GDP growth for the second quarter was +4.1%, second highest in 15 years

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by zimmy

There are 9 billion tons of plastic going in the ocean each year. It is calculated that there are 8 billion straws on the world's shorelines. They aren't recyclable, they aren't necessary, there are alternatives. The ones you use might end up in the trash, but there are 500 million used per day in this country and lots of those don't get in the trash and lots that do still end up in water ways. It is a simple fix to a major problem.Much easier than fixing the budget. I do trash them but I also haven't used one unless it was put in my cup without asking me in probably 20 years. I worry more about the affects of plastic on marine ecosystems than I do about someone's straw for their cup of Sprite.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

US Plastic Straws - a terrible terrible gross mismanagement of the world ecosystem.



Linky: http://www.northeastern.edu/rugglesm...e-should-know/

Now it really is a problem, but a small one. It is TERRIBLY effective as fuel for the OutrageMachine, for both sides.

Next you won't be able to meltdown your straws in order to print an AR15 with a highcapacity semiautoclip.

[spence]

Originally Posted by JohnR

US Plastic Straws - a terrible terrible gross mismanagement of the world ecosystem.



Linky: http://www.northeastern.edu/rugglesm...e-should-know/

Now it really is a problem, but a small one. It is TERRIBLY effective as fuel for the OutrageMachine, for both sides.

Next you won't be able to meltdown your straws in order to print an AR15 with a highcapacity semiautoclip.

How much of China's mismanaged plastic originated in other nations?

[detbuch]

Originally Posted by spence

How much of China's mismanaged plastic originated in other nations?

So other nations have to be penalized for China's mismanagement? I don't think we want to go down that road.

[zimmy]

Originally Posted by detbuch

So other nations have to be penalized for China's mismanagement? I don't think we want to go down that road.

I read that as we are in the top 20 of plastic pollution. There are 195 countries so we are in the top 10% of contributors. Because china is worse we should ignore it? Seems like a pretty low standard to set. Outrage machine? The outraged seem to be all the children crying in the street over the fact that they won't get a straw at McDonald's. Never mind, I haven't seen that. Without this forum, I wouldn't have known anyone would be outraged.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[The Dad Fisherman]

Originally Posted by zimmy

I read that as we are in the top 20 of plastic pollution. There are 195 countries so we are in the top 10% of contributors. Because china is worse we should ignore it? Seems like a pretty low standard to set. Outrage machine? The outraged seem to be all the children crying in the street over the fact that they won't get a straw at McDonald's. Never mind, I haven't seen that. Without this forum, I wouldn't have known anyone would be outraged.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

I guess some just can't comprehend that it isn't really about the straws, its about the Ban.

[zimmy]

Originally Posted by The Dad Fisherman

I guess some just can't comprehend that it isn't really about the straws, its about the Ban.

I know that is what it is about for some of you. Poor personal freedom infringed now if you go to Seattle they won't stick a plastic straw in your soda without asking like they did last year. What is this world coming to?
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by spence

How much of China's mismanaged plastic originated in other nations?

Dunno - persoanlly I think it should bre recycled and ground here and then reused.

How much of the world's mismanaged plastic originated from China?

But going with your premise - how far do you want to go back with the plastic? To the middle East as oil / petroleum products? Dinosaurs? This is a good point - let's ban Dinosaurs and other Prehistoric Flora and Fauna For Little Sally's straw ; )

Originally Posted by zimmy

Funny. But, and I am sure the faux news types won't tell you this, straws aren't banned outright in the places that have done it. It is a restaurant and bar ban. That little girl can take her straw anywhere she wants. Like they used to say at the end of gi Joe, knowing is half the battle.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

The whole entire notion is ludicrous, that banning of straws anywhere will truly curtail the plastioceanic gyres that blight the oceans.

Want to fight pollution? Fine the people polluting. There are existing laws for this, rarely enforced. Start there.

Originally Posted by zimmy

I read that as we are in the top 20 of plastic pollution. There are 195 countries so we are in the top 10% of contributors. Because china is worse we should ignore it? Seems like a pretty low standard to set. Outrage machine? The outraged seem to be all the children crying in the street over the fact that they won't get a straw at McDonald's. Never mind, I haven't seen that. Without this forum, I wouldn't have known anyone would be outraged.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

And by the above NEU study we are 1/20th what the leading producer of tonnes of plastic pollution. If you add all other 175 producers we probably 1/30th of total plastipollution. But Santa Barbara will feel good they did something goshdarnit ; )

Someone needs to print a Rascinate out of recycled Plastic Straws, next to their AR15