Hey scientist guys, plastic packaging, which is better, in the trash or burn it?

[2porscheguy]

As I'm trying to eat super healthy these days in order to lower my Hemoglobin a1c level, I've been going through this stuff like crazy:



BUT....I'm really sick of throwing out that chunk of plastic packaging in the trash!

Now, I know burning plastic ain't great for the enviro...but is it any better tossing that non-recyclable stuff in the trash where it ends up in the landfill or, worst yet...in our oceans where it may kill off marine life and destroy ecologically sensitive reefs?

My thought was to toss that $hitt into my firepit and have a weekly burn off....ok, I'll admit that I'm an admitted Pyro too while I'm at it!

What say yee enviro-scientists here?

BTW, Sauteed spinach with a little bit o' buttah? Yummy!!! AND IT'S VERY GOOD FOR YOU TOO!!!

[masraum]

Originally Posted by 2porscheguy

As I'm trying to eat super healthy these days in order to lower my Hemoglobin a1c level, I've been going through this stuff like crazy:



BUT....I'm really sick of throwing out that chunk of plastic packaging in the trash!

Now, I know burning plastic ain't great for the enviro...but is it any better tossing that non-recyclable stuff in the trash where it ends up in the landfill or, worst yet...in our oceans where it may kill off marine life and destroy ecologically sensitive reefs?

My thought was to toss that $hitt into my firepit and have a weekly burn off....ok, I'll admit that I'm an admitted Pyro too while I'm at it!

What say yee enviro-scientists here?

BTW, Sauteed spinach with a little bit o' buttah? Yummy!!! AND IT'S VERY GOOD FOR YOU TOO!!!

Are you sure those plastic boxes aren't recyclable? It seems like the stuff that we get from our salads is usually recyclable.

What's the number in the triangle on the bottom?

[billybek]

From the City of Calgary website:
The City of Calgary - Fire Pit Safety
Only burn clean, dry firewood. Do NOT burn:
Wood that is painted, treated or contains glue or resin
Wood from a different location, region or province
Wet or green/fresh cut wood
Yard waste (cut grass or leaves)
Garbage
Rubber or plastic
Furniture

[wdfifteen]

^^
Wow, Calgary would haul me away in handcuffs.
Those boxes are listed as recyclable by our waste disposal people, but whether they actually recycle it or send it to the landfill depends on the market for used plastic.

[2porscheguy]

Ok, it looks like it's probably recyclable....so I won't burn it.

But what about the non-recyclable stuff? I guess my question really was about which would be better (if it's not recyclable)....burn or trash (which may often end up in the marine environment)? After all this stuff takes decades to decompose if it ever does.

[Cajundaddy]

Airborne dioxin is a serious byproduct of burning plastic as it is one of the most carcinogenic compounds known. Not a great thing to release into your neighborhood. Most plastic is recyclable so check with your local waste handlers.

[93nav]

I would think that properly disposed of in the trash would be best. USA trash usually ends up in landfills, not in the ocean.

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by Jrboulder

most comes from Asia.

Yes, China and India. India always manages to fly under the radar but guilty as hell.

[ckelly78z]

I recycle everything I can as far as kitchen/household trash goes, but I burn the remainder in a burn barrel. Somehow, I doubt that the 1/2 hour smoke from my weekly burn will still be lingering 30 years from now like the unburnt trash would be if it were in a landfill...leeching to the water table.

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

I recycle everything I can as far as kitchen/household trash goes, but I burn the remainder in a burn barrel. Somehow, I doubt that the 1/2 hour smoke from my weekly burn will still be lingering 30 years from now like the unburnt trash would be if it were in a landfill...leeching to the water table.

Can't know what is being burned but all of your plume will end up somewhere on the surface again.

Not that this applies to you specifically but a lot of people think burning is some sort of magic where things disappear. They don't. They just go into the air to be dispersed. It is definitely pollution.

[cabmandone]

I've done enough reading on recycling to know it's not doing much good at this point. Several reports of that plastic we recycle ending up in landfills. No money in plastic recycling. I'm the one that finds a plastic container in the trash at home and pulls it out to put it in the recycle. We have to find better packaging than plastic or we'll have stacks of it everywhere.

[john70t]

Probably the only 'safe' way to burn plastic is through an industrial plasma incinerator process which still produces NOX.

If it stays in the ground inert forever that would be a good thing.

[OldSpool87]

What about just buying it loose at the store? BTW- good for you for trying to do something healthy.

[pksystems]

Just throw it in the recycle bin. Let them figure it out. Works for used brake rotors.

Calgary's gold plated recycling program cost is going to skyrocket.

[t6dpilot]

That package is a #1. Recycle it, do not burn it.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by pavulon

Not that this applies to you specifically but a lot of people think burning is some sort of magic where things disappear.

The magic is throwing it in the creek. It disappears with the next hard rain.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

The magic is throwing it in the creek. It disappears with the next hard rain.

Just call it a squirrel boat!

[GH85Carrera]

My understanding is the recycle places bale together the plastic into big cubes, and try to find a buyer. Almost no one wants it. Often the bale is just taken to the landfill. On occasion some third world company will buy it. They often use it in ways that pollute.

For years I have seen news clips on how someone is just a few years from a simple economical process to turn plastic back into oils that are useful. That always seems to be a few years away. Like nuclear fusion, just a few more years......

[VincentVega]

Even if the plastic goes to the landfill at least its compressed or at least better packaged to take up less space than if just tossed into a bin. Burning puts nasty stuff in the air that comes back when it rains or gets filtered through things like lungs. Dont do that, please.

[Alfasrule]

If we don't recycle stuff like that in Vermont we could get fined at the dump.
My question is!
If we have enough plastic sitting in our Oceans and Recycling Centers why make more from the raw materials?
Mafia?