The Big Plastic Count

We've just signed up to take part in the big plastic count which starts on Monday 16th. Essentially, it's part of a research project to understand just how many pieces of plastic we use during the week and I suspect, they'll use this to lobby and try and cut back on unnecessary items that could end up polluting the oceans or padding out landfill and never disintegrating.

Just thought I'd post it here in case anybody else wanted to take part and contribute to the research.

The-Big-Plastic-Count-Tally-Sheet-Digital.pdf (thebigplasticcount.com)

 

I have to say the number of plastic items that still aren't recyclable is scandalous not to mention the absolute waste of selling products in half empty containers. From crisps to jars of spices and everything in between . This alone could and should be legislated against.

 

Reduce use is the key, recycling plastic has the smell of greenwash about it …

Look up how often plastic can be recycled (here’s a part of a national geographic article).

3 times before its quality decreases to the point where it can no longer be used.

Additionally, each time plastic is recycled, additional virgin material is added to help “upgrade” its quality, so that the recycled product has a fighting chance in the market against new, durable and fresh goods. So when you read the label “recycled material,” think twice about what the word “recycled” actually means in that context.

 

Completely agree. Having said that, there are also lot's of items of flexible plastic that can be recycled, though for some reason, not widely or easily. I don't know if you try and recycle flexible plastic, but we can do this locally at Sainsburys. So you think of all the packets, seals, films, they are all recyclable, but not through the council, but through Sainsburys. I think other supermarkets do it too, but the last I looked, not to the same level.

We've now got a process of washing god knows how many bits of plastic every day, putting them in a large plastic bag, and then pretty much every week, taking them to Sainsburys at silly o'clock in the morning.

The by product, hardly anything at all goes in our main bin now. It's either recycled in some way, composted, goes in the wormery or gets reused some way.

 

Recycling is better than landfill or dumping in the ocean. Agree that not using it in the first place is even better, but it's nigh on impossible to avoid plastic. Hopefully the research will help them push both of those aspects and stem the tide (pardon the pun).

 

Thought this was going to be a thread about Jordan.
Must read titles properly.

 

I thought it was about Conway

 

He had to put the o in you cant write c u n t .

 

I have to say whenever I'm further South - last weekend I was in Banbury, I see a lot more shops which are directed towards eco-shopping, I wonder if its a wealth thing? There was a shop called "leave only footprints" which sells everything in dispensers whereby I assume you take your own tupperware and bags and thus cut plastic and packaging completely. Never seen one in the North - and I've BEEN to LEEDS.

 

There are a couple fairly near me. One of which is in Peckham! Make of that what you will!

 

One here in Kendal, Another Weigh - take your own containers in or use paper bags. Good quality some things more expensive than normal others cheaper.

 

You are correct sir, 100%. Recycle no, Reduce yes.

 

we've gone back to traditional milkman service, helps to do our bit on plastic. https://themodernmilkman.co.uk

 

Something that Barnsley Football Club could take part in next season with all the single use plastic we hand over like stirrers for drinks or carrier bags in the club shop.

 

They used to have one at Barnsley market didn't they?

 

Still there

 

How many plastic bottles do we think our club goes through in a season when they could use a tap to fill reusable bottles? Gotta be in to the five figures easily.

 

25 pieces of plastic so far after 2 days.

 

Not sure if anyone else took part but just sharing our final tally and experience.

102 pieces of plastic in a household of 2 people over the course of 7 days.

That feels a lot, and the saddening thing, I'm not sure how much we can directly reduce that. Most of it was flexible plastic and most was from food packaging.