Plastic is not recycled.
We are going about the implementation of “sustainable practices” in an unsustainable way. I think there are definitely things in society in which we can and should do to improve the efficiency of society.
Do what you can to save on resources at home. Wash glass jars and bottles for later use, use solar (only, not wind) where possible. Turn off equipment to save power. Reuse items as much as possible. Those are things every man can do. It’s even very budget friendly to reuse items.
However we can’t rush into full electrical everything before the technology is ready. Solar is the best option as it requires almost no upkeep. But its efficiency has left a lot to the imagination. Batteries are definitely not ready for what we are doing.
Now a tank of diesel fuel has a much higher energy density than a large battery system. A diesel tank is also relatively inexpensive, whereas batteries require regulatory electronics. Batteries are also expensive. Fuel tanks also have the benefit of being refilled in a matter of minutes, while batteries require multiple hours to reach full capacity.
Recycling is even worse. There is no profitable market for mixed plastics, that is, plastics that are part new and part recycled. It is almost always more profitable to make new resins than to use recycled plastic.
Plastic is numbered 1-7 by it's chemical composition. What, you thought that triangle of arrows with a number inside was a recycling symbol? No, it's a resin identification code. Only 1s and 2s are commonly recycled. The main thing recyclers are after is metal, which is profitable to recycle. See a pattern?
We should use green energy things where we can. But in places where fuel oil, or combustion engines shine, they should be left alone until battery technology improves. Reuse items at home if you really want to recycle.
April 8th 2025.
#climatechange #conspiracy #environment #fuelefficient #Lemon8Diary
From my own experience trying to live more sustainably, I've realized that recycling plastic is far more complicated than it seems. The resin identification codes on plastics, those little numbers inside a triangle, aren't recycling symbols but rather type identifiers. Only plastics labeled 1 (PET) and 2 (HDPE) are commonly recycled due to established processes and market demand. Most other plastics either end up in landfills or incinerators because recycling mixed plastics isn't economically viable. I used to believe that simply tossing every plastic item into the recycling bin was helping the environment, but I learned that contamination and mixed materials often spoil entire batches. This insight pushed me to focus more on reducing plastic use and reusing what I already have at home. For example, washing and repurposing glass jars for storage cuts down on the need for plastic containers. It's a small change but feels rewarding and budget-friendly. When it comes to energy, I agree with the perspective that solar power, despite some limitations, remains a reliable and low-maintenance green energy source. Batteries, however, still have a long way to go to match the energy density and fast refueling convenience of diesel fuel tanks, especially for intensive applications like transportation. Until battery technology advances, some traditional fuels will remain practical in certain contexts. Recycling programs often prioritize metals because they hold strong market value, unlike plastics which can be costly to process. This economic reality means that public education about recycling must emphasize reducing and reusing over blind optimism about recycling everything. Ultimately, adopting sustainable practices requires a balanced approach—embracing green energy where feasible and understanding the limits of current technologies. Focusing on conscious consumption, reusing items, and supporting innovation in battery and recycling technology can have a meaningful impact. Sharing these experiences within communities can help spread practical solutions beyond just individual efforts.
