Banning plastic straws is next

[avandelay]

I really wish that our representatives will address the issues of the state instead of going for the 'Look at how progressive I am' stuff to put on their next four-color election mailer -

https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/politics/colorado-legislature-considers-regulating-plastic-straws?fbclid=IwAR0Y3dV8ZJe6ISsgjjLqbWJ0BdeI4QwUrw isDWWGgKmFGH9MSKkGx33ZoWs

[Irving]

It really seems like more effort to find ways to effectively recycle plastic would be better than the effort to ban it.

[avandelay]

Agreed. Some better sorting tech would be better. I know my recycling provider is very picky and wants very clean cardboard and plastic. If it isn't clean they toss it to the landfill. That said, they're going after bills that, in the grand scheme of things, are more nanny state than actually addressing the finance issues. They always seem to have money for pet projects, but never sufficient monies for roads? More money for school districts yet teachers are going on strike? I think that is a bit more important than straws.

[Irving]

Creating a way to better recycle plastic would probably create jobs and keep the oil industry relevant. Seems like a lot of parties would have an interest in such an endeavor.

[buffalobo]

If it were about straws or recycling.

[StagLefty]

If it weren't for straws I'd need a bib [Sarcasm2]

[Skip]

If it were about straws or recycling.

^ THIS

It's like the same lesson over and over again... It's not about the "thing," it's about making us bend our knees giving up one thing after another after another.

[O2HeN2]

https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1143

[brutal]

Creating a way to better recycle plastic would probably create jobs and keep the oil industry relevant. Seems like a lot of parties would have an interest in such an endeavor.

It's all about cost effectiveness. China reportedly already takes in 45% of the world's recyclable plastics for recycle and reuse. https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/science/2018/09/07/great-pacific-garbage-patch-where-did-all-trash-come/1133838002/

Do you suppose it's cost effective to collect and ship plastic waste from Colorado to China?

I'm not being sarcastic, I'm really asking.

FWIW, Plastic straws are estimated to make up (per item) less than 4% of ocean waste, and by volume, less than .25%

I'm also confused how a Colorado plastic straw (of any measurable amount) destined for a landfill, makes its way into lakes, rivers, streams, and oceans?

[kidicarus13]

How is Colorado ever going to be like California if we don't pass California-like laws?

[newracer]

Most of the plastic waste in the ocean comes from India.

[newracer]

https://i.redd.it/18462lab2kb21.jpg

[O2HeN2]

At least they drew the snorkle on the correct side. :)

O2

[Irving]

I've been reading about shipping waste to China. It is cheaper to send recyclables there because there isn't much of an infrastructure here. China has been threatening to cut off accepting all the worlds trash, so us and a few other countries are going to have to figure something out pretty quick.

[roberth]

buffalobo - absolutely right

brutal - since when are idiots ever concerned with cost effectiveness,

kidicarus13 - correct

newracer - thank you; i love how the USA gets blamed for everything and is expected to do whatever it takes to "fix" it.

[BPTactical]

Democrats want to ban straws because they don't like the concept of something sucking more than they do.

[ray1970]

And with no straws they?re free to suck on other things.

[DavieD55]

They want to ban plastic straws because of the environment yet they want to hand out plastic syringes to junkies like they're going out of style.

[Ah Pook]

I hate straws. Don't need nor use them.

That said, I don't want the "nanny state" telling me what I can and can't do.

[roberth]

And with no straws they?re free to suck on other things.

I think the gov already does.

[Great-Kazoo]

OK for those too young, or old enough to forget. Here's the deal on plastic straws, bags, etc.

The environmentalist in their efforts to stop deforestation in the PNW looked for things / ways to offset the demand for paper products. Hence Plastic bags, straws, placemats etc.

NOW........... the same people concerned about the plastic waste, want everyone to go back to more eco friendly products (PAPER). See the mental masturbation logic process of the feels folks.

[Irving]

They want to ban plastic straws because of the environment yet they want to hand out plastic syringes to junkies like they're going out of style.

That's funny because it's true, which also makes it sad.

[brutal]

They want to ban plastic straws because of the environment yet they want to hand out plastic syringes to junkies like they're going out of style.


OK for those too young, or old enough to forget. Here's the deal on plastic straws, bags, etc.

The environmentalist in their efforts to stop deforestation in the PNW looked for things / ways to offset the demand for paper products. Hence Plastic bags, straws, placemats etc.

NOW........... the same people concerned about the plastic waste, want everyone to go back to more eco friendly products (PAPER). See the mental masturbation logic process of the feels folks.

Liberal logic 101

[roberth]

Thank you Kazoo

[avandelay]

It just boggles my mind that this legislature seems to be doing anything other than addressing the problems facing this state. Instead of addressing the infrastructure they go after feel good social programs and banning straws. Instead of working within the bounds of TABOR they look for any loophole or fee to increase already increasing revenue, or keep the excesses for their pet projects other than infrastructure. I used to think that term limits are a good thing to battle stuff like this, but the new D leadership, much like the old D leadership, seems to have the same multi-state playbook to ban straws, promote late term abortion (sort of blows the rape/incest reason out the window) and spend the state coffers on anything but infrastructure, then claim to need more taxes to address the issues they ignored (and spend that on something else anyway). I wish the R's had a similar playbook to fall back on, but they don't and I doubt the Rs will ever have the house again because of the majority of the house districts are around Denver and Boulder.

[CS1983]

They?ll pry my plastic straw from my cool, refreshed lips.

[ChickNorris]

^^^^ hehehe

[Eric P]

It really seems like more effort to find ways to effectively recycle plastic would be better than the effort to ban it.

We were asked by a state legislator if we could incorporate recycled plastics into concrete and asphalt. The simple answer is yes we could, but the realistic answer is no. If you grind plastics to beach sand size and consistency, you could substitute it for up to 10 percent of the sand used in concrete without worrying about strength and durability. But add anymore, you would have to which devil is worse. Lowed strength can be offset with more cement, but cement production is the number one industrial CO2 source. Then you have to look at the storage and production cost of plastic sand. Plastic sand is 20 times more expensive than natural sand and about as expensive as cement (which is the most expensive component). Then since plastic doesn't bond with concrete, as a roadway is worn away, that fine plastic is liberated and free to wash away into the drains into waterways. And how would one need to store plastic sand at a concrete plant? You couldn't store it in open bins like real sand, as it would blow or wash away. Concrete suppliers would have to add additional silo's to a plant. Most plants can not be expanded without great expense. We currently have no idea what the durability of plastic containing concrete is, as it has not been researched. But my guess is since it requires more cement for the same strength, durability goes down. If durability goes down, we would be replacing infrastructure sooner, increasing the costs to tax payers.

All in all, recycling plastics into concrete is a no win situation... unless you own a recycling company and line the pockets of your favorite politician to mandate its use in state highway projects.

[def90]

“The bill would also prohibit local governments from attempting to regulate plastic straws as well.”

Kind of like guns.. ;)

[boxy]

NOW........... the same people concerned about the plastic waste, want everyone to go back to more eco friendly products (PAPER). See the mental masturbation logic process of the feels folks.

They don't want people to go back to paper, they want people to go to canvas totes that they can use over and over again.

However, the energy it takes to make a single use plastic bag is orders of magnitude less than it takes to make a reusable tote... So it becomes a question of, which do you think is more damaging: Plastics in the environment, or carbon emissions?

Personally I'll use totes.

[ray1970]

This planet only has to last about thirty more years. What happens to it beyond that isn?t my concern.

[Irving]

This planet only has to last about thirty more years. What happens to it beyond that isn?t my concern.

Please tell me that's how you sign every birthday card to your kids. "So enjoy this two-stroke dirt bike and this AquaNet, Love, Dad"

LMAO

[ray1970]

Ha.

My guess is no matter what I do to try and ruin the environment the world will probably be around for several generations beyond me.

[BPTactical]

On another note, I really believe in global warming.
Look at the facts- it's been getting warmer for the last 12,000 years since the last Ice Age ended.

[ray1970]

We know you love the environment. That?s why you never did bluing.

[Great-Kazoo]

This planet only has to last about thirty more years. What happens to it beyond that isn?t my concern.

30, i'm good with 25. Hell i'll probably forget why it's so hot or cold in another 15..

[Bailey Guns]

Well, you're all screwed. There's only 12 years left.

[Great-Kazoo]

Well, you're all screwed. There's only 12 years left.

DAMMIT. Looks like the millenials are right. There will be no social security for them

[BushMasterBoy]

800 days left before the space aliens attack. Each block on the timeline is 2 years. Note the two unfinished blocks. Since this glyph in the wheat field occured 2017, 2021 is the year of the real Apocalypse. War is hell!

http://www.cropcircleconnector.com/2017/suttonhall/suttonhall2017a.html

[Irving]

What if that is just the year that the entire world gets free, over the air, broadband internet?

[roberth]

DAMMIT. Looks like the millenials are right. There will be no social security for them

Don't they have to get jobs first?