I work in the recycling sector and the biggest problem by far is the massive diversity of plastics. Most plastics could be recycled if it came in pure and consistent form. The problem is that you have chunks, foils, foam, composites of all varieties and various additives to alter its properties. A consumer cannot be asked to split his wastestreams and his consumed products into hundreds of parts. At the same time, the plastic stream becomes almost inseparable. Besides this, you need to develop a recycling method for almost every single product nowadays. That's almost impossible to do financially and sometimes it's also impossible to do it in a sensible way. The only solution is to get a team of universities, scientists and industrial designers together to develop a set of rules and codes that would reduce the massive diversity in plastic products. Go thicker instead of thinner, less composites if possible, etc etc.

@halimmarioandy

4 жыл бұрын

Spot on !

@raapyna8544

4 жыл бұрын

And thicker in stead of layering!

@Chazz155511

4 жыл бұрын

Super smart actually with codes defining how containers are to be made. There codes in plenty of industries such as botls and, and buildings. This would fix the every thing but it would help.

@jamesmedina2062

4 жыл бұрын

The problem is that government has not entered into the economics of plastics as it should. If it taxed the petroleum plastics sufficiently, many other products such as plant-based degradable plastics would have a chance of being utilized as they are more expensive now. In many instances, paper and glass can be used for food sales. That leaves potato chips. Again, organic, plant-based plastics could be used to ship and sell chips. Thick glass was re-used for decades and it does require twice the work but both consumers and government can get involved to support more re-used glass. It would definitely create more jobs for sure!

@audsss16

4 жыл бұрын

What do you do in the recycling sector? And how can I get in to it?!

Bringing back old methods such as the milkman can really help with the problem

@philipocarroll

4 жыл бұрын

Ah the 1970s when milk was delivered fresh to your door in reusable containers transported by silent electric vehicles.

@jeff2424

4 жыл бұрын

The milkman? Won't that increase unwanted pregnancies?

@kaitlyn__L

4 жыл бұрын

@@philipocarroll Mr milkman bring me my milk... in the morning...

@RavensRules

3 жыл бұрын

@@jeff2424amazing hah

@roninwarriormedia2284

3 жыл бұрын

Gives jobs

How about reusable bottles for liquids? Take your bottle of milk, water and juice then refill it at the shop. The stores could have refill pumps just like for fuel.

@heatleynoble

4 жыл бұрын

Milkman? That also sells squash etc. Put your used one pint outside swaps them out.

@JJ-te2pi

4 жыл бұрын

Just use the milkman.

@britainsgotnotalent9492

4 жыл бұрын

@@heatleynoble We had them and people stopped using them and bought stuff from the supermarkets.

@heatleynoble

4 жыл бұрын

@@britainsgotnotalent9492 they're still in most areas. Just got to look.

@nywangphantom

4 жыл бұрын

The use of individual packaging instead of bulk item helps reducing food waste, since food is less likely to be contaminated. Also, to make refills like gasoline possible, you have to commoditize the item like gasoline, and forgo the varieties. Imagine your only choice for milk is regular or premium, only then can milk refill be possible on a large scale.

The whole idea that tossing something in the right bin is recycling or green is a misconception to begin with. We need to stop wasting precious/ damaging resources as a whole.

@allmendoubt4784

4 жыл бұрын

precisely, everything about GW is a personal choice, and yes I should get off this PC.

@mcatherine36

2 жыл бұрын

What about countries that do have successful recycling policies though? Or have really low waste problems?

@RubsNL

2 жыл бұрын

@@mcatherine36 name one of those countries please, they don't exist.

@andretsang7337

2 жыл бұрын

Amen. We don't need to recycle more. We need glass coke and milk bottles again.

@luluah1198

Жыл бұрын

@@andretsang7337 exactly. The governments don’t really wish to solve the problem when plastics are more profitable for them

I’ve been watching a lot of environmental videos lately. All of them highlight serious problems, but none of them give solutions. I thought using my tote bags was a good thing, but here I’ve created more problems due to the manufacturing of them. Give more ideas for positive change! I eat less meat, I’ve become more minimal, I buy from the bulk section, I carry a metal water bottle, etc...but I’d like to do more!

@nilakshguleria2121

2 жыл бұрын

Same here

@luluah1198

Жыл бұрын

Jute bags are a better option more environmentally friendly in its production. But you’re still doing good things . At least you’re not buying so called reusable plastic bags, this issue really angers me 😂😂

The three R's (reduce, reuse, recycle) must be changed. Here's what I think. 1. Rethink. You probably don't need to buy that item anyway, and if you do, be mindful of its lifecycle. 2. Reduce. If you're going to buy it, buy just the right amount -- no more than is necessary. 3. Reuse. Use that item as much as possible to get the most out of it. 4. Refurbish. Once that item begins to fall apart, try to repair the bits and pieces. 5. Recycle. Last resort should be to discard it in the recycling bin, hoping that the item can be made into another secondhand item.

Maybe the problem is our consumer behaviour to always buy, buy, produce, produce, buy, buy. Focus on improving the things we have.

I was worried that this video would make people think that there was no point in recycling and I found that a bit irresponsible. But the comments here are very reassuring! In my view we need to rebel against our government and bring in a new system which does not put profit above all else!!!

War on plastic? You're talking as if people are actually doing something about it...

In the old days (before plastic bags became so commonplace), people were more resourceful and less wasteful. Cardboard boxes were often reused to put your groceries in, fish was wrapped in newspaper and bags were often made of straw or paper. Whenever I go food shopping, I take a cardboard box off the shelves to put my shopping in. I will then repurpose some of the boxes to be used as parcels.

It is messed up that we ship most of our "recycling" overseas in the US instead of having recycling facilities here to support it. Imagine the jobs we'd have. I even see trash fly out of garbage trucks.

@Plainsman1300

4 жыл бұрын

simply raising the temperature to melting and vaporization, and then condensing the plastic back to oil has been done for decades. One commercialy available a few years ago required a barrel of kerosene to get it started, and therafter it produced its own fuel. Amatures have showed off homebuilt recovery plants on KZread videos.

@Khan0156

Жыл бұрын

Actually it was shipped to China, but China has banned import of plastic waste, becuase they don't have the ability to recycle so much plastic

Pick up a cardboard box (before a shelf-stacker squashes it) to tote your shopping.

@Martin-bx1et

4 жыл бұрын

@Jan SchlossarGlad to hear you are recycling plastic. Are you not able to recycle cardboard in your neighbourhood though?

@kaitlyn__L

4 жыл бұрын

@@Martin-bx1et many locations say they cannot recycle corrugated cardboard, only paperboard and paper. I don't know why really, they should all pulp the same, but that's how it is. Also, if cardboard/paper gets even a little dirty it could ruin the entire batch, where (some)plastic, glass, and metal aren't absorptive, and so don't suffer from that issue. Plastic also still has the edge in production, as this video lays out, over plant based fibres, in terms of CO2 and water. Even 100% recycled cardboard needs quite a lot of water in the process.

@anthonyledford5845

4 жыл бұрын

The only issue with that is in many places the stores only get boxes on certain days and times

@k.w.1459

4 жыл бұрын

Many places do not take and cannot process FLIMSY plastic bags and packaging at recycling plants.

I think the best way to deal with the plastic problem is to completely phase out all plastic, and replace it with various things like compostable bioplastics, hemp, canvas, etc depending on the product. The burden should be on producers, not consumers.

@user-jk9qt8om5i

2 жыл бұрын

Reusables are better! Hemp,corn,sugar cane,algae are important food source and tons of food will be wasted that we can feed to poor human beings!

Breaks my heart to see the massive amounts of plastic containers that we package food with. Open to suggestions! I already use bags for life and now that seems to be another evil. Sigh 😭

@jamesmedina2062

4 жыл бұрын

Bruce Martin me too. you're not alone. cotton and paper is used also to package some foods. Metal tins were used previously but now companies want more profits. Solution: don't buy them. We have choices in what foods we eat and most city people have never gathered, fished, hunted, or farmed their own food so they have no earthly idea how hard it was to produce the food item in question. So learn how to prepare your own food products. Its fun and healthy. Grow too! I just made my own fig bars(like fig newtons). They blow away anything I have ever purchased.

@Khan0156

Жыл бұрын

We could use hemp to make bioplastic that is degradable and clothes that are more durable, but oil&cotton companies have monopoly in this section. Also you can make biofuel from hemp and get rid of fossil fuels. Also hemp can grow anywhere and oil is limited and can be found only in certain places, so you can't make monopoly from it

I wonder: Why do these countries even accept receiving the shipments of garbage?

What kind of government makes up report stats like that? Didn't even pay for a scientific study? Wtf?!

The problem with the war against plastic is that really it's the war against oil. Oil breaks down to a number of commodities: lubricants, which can be made synthetically, so not absolutely needed, fuel (for both engines and electricity generation, plastics and fertilisers. If you go to war on only one front, you end up with what petrol and diesel were prior to widespread car ownership; a waste product which has to be disposed of. Indeed, the original impetus for internal combustion engines IS their use of this waste product. So fight petrol(diesel) without fighting plastic and there is a huge problem. This obviously means that the war against plastic is not the ideological war that politicians contend. Still to see how agriculture will cope with the removal of oil-based fertilisers etc.

@sylwiagotzman5422

2 жыл бұрын

agriculture does not need oil-based fertilisers. digestate and biochar are much much better.

I’ve been talking about stuff like this for so long, everyone thought I was crazy for saying similar things.I guess commonsense is not common

@elsagrace3893

4 жыл бұрын

john adamson common sense is not common.

I think the Aldi way of taking your shopping is the best. Grab some cardboard packaging from another product and use that as your shopping bag... then recycle it afterwards. Therefore no net gain in pollution.

Recycling is a way to earn money. Government introducing tax in shape of council tax, then issuing a licence to company, for money, then the company receiving payment from council. But biggest twist is, when company shipping the sorted waste abroad, it is considered as a recycling has been done. So the company, council and people feels better. But the waste is still a waste, because it cannot be turned into anything usable. So it is there, stored in vast mountains of waste, next to the homes waiting for some miracle.

It's madness and hardly carbon friendly to be transporting plastics/ trash around the planet. We should all be responsible for dealing with garbage at a local level. To encourage manufacturers to use less plastic and packaging and to change to something biodegradable just tax them to the hilt. Once it's starts affecting their bottom line they'll soon change. Research into alternative materials that are reusable, recyclable or biodegradable or even some enzyme or compound that can break down plastics should be funded. We should also be more mindful of our own usage and how responsibly we dispose of our own trash.

@shooglechic

4 жыл бұрын

More jobs in building more recycling processing centers.

@lucilledelorme

4 жыл бұрын

shooglechic Definitely. There are so many unemployed who could easily be trained to do the work required.

@ifurkend

4 жыл бұрын

It is the similar problem of foods oveoaded with sugar/syrup which are cheap for both manufacturers and consumers, but the hidden cost (health issue and medical expense) of these products only emerges really late. Shipping is cheap because the transporter never directly pays the environmental damage it causes.

@lucilledelorme

4 жыл бұрын

ifurkend That's why even with the best will in the world from consumers, ie; if everyone recycled and was as conscientious as possible there's no escaping the amount of plastics. The easiest solution would be to tax manufacturers for using non biodegradable wrapping, tax for excess packaging ( that one really pisses me of - a banana or a coconut in plastic!) and tax benefits for innovations that reduce overall use of polluting materials. Nothing motivates like costing money. It would only be a matter of getting a bill through ( past those evil lobbyists but I any administration can do it's now) and then policing the system. Should be simple but people are selfish and don't care about the long term. Maybe a cull of 90% of the human race would be in order..

@andrewmillar8153

4 жыл бұрын

These taxes only hit the poor in the pocket, as the manufacturers will simply add the cost to the price.Im pretty sure that most of these plastics are used in fast food and ready meals which , because they are cheap, are a necessity for poor citizens.high taxes on alcohol, cigarettes, petrol etc and it hasn't worked.its a stretch,bit compare it to fines for parking, speeding etc it only really hurts the little guy, the rich can afford the fines and lawyers to fight the offences and get off on a technicality.Think of the banking crisis, the greedy fat cat bankers caused it, but tax payers bailed them out, the big banks could afford the fines, but what of the small businesses or people who were ruined, tough! Yeah more taxes aren't what's required, maybe criminal charges and jail time for CEOs and the closure of their businesses would speed up their resolve to tackle the crisis.

And by the way: do not listen to him. Keep recycling your plastic ! Some is disposed of corectly. Legislation will come that will force all retailers to invest in recycling. The collecting , triaging and recycling activities must develop. The whole value chain is responsible for the end-of-life, not just the production site. Force your politicians to take it up with the industry and commerce. Unless you do, it's business as usual until we all suffocate in plastic.

Plastic can easily be returned back to oil by pyrolosis. You can do the same with used tires. It is technology that has been around for decades.

@Chrisallengallery

4 жыл бұрын

Then why do I have a landfill of used tyres down the road from me?

@Plainsman1300

4 жыл бұрын

@@Chrisallengallery mainly because dumping does not require capital investment. That is silly because individuals have built pyrolysis plants out of junkyard materials. Many have been seen on youtube, a japanese company sells a table top unit good for demonstration.

@walterbrunswick

4 жыл бұрын

Honestly, this is one of the most feasible investments I see for eliminating all this buildup. If we do that along with REDUCING and REUSING, we're half-way to a clean planet again.

@Plainsman1300

4 жыл бұрын

Toronto recently hauled 250 tons of baled recycled plastic to the dump. I guess that would be decycled.

@Plainsman1300

3 жыл бұрын

@@GS-kh5se A British group has bought a ferryboat and it is being converted to take plastic out of the ocean and covert it back into oil. The Japanese sell a unit that can operate on trucktrailers and reduce tires to oil which is used to fuel the truck when moving, and to heat the input, and there are two saleable side products, steel wire, and carbon black which has numerous industrial uses.

I have the same tote bags I’ve used since the early 80s. Um so yes I’ve used them way more than 1xx times. Plus when I’m dead someone else can use them. Ugh. I hate when people use that “argument” about how many times you’d need to use it. Yeah that’s the point it’s a bag you will use for food shopping, all shopping, bringing your stuff to work!

Aargh...That's what we said in the eighties in germany. We had a bottle payback system for glass bottles. Than the companies changed to plasticbottles because they are lighter, more durable and "come on plastic is the future". They have been right.

@Skoda130

4 жыл бұрын

Ahd what a future it was..

Remember when glass bottles were refilled and paper bags were used then people decided that plastic was better. Now it results it isn't.

For starters can we go back to glass.

There's a thing. The government's response not based on science... Lol

This was interesting and informative, thanks Ch4

@metelomaniac

2 жыл бұрын

I thought you meant methane with "Ch4"

@Najma33Humaira

2 жыл бұрын

Imma say ch4 too

@ke_r1m

2 жыл бұрын

@@Najma33Humaira 👊

It starts with the us, making simple changes of refusing single-use plastic and being more responsible in using more of the reusable and/or eco-friendly products, like remembering you cotton shopping bag or refusing styrofoam takeout containers or plastic one. All in all, regardless of it being trash or recycling, we create too much waste as a society.

@googolnews2781

4 жыл бұрын

Single used plastic must be banned!

An Australian company called LICELLA are reverse engineering plastic and returning it to its source materials so that it can be re-used again. Best idea to deal with plastic, reverting it back to liquid oil so that it can be used as fuel again or other things. They use a method of heating water to break down the chemicals in plastic.

@DevPythonUnity

2 жыл бұрын

the issue is , you needs lots of energy to recycle it, its better to come up with idea, where do dont need to propduce plastic in the first place

@lucyward4391

2 жыл бұрын

@@DevPythonUnity Oil based plastic is a problem for many reasons but, I have been told that Plant based plastic is safe, especially if we set up proper recycling infrastructure. So we need to stop using oil based plastic and move onto green plant based plastics. I could be wrong but you could look more into plant based plastics.

Manufacturers use plastic so thoughtlessly because it's cheap without worrying the cost of cleaning up the pollution it causes. The non-essential plastic package needs to be taxed heavily. Also the small fee for plastic bag in shops are beginning to lose its effect for the middle classes, so the fee dreadfully needs a substantial hike to actually scare people off from buying new plastic bags on a whim.

@AChannelFrom2006

4 жыл бұрын

Doesn't sound that Capitalist, sounds more like something Venezuela would do. I don't know why there is so much hate on plastic shopping bags when all the do-gooder people will then use a double lined plastic bag for their trash. Why is the upper class trying to wage a war against the poor, working and middle classes anyway? Sure we use plastic sometime. Not everyone was born with golden spoons.

@raapyna8544

4 жыл бұрын

Manufacturers should have the option to either recycle their packaging or pay a tax for participating in a national or regional recycling system. That common system should first exist.

@SleepCove

4 жыл бұрын

I use plastic bags as bin liners. What a stupid comment.

@mcatherine36

2 жыл бұрын

​@@AChannelFrom2006 Consumers wouldn't be taxed though??? It should be the manufacturers and retailers who are taxed for making and selling certain products and/or packaging that harm the environment. Then they would have less incentive to make them and be forced to provide alternatives. Of course, this would affect tthe economy quite a bit, so I don't know how all consumers will be affected. But it's surely better to buy products that will last you a long time, then products that you buy to use a couple times before throwing away. Some products might be exempt to the tax, if they are considered a daily necessity and there isn't any alternative or substitute that can be made widely available yet.

29 plastic retailers downvoted this video

finally! the focus on plastic straws just went out of proportion completely. Thank you for speaking up the truth! Plus, 131 uses for a tote bag is not that big of a number at all when the average person (a least in America) uses 1 plastic bag every day. And the fact they don't contain plastic is not to make them look fancier but practically if they tear you can literally fix them yourself using a thread and needle and then they are good for few more years.

@kansasthunderman1

4 жыл бұрын

Tote bags are unsanitary.and they collect food waste.

@JWMcLay

3 жыл бұрын

@@kansasthunderman1 not if you regularly wash them. Ive been doing it for years. It's just being a bit more organised instead of throwing a bag out after one or two uses

@PlayItAgainTubeSam

2 жыл бұрын

Fix a tote bag? 99,99% won't even bother to sew it

Immediate ban on plastic bottles and plastic packaging.❌

@Plainsman1300

4 жыл бұрын

And a ban on synthetic oil based clothing, and shoes, and plastic car parts, well, everything plastic. ( Just joined the loonies)

@tricky778

4 жыл бұрын

why those? Why not fight the causes of the problems (mainly plastic sponges, plastic clothes as a first approximation - both of these release tons of microfibres directly into the wastewater). Why are you fighting the wrong sources? It's *disgusting* of you to be the cause of a worsening of the problem by eliminating the wrong items.

@saxglend9439

4 жыл бұрын

@@tricky778 R u agitated?

@tricky778

4 жыл бұрын

@@saxglend9439 yeah, all this damage continuing because people won't tackle the causes, just slogans and making it worse.

@saxglend9439

4 жыл бұрын

@@tricky778 Add a drop of lavender to your bath, and soon you will soak yourself calm.

We create more problems than we try to fix. That's the reality of it all.

No mention of how the oceans absorb CO2 & how much more they could absorb when they're healthy (free of plastic, industrial & human waste).

I see plasic litter all over towns and citys and woodland. My local woods is full of plasic rubbish from plastic bottles to CDs.

I have used my current tore bag for well over 2 years. Plus, they can be made of USED fabric which would be the Best option to continuously chose 🙌🏼

hemp plastics biodegrade and hemp is a very versatile plant that is carbon neutral, why not convert oil-based plastics to hemp ones, along with other measures of reducing it at source?

@serjthereturn

4 жыл бұрын

@Dr Chong Ask indeed it would. If you search for 'how hemp threatens the corpocracy' there's a good video on why it's illegal there. Hope you guys get promoted this season ;-)

@serjthereturn

4 жыл бұрын

@Epic it is but is restricted and still classified as a drug in some places, the point is we need massive R&D to really tap into its potential

I went into Lidl today to buy some blades. I only found 5-blade replacements, not the 3 I use and the rest were all disposables!

Bio degradable plastic. From hemp.

@tomkelly8827

4 жыл бұрын

Did you see his report on cotton bags? Surely Hemp is a step up from cotton but not from plastic itself.

@ummmDanone

4 жыл бұрын

This is even worse..

@darrenfenton9280

4 жыл бұрын

Plant based cellulose..... anything is better than petroleum based plastic.

@xotoxpv

4 жыл бұрын

@@tomkelly8827 Easy. I use my cotton bag every day for 6 years. I would like to see which plastic bag can survive that, especially when they are torn barely walking out of the store.

@kaitlyn__L

4 жыл бұрын

@@xotoxpv but estimates say they need to be used for much longer than 6 years to make up the extra physical requirements for growing the crops. And my family still has and uses plastic bags for life from 1998.

Some useful information but also some terrible delivery of information. Video states that government figure of 1% was an assumption, and then makes an assumption that all humans will use their reusable plastic bags for a day. Where is the evidence of this? I know plenty of people who reuse their plastic bags till they break and then drop them off at a plastic bag recycling bin in a supermarket. I would like to see a video about what happens with this recycling.

getting some real VSauce Michael vibes from this dude

Frito Lays Chips should be made liable and other snacks companies who are really irresponsible

Sadly, this just left me more stressed than before watching it, with precious little in the way of solutions.

@walterbrunswick

4 жыл бұрын

Look up pyrolysis. It's a very feasible solution.

exporting a problem doesnt solve it.

@marylandgirl9246

4 жыл бұрын

That was my main take away.

Personally I've been using the thicker bags over and over and over again. There is no one big solution. There are thousands and thousands of small solutions.

So a cotton bag only takes 131 uses to be better than plastic? Thats only like 2 and half years, people need to buy groceries their whole life so it seems pretty worth it to me. We still use reusable bags from the 80's that is well over 130 trips to the store so I don't understand the point of even bringing that up

Seems like the only solution to reduce the concentration of plastic in the ocean is to raise sea levels further. ✔️

@socalslk

4 жыл бұрын

Thinking outside the box. That is how problems get solved.

@googolnews2781

4 жыл бұрын

I don't understand why sea levels should increase? I think sea level increase lead to tsunami, flood,....

@socalslk

4 жыл бұрын

@@googolnews2781 It is sarcasm tied to climate change hysteria. The solution to pollution is dilution.

The main plastic companies should still be help accountable for the plastics.

A child of the fifties, everything was made from steel, glass, rubber, aluminum, paper, wood, and concrete. Nothing we purchased at the grocer's came in plastic, it was waxed cardboard or paper. Today, traveling to southeast Asia, I am keenly aware of the plastic problem because I see millions of tons of plastic waste flow down the rivers into the sea. Vietnam is a huge offender. Flying to Japan from Malaysia I'll see what appears to be white caps on the Sea of Japan that are actually reefs of plastic much larger than ships that are navigating around them. World wide, there are many, many concerned people who are trying to eliminate there dependence on plastic, and bulk stores are springing up, so I'm not the only one who's making the effort to remove it from my life. What can I do personally do about it? I'm single! Well, I can buy items that are sold in bulk. A food co-op isn't far from where I live. They sell milk in returnable glass bottles, just like when I was a kid. They sell bulk detergents such as laundry detergent, dish detergent, and dishwater detergents in bulk. Shampoo, conditioner, liquid bath soap can be bought in bulk. The bulk price is much less than what one pays for products sold in containers, and I must remember to take my own containers, but my garbage only needs to be picked up once a month, and there's not much. I also use a compost bin for food waste. Computers, old phones, batteries, electronics all go to a recycling center. I have to pay fee to recycle them but it's worth it. The greatest challenge is making the effort to not purchase "new" landfill items. In Switzerland, the country uses all waste to power generators and appropriate scrubbers are fitted to exhausts to prevent pollution. Maybe that's a choice for us.

Coast watch Europe does a pollution survey every year in Ireland and I believe plastic straws are one of the more common litter items.

Compared with the usual channel 4 bias and partisan journalism this quality journalism is great.

Nice video, with all the right topics in place. Seems like your drink was made out of plastic, to me this is the core of the issue. Why do you I get a plastic-free straw in a plastic cup? We need to stop unnecessary packaging and to send the waste to developing countries that cannot deal with the waste in a good way.

Stop unnecessary consumption full stop. Regardless of if it’s the most or least sustainable

First of all there is tech now to turn plastic into Hydrogen with little impact regarding carbon. What you then need is to feed it with rubbish.The councils need to employ more people to collect our rubbish not only household but coastlines,green spaces and the sides of roads.They then sell it to the companies that can turn it into hydrogen as the councils then get two jobs done,the make the environment better for the public and here the crunch they can get some £££ to make it worth there while.

We need reusable containers not recyclable containers. A container should be designed to last a minimum of twenty years. Just think of all of the waste we would never have.

Have we looked into automating those recycling factories. That would save money and I’m pretty sure we have the technology to do that

@stephenbaxter3369

4 жыл бұрын

Machines are expensive. Remember that we are dealing with a commodity that has a very low value so margins are very tight.

@uraharasshop3547

4 жыл бұрын

Stephen Baxter perhaps a tax on plastic will deter people from buying plastic based products. And will encourage businesses to look for better ways to package a product. What do you think.

The straw ban creates a wedge issue where none should exist. We are ALL APPALLED by ocean plastic pollution, and it's become a major issue. But if you show skepticism about a plastic straw ban (it's silly, paper straws don't work, etc.etc) - they call you an insensitive monster. Why does this happen???? Thank you so much for your fact-checking and explanation of a crisis that needs us all to help - everyone, not just the granola crowd. Everyone. Much to do. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I've read a few articles about plastics made from hemp, the plastic was bio-degradable.

How about banning Danone from putting their 250g of yoghurt into an 0.5 litre cup or banning L'Oreal from putting their 50g of cream into a package that would easily fit a 32-inch TV?

I've been using my cotton grocery bag for years, it is always in my pocket. I have 2nd bigger bag in my car, because when I drive to my relatives I usually need more groceries.

Apparently Lidl or whatever it was now has bags exactly like the plastic ones which actually decompose in the water, so why isn’t everyone copying them?

The whole model could be completely reviewed, and go towards reusable packagings on which there would be a deposit to incentive consumers to bring tyem back. Suck a model would be realistic and solve many issues, such as the amount of waste we produce but also the energy used to produce our packages. However, we are not quite close to reaching such a model...

We used to have thousands of milkmen years ago, who delivered milk ( and pop in some cases ) to your door. Then we stopped buying from them and got the stuff from supermarkets, which made thousands of them jobless and helped create the plastic problem. Yes folks - YOU are guilty of creating the problem. My elderly mother still buys her milk from a 'milkman' to this day. Ever get the idea we had the answer already and we let it go?

@britainsgotnotalent9492

4 жыл бұрын

We also had Alpine fizzy drink deliveries, as well as other companies doing the same, such as Jones' and Larkspur. All in glass bottles, returned each week, cleaned and sterilized and reused.

Since the plastic carry bag ban I am seeing far less waste plastic around. Many are using tote bag. This reduces carbon emissions a lot.

I recently saw somewhere that the food that rots in landfills is a large contributor to global warming. We've got plastic entering the food chain. Plastic islands forming, then breaking down into bits. Incinerators release toxic emissions. A few places (like Singapore) have some good waste-to-energy facilities, but I guess they aren't as cost effective as landfills (to governments). But landfills apparently do contribute to methane emissions/global warming.

@florptytoo

2 жыл бұрын

In a perfect world, we'd all reduce consumption. But it's not a perfect world, and a realistic solution is difficult. It's a big problem. We really should address it better.

Recycling plastics Creates more pollution issues.

@jamesmedina2062

4 жыл бұрын

K. Ganesan Ganesan you are generalizing. local recycling of certain plastics is viable.

I liked the point you ended on. I get kind of annoyed by plastic straw type solutions cause they miss the bigger picture. Plastic Straw Tokenism really. Carbon levels are the immediate existential threat.

Where does the other 99% of the plastic straws go then???

Jute bags, metal bottles, metal lunch boxes, glass and metal containers.

The solution needs to be all encompassing. Reduce unnecessary waste. Streamline types of plastic products are sold in. Educate the population on how to recycle. Swap out single use for reusable Tax single use plastics Invest heavily on recycling facilities. Stop waste - food waste is often wrapped in plastic. Stop needless consumerism Spend more time in nature & less in shopping centres

@JWMcLay

3 жыл бұрын

Very good points, they sound very much like the principles used in Permaculture

It’s important to disguise the problem and all the facts, but we have to start somewhere and educating the new generation, they will suffer the most in the future.

Charge manufacturers of plastic a tax per KG of plastic produced, which goes towards environmentally friendly schemes. When they realise its costing millions they'll finally come up with solutions!

I rather focus on the plastic in the oceans. It is something physical that we can measure the progress of and everyone can easily contribute towards achieving. Cleaning up beaches is one of those ways we can all help out in a noticeable way.

@triplethreatmatt

4 жыл бұрын

Where do you think the plastic in oceans comes from?

I would bet on it being the same story with carbon emissions. What the UK does is insignificant compared to China, India and others.

@lozhennessy7789

4 жыл бұрын

But remember we led the way on the industrial revolution! We have been pumping out emissions much longer! And we are a TINY country! See stats below: "Of course, it's also possible to look at historical emissions per person, which turns things around yet again. In this view, the UK shoots close to the top of the rankings, while China drops towards the bottom. 1. Luxembourg: 1,429 tonnes 2. UK: 1,127 tonnes 3. US: 1,126 tonnes 4. Belgium: 1,026 tonnes 5. Czech Republic: 1,006 tonnes 6. Germany: 987 tonnes 7. Estonia: 877 tonnes 8. Canada: 780 tonnes 9. Kazakhstan: 682 tonnes 10. Russia: 666 tonnes" Yes, it is from a Guardian article - www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/apr/21/countries-responsible-climate-change

Plastic made from hemp is the best way to fix this problem.

The price of globalization.

Ah, the West... talking the talk but not walking the walk... confronting your own problems is the first steps to recovery, so good on this awareness video!

Jesus Christ, you have to start SOMEWHERE.

You need to use your tote bag 131 times before its more eco-friendly than plastic bags. Well, luckily it is a re-usable bag! The trick is, use it!

No mention of pyrolysis? Seems that might be a solution worth promoting.

@JJs_playground

4 жыл бұрын

Isn't that process used to turn plastic into jet / Diesel fuel.

@Andrew-zp7mc

4 жыл бұрын

@@JJs_playground It converts plastics back into oil. Things like low sulphur diesel. Yes, it is still turning plastic into a fossil fuel but its a virtually emission free process that could solve the issue of burning tyres and the low recycling rates of plastics.

0:43, 😆, I can not wait.

I just watched the CEO of DOW make some very week statements on why they don't recycle better. Super lame. The major Plastic makers needs to be held accountable. Its very easy add a small fee for each plastic bottle for return and certify recycle centers so they have to actually repurpose the plastic in some productive way. In states where they have these recycle values to plastic its very clean, like Oregon (where the aren't druggy bums all over the place).

As a mother at home, I practice solid waste management. I do ♻️ and composting.

Go back to reusable glass, charge a decent deposit on the container to ensure it is cared for and returned, and watch the problem go away. It may not be as convenient but it works.

@Mrskateboardboy

4 жыл бұрын

@MyImList Global population growth is the root problem. People pollute, therefor less people should mean less pollution. There are just too many of us now and there is already no room for most of our wildlife or ocean life. Maybe our tired old planet is just reaching its capacity and the only solution is a good cull followed by a breeding control programme!! Population relocation can hardly be an answer.

as always more questions than answers! step one being made aware! education!

not the only UK recycling documentary I've seen on this site, but one of the most flattering. i feel much better about myself now.

Plastic? It should never have been introduced for foods and liquids.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love this kind of journalism.

Should I understand that 500.000 or e.g. 100.000 plastic straws in the sea should be OK, and the ban was not necessary? :-/

@kimwarburton8490

4 жыл бұрын

nah, it's more about the self-congratulation, thinking we've done 'good enough' it was a disguise to be seen to be doing something. The gov should have tackled something bigger that would have had a larger effect

The big company’s who promote themselves as green our our all going to things like loop partnerships and more recyclable containers as even glass is actually a significant problem to due real world recycling Unlike the old days when your milk and beverages were in 💯 glass and it’s was normal to return them we have gone so far from that for profits it’s a long process to turn around

@jamesmedina2062

4 жыл бұрын

tommays56 yes, but tell me if it doesn't seem sick and perverse that water from Italy or Fiji makes its way all the way around the world just to drink? I buy these waters but I wish I had a closer, local alternative.

just to add a few things.while plastic can be recycled not every facility is set up for all recycleable plastics. you cant infinitley recycle plastic,5 times is norm.bag tax is based on a falsehood where it appears more are recycled but if the supermarkets were forced to give thicker bags in first place the same amount would be recycled at no percievable cost to the customer. just like straws paper bags are useless when wet and tear easily so all your groceries and bag need replacing.if everything became paper then would the sustainable source logo become obselete as demand trumps supply.

Plastic needs to be phased out by new laws and taxes, this should have been implemented years ago.

@supergirl1386

4 жыл бұрын

what about your phone and laptop and television? they are all made up of plastic too.

Or we could just go back to consuming less disposable goods and buy quality over quantity, buy and used goods, repurpose old goods, and start making things that actually last that are made from more organic friendly materials like glass and metal. You know like back in the day. My grandparents had the same refrigerator for well over 50 years. But we are tricked into thinking that new is always better and more efficient. This is false! I’ve ran a test on a modern fridge vs a fridge from the 1950’s and the older fridge actually used a bit less energy than the newer one did. Now chick that up to having to buy a new fridge every 7-10 years because they go bad and use many cheap materials vs buying one built like a tank that last a lifetime!

Let's see all the usual right wing suspects complain about how biased and unprofessional channel 4 is... Oh wait

@evanpenny348

4 жыл бұрын

What is right wing about asking questions about this presentation?

@pasta248

4 жыл бұрын

@Into The Arena I'm not calling out everyone right wing lol, I'm just observing that the comments on this channel on the vast majority of reports are filled with people accusing channel 4 for being biased towards the left, whereas on this video everyone seems to have come together and agree on something... Which on the Internet is extreamly rare

@andrewmillar8153

4 жыл бұрын

@Into The Arena I think that you'll find that most right wingers are climate change deniers, for them the bottom line is money, profits before anything.Short sighted and greedy ! Whether it's climate change or exploiting workers , anything for a quick buck.Over to you...

@andrewmillar8153

4 жыл бұрын

@Into The Arena please let me know whereabouts that you get your unbiased information from.the majority of the world's scientists agree about climate change and that man is the root cause of it, perhaps they are part of a conspiracy to rob you of more taxes.And the majority of the world's press and media are owned by right wing owners who pay little or no taxes, offshore accounts and tax free haven residents who wouldn't know the truth if it was written on their blood soaked dollars.ignorant and selfish, wealth motivated but the 'good' news is, it will affect them too, rising temperatures and sea levels, filthy air and contaminated water and food. Best get to your survival chamber and pull your blanket over your head, not that you need a blanket as you are clearly blinkered and a poodle for the billionaires.

@raapyna8544

4 жыл бұрын

@Into The Arena Be critical of the sources when you search independently from the internet, as not many internet media sites have sworn by the common journalists' ethics - such as being responsible for telling people the truth. (Having facts checked and right, regardless of point-of-view or opinion) Anyone can make an internet newspaper without any credibility or professional training, and are allowed to call it "news". Imagine if anyone could start a clinic and claim that they as a doctor were "as right as any other". Spreading wrong information or misunderstandings - rumors - is dangerous. Then, what is propaganda? It's political media that portrays people or things in a light that fits the political message, compromising honesty and objectivity about the subject on purpose. For example, only portraying a thing or group of people (example, "the jews" or "the media") in purely negative light, in order to portray them as "the enemy". Or, portraying a leader as a hero character and flawless. For example, election advertisements are by virtue propaganda. But the word has a negative tone, so usually it's only used for sneaky tries, where a party or a leader is trying to trick people into rooting for them. What we know as "fake news" on the internet can be either rumors or propaganda. Then there are regular news, that can be confused with the two. Regular news can be politically opinionated, but they are always backed up by facts that are checked from accountable sources. Therefore, you can disagree with the tone of the article, but the information it's providing should be correct. To have a balanced, "un-biasad" understanding of an issue, you should read several regular newspapers of different political leanings, and perhaps newspapers from different countries. For that, you should perhaps learn at least one foreign language, because coultures that share a language tend to be very similar with each other. You should also be able to distinguish a regular newspaper from an amateur site or propaganda site. It's not easy, but see what sources they listed and check for the facts from a few other sites, that are as non-political or politically different as possible. Basically for untraditional media, you'll have to fact-check yourself.

This needs to be taught in schools

one of the best videos of plastic and recycling i ve seen. i have been waiting for someone to make a reasonable video about this topic a long time. great work.

Imagine a smart phone app kinda like four square or randonautica but you take a picture of a littered area and someone can check into that area and snap a pic of it cleaned.