/pit or out in the yard for the coons, possums & other pets.
- Reusable bags for shopping.
- Burnables used for heat.
(Yes, I save them up the rest of the year.)
- Donations to various charities for re-sale & re-use.
- Fix things instead of tossing'm.

Earth friendly! I do those too. I am Earth friendly too.

 

[ChristineM]

Too much stuff!

Nope, to little will.

 

[Nakosis]

Apparently, China doesn't want to buy our garbage anymore

As California’s recycling industry struggles, companies and consumers are forced to adapt



Apparently, the Chinese ban has nothing to with retaliating over tariffs.



They're talking about ending our recycling program here due to this issue.

Apparently, no one wants to buy recycled plastic.

It comes down to the difference between recyclable, and recycled, Potashner said. Items aren’t recyclable just because they end up in the blue bin; there has to be someone who wants to buy recycled materials and turn them into something new. Right now, that’s only rarely the case for packaging and food materials, he said.
Tired of plastic junk? California’s recycling bills propose dramatic new rules

They've banned plastic bags, banned plastic straws. Banned industries that would have made use of the plastic. Now they plan to further restrict the use of plastic making recycled plastic even less needed.

 

[Revoltingest]

I love older tools with wood, cloth housings or rubber. I don't really see plastic as the best metal, rubber and wood all work very well. The OP is about recycling perhaps you get a slight bonus using plastic the wear and tear on the environment is worth it.

I like & avidly collect old tools.
But for modern applications, only plastics can provide the light weight
& durability for some applications, eg, hand held power tools. Impact
resistance was one primary consideration when I worked at Black &
Decker. And for surgical tools, polysulfone was the material of choice
to allow steam sterilization.

Btw, I refuse straws at restaurants. I did so even before they became
demonized. Tis unacceptably unmanly to suck up one's drink thru a tube.