Reality check

[shakkai]

:iagree:

Dorothy, The EU has prohibited the use of phthalates in children’s toys since 1999 for the reasons you mention. When I was living in India, the use of stainless steel containers for storing food was common (much more common than plastic containers) and I have kept that habit since returning to the UK.

I am also the same as you regarding anti-perspirants. The last time I looked at the contents label of my husband's - not only did it contain the aluminum, but some of the top 5 ingredients were butane and propane. Not really something I would want to spray on my skin!

And yes, my local shop has plastic bags that are fully degradable, made from corn starch.

Unfortunately, it is the increased interest in bio-fuels and things like corn starch as alternatives to petroleum based products that has driven world food prices for basic foods (like rice, corn, etc.) up and out of the reach of some of the poorest countries. More and more fields that were used to feed local populations are now being farmed for export to richer nations.

[sucuz]

Originally Posted by RoyalOrchids

You mean batteries are bad? Couldn't be, that would mean that all those hybrid vehicles are bad too. You evil hybrid companies! I say we force the battery companies to explore other forms of energy!

Even rechargeable batteries reach a point where they no longer hold a charge and must be replaced. What happens to all of the batteries from all of these electric hybrid vehicles when the batteries no longer hold their charge? Where do they get dumped? Is there plan for recycling their components so they don't get dumped? Is it cost effective?

[Ross]

Originally Posted by sucuz

Is there plan for recycling their components so they don't get dumped? Is it cost effective?

Yes. When you buy automotive batteries, you pay a "core" cost. This is, theoretically, to pay for recycling. Next time you replace a large battery like in your car, they will ask for the old one back in exchange. What would you do with it? Also, even big box stores now have a recycling program for exhausted rechargeables. There really is, no longer, any reason for any type of battery to go into a landfill. Period.

Now on to ink cartridges. Everyone recycles thos, correct? If not you should be. Same with laser toner cartridges.

[Royal]

I guess I need a sarcastic emoticon. My battery comments were really supposed to be tongue in cheek. I was kind of taking a shot at those that, with blind faith, assume that anything with a green leaf on it must be better.

I agree that we need to be fervently searching for all sorts of energy options. It seems that Europe is way ahead of us here in the US. Here, foreign oil is "evil", but we are not allowed to drill for our own (even though Cuba is drilling right off the FL coast). We can't build any more refineries to make what we already have any faster or cheaper (even though our environmental laws are much more stringent than those we buy refined oil from). We can't build a nuclear plant because it's not a good campaign slogan, and we're still afraid of another Chernobyl (even though there has been great strides in technology and safety, and not one incident like has occurred since). Corn fuel options are just not cutting it and now the Hybrids are bad too. Meanwhile, everyone scoffs at solar. Oh yeah, and wind turbines kill birds and could disrupt the jetstream causing a shift in weather patterns.

I see, we should explore all alternative forms of energy, as long as it is ethanol, and as long as it doesn't happen in anyone's back yard. Pretty all-inclusive.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by RoyalOrchids

I see, we should explore all alternative forms of energy, as long as it is ethanol, (

Gee, why is the cost of my Corn Flakes is so high? Why is corn on the cob so prohibitively high nowadays?

Folks! We need to find a way to curb our insatiable demand for energy or for throw-away products!

Great discussion! With 6000+ members, I wonder why we only get a handful of participants? Wonder if only a few are worried our world is running out.

[Dorothy]

Ross - will you be our chairman and spokesperson

[Ross]

I think Shannon might be a better candidate (from the posts we've traded.) I'm not a purist. I have no problem placing a dried out pail of latex paint in a trash bag meant for the dump. I do have a problem with sending batteries into a dump. I just have my values. I'm not a purest (I have two RO units now installed ) and plan maybe a third. I regularly use anti-perspirent (powder-dry, thank you ) I prefer glass containers over plastic - but I use plastic water bottles for drinking water (collected from my RO water unit ) I think you get the picture. I personally think the best place to start is with the most blatant poluters. Not the side issues. I believe in recycling (big time - our basement is usually full of glass, aluminum, cardboard, paper, milk jugs, etc. waiting for next trip to recyclers.) I believe in not dumping crud down the storm drain just to get rid of it, even though I've been tempted on occasion to dump old latex paint down there ) I don't get the debate on baggies (which started this thread) because I see them as a "non-issue" in the great scheme of things (remember the auto tires post earlier?) There are just too many "easy to do" things we all can adjust that will contribute to a cleaner planet, to get bogged down in the fine points. That's my stand. <soap box> off soap box </soap box>

[sucuz]

Originally Posted by Ross

Great discussion! With 6000+ members, I wonder why we only get a handful of participants? Wonder if only a few are worried our world is running out.

There may be a whole flock of lurkers nodding their heads, shaking their heads, scratching their heads who feel that they have nothing to contribute because they don't have THE answer. (Or maybe they really don't care, or aren't interested. I don't know.) What we have to realize is that there isn't ONE answer, but a whole bunch of little answers. Wind power isn't the answer. Hybrid cars are not the answer. Nucular is not the answer. Biofuels are not the answer. Nothing is the whole answer, but if each area can be developed they provide a piece to the puzzle. As each niche is filled, it takes pressure off on another area and contributes to the solution. When we have enough niche area solutions, perhaps that will become the whole solution. Does that make sense, or am I just rambling?

[Ross]

Originally Posted by sucuz

There may be a whole flock of lurkers nodding their heads, shaking their heads, scratching their heads who feel that they have nothing to contribute because they don't have THE answer. (Or maybe they really don't care, or aren't interested. I don't know.) What we have to realize is that there isn't ONE answer, but a whole bunch of little answers. Wind power isn't the answer. Hybrid cars are not the answer. Nucular is not the answer. Biofuels are not the answer. Nothing is the whole answer, but if each area can be developed they provide a piece to the puzzle. As each niche is filled, it takes pressure off on another area and contributes to the solution. When we have enough niche area solutions, perhaps that will become the whole solution. Does that make sense, or am I just rambling?

Nope! You are right on! My point was pretty much the same as yours: It's what you can do to minimize you own impact on the planet. I mean, just the fact you care in the first place means something. I don't profess to have the answers (I think that was your point ) but I know what I can do easily that will make a difference. Why aren't the asians and europeans and south americans and canadians involved in this discussion? That bothers me more than what will happen in our local landfill tomorrow. Maybe I should have titled this thread differently?

[Dorothy]

Should I bother mentioning China and their pollution problems there?