this post was submitted on 27 Sep 2025
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Assuming that plastic ban was carried out (say in china) how would it affect imports and exports, what would the alternatives be, and would it even be feasible? If so, why has no nation even attempted a ban, even if slightly more expensive isn't aluminium, glass or carton a way healthier alternative?

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[–] stupid_asshole69@hexbear.net 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Plastic is a lightweight byproduct of petroleum refinement.

You’d need to stop using petroleum, because what are you gonna do, let the waste just pile up? Burn it?

You’d need local handling of cleaning and recycling of alternatives because the alternatives are all heavier.

Good luck transporting the alternatives without petroleum, an energy dense fuel that is stable and easily transported.

You don’t get to keep electronics either, because those are widely made of plastic.

Your manufacturing has to go back to lubricated metal, wood or animal byproducts for everything because now you can’t just have two nylon contact surfaces good for ten billion cycles.

[–] WrongOnTheInternet@hexbear.net 2 points 1 month ago

burn it?

That is what happens with gas.

2025 was a new record with ~150 billion cubic metres of natural gas burned off