Recycling - paper or plastic?

Question

Wouldn't it be better if, instead of blaming us the people for the amount of rubbish we produce, to make the manufacturers reduce the packaging and maybe we should go back to paper bags instead.

Rich Z, I don't mean paper for everything, it's the things that are over packaged in plastic, like wrapped in foil then put in a plastic tray with is then wrapped in more plastic. We'd still need plastic or fabric carriers. keep your wig on!

Answer 1

Of course Willow, totally agree. There is an EU Directive now that forces producers to minimise packaging to only what is needed for safety and hygiene, and if the packaging is more than 10% over surplus to the size of product they've broken the law. However this Directive is seemingly not being properly imposed, and also producers are seemingly able to make excuses to avoid it. Plastic is so cr*p as packaging when it's not necessary for safety/hygiene - we should all really be complaining to the store and to the producer when we have to buy stuff in excessive packaging.

Answer 2

Yes, the packaging dilemma is a major crisis in the future and it is more advantageous to remove the plastic containers first and then focus on using packaging that is biodegradable and additionally reusable. Plastics have a longevity that spans millenia so well after your consumer goods have lived out their usefulness you will still have all of that lovely rubbish that just won't go anywhere but a landfill. Paper bags or more versatile cloth bags are a much better use of consumer packaging than the transaparent and environementally unfriendly plastic alternatives.

Answer 3

You are absolutely right. However, it is still the public's fault. The problem is that people want to have everything packaged all nice and pretty and all. And naturally, manufacturer's want to satisfy customer's. Many a times, people choose one item over another because it is packaged more "professionaly" i.e. use of lots of plastic for design or nice look. In fact, America is the nation that uses the most plastic for exactly this reason. This is not an international problem. We must make known to manufacturers that we would rather have more environmentally friendly packaging.

Answer 4

There's all sorts of topics about this on the web ~ and no one can really seem to agree which is worse :)

However, plastic is made from a non-renewable natural resource (gas) while paper is made from a renewable resource (trees).

Everyone who is curious exactly how recycleable plastic is, should read the Ecology Center's plastic recycling link, posted in the source section.

One thing is for certain, the manufacturers won't change their packaging policy until we change our shopping habits.

Answer 5

Paper bags are not a good answer either because they require the continual chopping of trees which actually help to clean our air. Plastic is recyclable. Here, Seattle and vicinity, we put all the plastic bags into one plastic bag and tie it. It goes in the recycling with the glass, plastic containers, soda cans , boxes and paper and is sorted at the plant. We do recycle plastic. It is just a matter of time until you do too.

Answer 6

Simple make the local authorities take all the recyclable stuff not just glass tins and paper. The supermarkets and food manufacturers do use to much packaging, but so do the toy and games manufacturers!! Still trying to get rid of some of the kids xmas present packaging and its August!!

Answer 7

I know that some supermarkets/stores offer a service that enables you to leave some of the excesses packaging behind in the store. Some Sainsburys and Asda stores offer this service.

A while back Sainsbury's were giving away their long lasting bags (that they normally sell for 10p each), to cut down on the number of regulat plastic bags.

Answer 8

I agree with the packaging point, Supermarkets especially have gone overboard with the excess packaging used for things like fruit and vegetables. on the bag issue, cloth bags are definitely the better ones to use although in all honesty I do often forget to take them with me and end up using the plastic ones.

Answer 9

Why use paper OR plastic when you can take a cotton bag or two with you to the store and use them instead? That is what we do in our home.

I purchased one of the IKEA blue bags for $.59 and use it over and over and over again. It is big and very strong. Also, the bag I got from Yahoo answers is also used for my smaller shopping sprees. It is made of 100% recycled cotton and is awesome.


We should all do our part.

Sandy :O)

Answer 10

Old habits die hard because consumers demand a certain amount of packaging in a variety of products. I have canvas bags to use when shopping and ask for paper bags as much as possible because they are needed to recycle newspapers in my community.