I am often appalled by the embrace of consumerism by the zero waste movement — the bamboo tooth brushes, the metal straws, the compostable and organic products — that are hallmarks of the industry movement. Rather then a focus on reducing consumption, making do with what you have, saving and investing, buying in bulk and with less packaging.
A picture of a styrofoam egg carton that blew away from the barn. We reuse old egg cartons at our farm for the sale of eggs, as new egg cartons are expensive, and a waste of resources to keep sending them to the landfill.
Taken on Tuesday January 16, 2007 at Trash.There are some who want to replace single use plastics with single use aluminum or glass containers, noting the greater recycablity of both materials. But I think it’s a bad idea:
The only argument I with this article is this section:
Look at the items on your plastic inventory list and ask yourself, "What can I replace the plastic with?" Chhotray is a big fan of going reusable, and her backpack is proof: "I carry my reusable water bottle, my reusable tumbler because I'm a tea addict. I have bamboo cutlery." She says some days she also carries chopsticks and a reusable straw. "My family sort of makes fun of me because my backpacks are starting to get bigger and bigger every year."
Arellano swapped bath products that came in plastic bottles for ones that come as bars — a shampoo bar and a bar of soap.
I don't think the way to reduce your trash is buy more trash. Seriously, do you need to go out and buy more sustainable products, when you probably already have too much junk? Just go into your cupboard and grab your drinking water bottle or metal silverware. No need to buy a special wood fork, you are going throw away when you can get one from your kitchen. Metal is easier to wash and keep clean, and it's not like metal silverware is real expensive.
The New York State Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee has long been concerned with the growing threat to the environment caused by the illegal disposal of hazardous and solid wastes. It has also noted that an ironic consequence of the development of environmental laws to control pollution has been the creation of a new era of opportunity for those who do not demur at criminal behavior if it guarantees easy profits. There is a substantial body of evidence that organized crime controls much of the solid waste disposal industry in New York State and elsewhere. There is also evidence that the criminal activity is not confined entirely to organized crime, but is also engaged in by other unscrupulous entrepreneurs; and that there have also been instances of multinational corporations not hesitating to jeopardize public health and safety.
Official documents are available, including the congressional hearings on Organized Crime Links to the Waste Disposal Industry, held in 1980 and 1981, which suggest the extent to which organized crime has become imbedded in the waste disposal industry.