Earth Day Special: When "green" isn't

Happy Earth Day, everyone.  Per Wikipedia

Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by EARTHDAY.ORG (formerly Earth Day Network) including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries.  The official theme for 2024 is "Planet vs. Plastics."

That's a meritorious goal that is harder to accomplish than it seems.  The unspoken recycling scam I profiled four years ago of very little stuff that goes into the system getting recycled (9%!) should get a lot more attention than it does.

The whole process gets even more complex when packagers mistakenly make it even harder to recycle in the name of going green.  I won't call this local example "greenwashing" because I'm guessing they really think they are helping.  They just misjudge human behavior and don't understand what happens as a result.  I'm no expert either, but I know whom to ask--the team at Ridwell as profiled here.  I recall from interviewing them that "film" plastic--the thin stuff--isn't recyclable by the Recologies of the world--hence Ridwell.  So, when I saw the new package tops of salads and spinach at Safeway, I smelled a rat in the recycling.  "34% Less Plastic Than Previous Plastic Lid".  Yeah, but.  People have to know to peel the new lid and the strip it sticks to off the container before they recycle it.  I'm guessing next to nobody knows or does it because the font on the message to remove it is tiny and printed in white ink. 

Net result from the experts:  My guess is the most common occurrence is the entire package is included in PET bales as contamination.  PET is what the base of it is.  The worst fate would be if this pushes the contamination rate to such a high level that nothing can be done with the bales.  PET is usually very recyclable so that would be a shame.

Once again, the Law of Unintended Consequences strikes.  How long before we see the hard plastic lids return?  Soon I hope.  Happy Earth Day.........

 

Comments

[Jennifer Pfaff]

I remember maybe about 15 years ago when wax coated milk cartons were replaced with plastic coated ones. It's just everywhere. The wax and the paper were fully degradable, but the newer version, I think not.

[Joanne]

Just think of how much more plastics are used since 1970?? And all those Amazon packages...even more plastic!

Like I have told my Millennial kids, "my grandparents led way more sustainable and eco friendly lives than you do".

[Handle Bard]

Mr. McGuire:
I want to say one word to you. Just one word.

Benjamin:
Yes, sir.

Mr. McGuire:
Are you listening?

Benjamin:
Yes, I am.

Mr. McGuire:
Plastics.

Benjamin:
Exactly how do you mean?

Mr. McGuire:
There's a great future in plastics. Think about it. Will you think about it?

[Paloma Ave]

The Graduate 1967