Want to save the earth? Let's ban Styrofoam!

[Ketchup]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...yrofoam-New-York-City-impossible-recycle.html

What would we do without Bloomberg!

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

Enduring minor inconveniences for a long term greater good is not the American way.

 

[Dr. Zaus]

I think they should ban farting in public.

 

[sourn]

While imo this guy is a freaking idiot.. But even idiots can manage to do something right every so often.

 

[Ausm]

We should ban the current elected GOP officials on the Hill for a start but Hell, they are doing a great job of that themselves.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

here in san francisco and in a neighboring county theyve banned plastic bags, so if you go into a store like walmart or the grocery you now have to carry all your crap to your car in your hands.

i dont mind getting rid of styrofoam, you cant put it in the microwave

 

[Agent11]

It's actually a good idea, should ban it nationally though. There is no reason to use stuff that cannot be recycled and that does not biodegrade, there are other options.

 

[boomerang]

We should ban the current elected GOP officials on the Hill for a start but Hell, they are doing a great job of that themselves.

37 Statistics Which Show How Four Years Of Obama Have Wrecked the U.S. Economy

My reply has as much relevance to the topic of the thread as yours. What do you think? Check the dailykos and get back with us.

Next, I'll post an article about drilling bowling balls.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

37 Statistics Which Show How Four Years Of Obama Have Wrecked the U.S. Economy

My reply has as much relevance to the topic of the thread as yours. What do you think? Check the dailykos and get back with us.

Next, I'll post an article about drilling bowling balls.

i dont see anything there that obama was responsible for, eight years of bush policies and multiple bush wars had destroyed the economy before obama was even elected

 

[KB]

Not sure we should ban it yet, but we definately need a bio-degradable alternative. We have corn based plastics, can't we get some corn based styrofoam that isn't super expensive.

 

[UglyCasanova]

Sounds like a good idea to me. I know people like to harp on the "nanny state" and especially Bloomberg, but its about time society starts paying for the true cost of things. Environmental degradation is a real life cost associated with these products, and unfortunately it can be very difficult to monetize and pass on the cost to the end consumer (who is ultimately the one causing it via their consumption), and then use those proceeds to adequately compensate those affected by it (in this case society at large).

There may be better ways to handle it than a complete ban (tax it and us 100% of the tax revenue for funding a styrofoam recycling program), but something is better than nothing. I am all for freedom of choice and to e able to do or buy whatever you want, I just recognize that there are many unborn costs associated with acts or products and these need to be addressed and paid for by the end user. Unfortunately it's much easier to just shrug and say that's not my problem.

 

[Atreus21]

If I recall correctly from the environmental science merit badge from 15 years ago, styrofoam has a longer decomposition period than glass. I think it was hinted at that it may never decompose.

So, I make damn sure I recycle the stuff. Seems good enough to me.

Wait, it can't be recycled? I always see the recycle logo underneath the container. DISCLAIMER: I have no in-depth knowledge about recycling. I just toss anything with the logo into the recycle bin.

 

[Jaskalas]

It's actually a good idea, should ban it nationally though. There is no reason to use stuff that cannot be recycled and that does not biodegrade, there are other options.

Much as I hate to side with "the enemy", biodegradable materials are something to be promoted.

 

[BurnItDwn]

here in san francisco and in a neighboring county theyve banned plastic bags, so if you go into a store like walmart or the grocery you now have to carry all your crap to your car in your hands.

i dont mind getting rid of styrofoam, you cant put it in the microwave

lol
I'm sure you're allowed to bring your own bags to the stores...

 

[Ketchup]

i dont see anything there that obama was responsible for, eight years of bush policies and multiple bush wars had destroyed the economy before obama was even elected

So Obama has been in office for 4 years and we can still blame everything on Bush? Interesting.

 

[Ausm]

37 Statistics Which Show How Four Years Of Obama Have Wrecked the U.S. Economy

My reply has as much relevance to the topic of the thread as yours. What do you think? Check the dailykos and get back with us.

Next, I'll post an article about drilling bowling balls.

LOLwut???

 

[bradley]

So Obama has been in office for 4 years and we can still blame everything on Bush? Interesting.

I guess Bush was a more effective President than most Americans initially thought. lol

 

[gevorg]

here in san francisco and in a neighboring county theyve banned plastic bags, so if you go into a store like walmart or the grocery you now have to carry all your crap to your car in your hands.

i dont mind getting rid of styrofoam, you cant put it in the microwave

common, they banned "free" bags, now they're just $0.10/ea

 

[Gintaras]

i dont see anything there that obama was responsible for, eight years of bush policies and multiple bush wars had destroyed the economy before obama was even elected

Stop blaming bush or obama - all fault @ those who elect bush'es and obama's - those, like OBLAMA2009 or others like him:

"We're soooo gooood, we can't just elect right people"

 

[Thebobo]

I guess Bush was a more Deffective President than most Americans initially thought. lol

:hmm:

 

[LTC8K6]

Styrofoam kept your drink or food cold/warm at least. It also doesn't leak after an hour.

It's also recyclable, but few seem to bother recycling it.

 

[nextJin]

But what will they ship my 80" TV in?

 

[sunzt]

Styrofoam kept your drink or food cold/warm at least. It also doesn't leak after an hour.

It's also recyclable, but few seem to bother recycling it.

It's recyclable, but it breaks in to very small little balls which take extra processing to remove. Bloomberg said it's about $20 extra per ton. I don't know the relative cost of it, but it is an extra cost that's VERY hard to pass onto the consumer. The city/recycling plant has to eat that cost.

Plus, many people don't realize microwaving Styrofoam containers with food is pretty much like eating styrofoam.

 

[SagaLore]

I don't like NYC, but I think I like that guy.

If you read the article, banning it makes sense in many different ways.

 

[Mixolydian]

I've never been a styrofoam fan. Especially that awful screeching sound it makes when you handle it/break it. *shudder*