I was very interested to to see this earlier today.
Packaging, or rather over-packaging is one of my bugbears, but his article really made me think. Is it realistic to think we could live without plastic anymore?
I think we could cut down on the amount we use and accept, but I’m not sure all of the article is really behind a reduction in plastic use. The bit about meat made me laugh:
“Meat is a prime example, he says, with so-called “modified atmosphere packaging” – gas-filled supermarket packs which delay deterioration – meaning that packaged cuts last as much as two weeks longer than the same product bought from a butcher. “
Who buys meat and keeps it (unfrozen) for more than a few days?
I think if we really gave up plastic we’d end up with very few options. Is it OK to pick up a packet of tea and think “this is OK cos there’s no plastic” and conveniently ignore the fact that the “outer” was probably plastic wrapped? As I’ve mentioned recently, my involvement in a local-ish food co-operative has really made me aware of how much packaging the consumer never gets to see (whether it’s cardboard or plastic) and how buying in bulk doesn’t always help – after all, everything has to be packaged in something, whether you buy it by the 100g or the 1kg.
If we think back to a time pre-plastic, lives were very different. It was rare for both people in a relationship to be working full time. Things do change, but, as some people discovered when they were forced to reduced their car use because they couldn’t afford the petrol with recent price hikes, it is possible for us to still change. We can reduce our use of things current seen as “essential” without “returning to the dark ages” as some put it. “Why should I have to” is something I hear all too often for my liking. Those trotting that out don’t usually like the reply of “because you bloody have to”.
Some people can’t see beyond the convenience and speed at which life is lived today. “Why should I go back to only having one telly in the house? I can afford 5!” What would happen if there was only 1 TV? Would the family actually be forced to sit down together? Oh no! That would be a travesty! A total disaster! Can you imagine what would happen if there was no TV at all? Bloody hell, that would mean families might have to actually talk to each other, play games maybe. What on earth would they do with all that time if they couldn’t sit in front of the TV from 6pm-11pm? 5 hours a day extra to fill.
God, I’d love another 5 hours in my day.
