We often think that we need to drive less, or buy a more fuel-efficient automobile to lessen our dependence on fossil fuels. At least that’s the general rhetoric we hear from pundits.
Of course, I’m all for conserving our resources, so I have nothing against driving less, and using less gas. (I even encourage efficient driving.)
However, I’m wondering how many people know that another all too convenient consumer product comes from oil.
Plastic.
Plastic Comes from Oil
It’s true that recently, there are plastics made from organic materials (such as the Biobags that are made from corn, mentioned in my composting post) but the vast majority of plastic still comes from petroleum.
Therefore, if we really want to conserve our oil supply, we should each do our part to dump as little plastic into our landfills as possible, since dumping plastic is like dumping oil.
Here’s how:
- Ask for paper instead of plastic - when possible, of course. Here in San Francisco, the city Council passed an ordinance requiring paper bags be used by stores over a certain size.
- Better yet, bring your own (reusable canvas bag)
- Recycle as much as possible (instead of dumping it in the trash) - trash goes to landfills, recycling goes to recycling centers.
- Take packaging into consideration when making a purchase - meaning, decide if there’s an alternative product that uses less packaging, or use material that can be recycled easily (like paper).
- Buy less stuff - probably worth an entire post to discuss this.
- Consider buying recycled products - such as those by Recycline, found at stores like Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe’s, these include items like toothbrushes and razors, to cups and plates, to name a few, all made from recycled plastic. Plus, they can be recycled as well.
Plastic Consumption in Perspective
If you’re still not convinced that buying less and recycling plastic is a good idea, here’s a link to artist Chris Jordan’s photographic work. He has a series of photographs depicting the amount of stuff we (in the United States) use, and a lot of the stuff is made from plastic.
It really puts things in perspective.
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February 12th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Wow, those photos are creepy. The one of the cell phones made me feel guilty at first. I got a new cell phone on the weekend because I had a coupon, and my old phone was leaking something inside the display. Then I remembered that I didn’t throw my old phone away–I put it in the drop box they have for our military personnel overseas.
February 12th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Hi Nez - interesting pics. I had no idea that we used so much plastic until I saw those.
So basically, any business that could find suitable alternatives would appeal to those who care about the environment.
I wonder if cell phones could be made from something that was less harmful?
February 12th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Catherine and Hunter, thank you for the comments.
To me, it’s always been interesting to read or hear things that illustrate abstract information. I’ve always found those types of illustrations really helpful to fully grasp the concept.
As for cellphones, it’s amazing how common they are. And so cheap, too, since carriers are able to make their money back with long-term contracts and early termination fees.
I think if a effort is made, a phone manufacturer can probably come up with a (near?) fully recyclable phone.
February 12th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Hi Nez,
Recycling, a subject near and dear to my heart. Plastics get used way too much. The photos in the link are amazing. Who knew?
I saw a show on The Big Idea, with Donny Deutsch where this manufacture of a biodegradable lawn fertilizer uses recycled plastic bottles in which to package their products. I thought that was a great idea.
February 13th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Hi Barbara,
I’ve been fascinated with “The Life Cycle” — how nature recycles biomatter, ecosystems, etc. When we produce our many products of convenience, we break that cycle.
It’s good to see some effort to somehow try and put those consumed products back into its own cycle, such as what you mentioned, and things like old tires becoming padding in children’s playgrounds.