On: Outside the safe operating space of a new planetar...

[guelo]

I used to also but then I started thinking how obscene it is that the piece of plastic will be around for thousands of years just so I can have slightly more convenience for an hour or two.

[ch4s3 → guelo]

I guess. It’s a minimal amount of material that’s made from a waste product anyway. Pottery and glass last just as long, or longer.

Something made of cellulose that breaks down more easily would be better, so long as it comes from agricultural byproducts.

*edit I’m saying this might be better because some light plastics like straws end in in storm drains and on road sides, so something that breaks down over time into organic compounds might be preferable.

[eru → ch4s3]

Why would that be better? Plastic somewhere in a landfill doesn't bother anyone, does it? Not more than pottery and glass in a landfill.

And later cultures could dig it up and burn it, if they wanted to.

[ch4s3 → eru]

I mean marginally, you know in case it ends up in a river or something.

[eru → ch4s3]

Maybe. But someone can cut themselves on glass shards, too..

[ch4s3 → eru]

Yeah, I’m fine with plastic straws.

[eru → guelo]

So? How high is the total impact of manufacturing that piece of plastic? It probably pales compared to eg the coffee beans used. Or the cardboard cup.

Stones stay around for a long time, too, but no one cares. (And fire can destroy plastic easily.)