Unwanted plastic and wood cutlery.

The planet actually saw what a straw did to a poor turtle.

So now plastic straws have disappeared very quickly.
(Although some disabled people said it made their life hell, or more difficult).

But what about plastic spoons and forks?

I'm sure the fork I threw straight in the bin could poke a penguin in the eye.

And what about the wooden chop-sticks?
Do they come from a never ending forest?

OK, plastic straws are bad, but all that other cutlery made of plastic and wood is good?

Why is it assumed you need it anyway?

I can eat with my mouth and my hands!

See plastic franchises - well fed, not a planet dead.

a reply to: halfoldman

Do they come from a never ending forest?

Yes they do.

Most wood products in america come from tree farms.

a reply to: scraedtosleep

Good to hear.
But I assure you none of the wooden chop-sticks here come from the US.

I only wanted some sushi.

Now I've got a plastic tray, a plastic lid, wooden chop-sticks (never used, it breaks your heart to discard something new into the trash-bin) and that soy sauce baggie that always squirts in my eye.

Never mind the plants and animals involved (another thread) - but just the plastic involved.

And it goes 24 hours ... forks and chop-sticks people will never actually use.

That is abusing the planet.

Forgive us, oh mama.

originally posted by: halfoldman
a reply to: scraedtosleep

I only wanted some sushi.

Now I've got a plastic tray, a plastic lid, wooden chop-sticks (never used, it breaks your heart to discard something new into the trash-bin) and that soy sauce baggie that always squirts in my eye.

In the grocery stores, I've seen garlic bulbs all broken up and placed in plastic containers. I've seen oranges peeled and placed in plastic containers.

It makes no sense at all....

a reply to: snowspirit

Nope it makes no sense.

I think we're onto a real conspiracy here people!

Plastic firms (I assume attached to the oil/petroleum firms).

I wanted a veggie burger, now I'm stuck with a mountain of plastic.

Put it in a green paper bag (keeping up appearances), but it's still loads of plastic.

a reply to: halfoldman

The first step is to change your buying habits.

If this is an issue for you then don't give your money to the people who make plastic forks and wooden chopsticks.

When you give them your money you are an accomplice in how they do business.

a reply to: scraedtosleep

In that case, I may never have take-aways.

Can't enjoy the evening with my bros.

a reply to: halfoldman

What's more important?

Not being part of a system that pollutes the world
or

Having fun with your bros.

I am not judging. Just saying IF this is an issue for you there are steps you can take to lesson your own personal impact.

And one of the best steps to take is to not give companies you disagree with your money.

a reply to: halfoldman

I'm sure the fork I threw straight in the bin could poke a penguin in the eye. And what about the wooden chop-sticks? Do they come from a never ending forest? OK, plastic straws are bad, but all that other cutlery made of plastic and wood is good?

So you're saying we haven't made enough changes, I agree.

Somebody is off their meds.

a reply to: scraedtosleep

Already trying.

Telling waitpersons and staff - please don't put plastic knives and forks in my paper bag.
Ditto chopsticks.

I got real knives and forks at home.

A small difference, but ultimately it still comes in packaging.

But added up over a year that's no small difference - probably thousands of unwanted forks and knives.

Companies are making money hand over fist in a big way:

LAZINESS.

People are just too damn lazy.
Too lazy to husk corn, shell peanuts, chop veggies, slice meats, filet fish, shell shrimp, peel oranges, slice onions, the list goes on.

But everything we consume is housed in plastic.
Your computer is housed in plastic.
So is that smartphone you are using while on the toilet.

Will we ever escape it? Nope.
It's cheaper than ever before and screw the planet.
Money comes first! Deadlines! Bonuses!

Ugh. It truly maddens me.

a reply to: halfoldman

And just imagine how many they sell per day....

It would be a very large dent in waste if everyone told them to not include the cutlery with their orders.

a reply to: havok

But everything we consume is housed in plastic. Your computer is housed in plastic. So is that smartphone you are using while on the toilet.

I cook all my own food and gave up owning a car years ago. I buy all my cloths 2ed hand.

But I can't seem to give up my tech.....

Barely any waste or plastic in my life except all my tech.

Everyone has a line I guess.

I'm a weird one.

I like to go camping with no food or water and nothing for shelter but a tarp and a military cot.
I go out for days even weeks like that.

But I always carry my smartphone , my kindle , a battery pack to keep them charged and a solar panel to keep the battery pack full......

I have gotten so good at surviving out in the woods that without the 100s of books and comics and music I have on my kindle I would be board to tears.

a reply to: scraedtosleep

The funny thing is, they don't sell it.

Unless deliberately declined it comes with their firm.

Which is even more disturbing.

You are paying for that plastic fork, whether you accept it or not.

It's inclusive in your food's price.

Is this the biggest problem you have in your life?

You must be very fortunate indeed.

a reply to: Metallicus

No it's the biggest distraction I have in my life.

And I am happy to be here (on ATS) indeed.

But then I'm also happy I'm not a sea-creature, because this is where it all gets dumped.

reply to: halfoldman

I was always bothered by the number of plastic spoons and forks that came with certain take out dishes, and I used to keep them, even though I never used them, until they piled up to such a degree that they needed to be thrown out. I guess it's all right for people who consume on the go, but for people who take things home—or even for those meals that don't require cutlery but are included anyway—it's a waste.

Insofar as chopstick, and this included wood and bamboo skewers, I generally reuse them. Just wash, and put in the drawer. Why the hell would you throw them away unless you're a lazy disposalist?

Regarding plastic straws, there are several places around here (not fast food joints, but more eco-conscious middle=class, urban (quasi-hipster?) liberal areas where they have transitioned to paper straws, which is equally cool. Plus, a lot of the plastic cups are industrially compostable, with bins available.

But yeah, plastic cutlery bothers me. I never remember to say "hold the plastic."

ETA:

Oh yeah, I remember as a kid the awareness campaign about plastic six pack rings that came on soda cans, and seeing the images about how the animals would get their heads stuck in them, then grow and eventually get strangled. So, I used to cut them. I don't see them nearly as much as I used to, even on plastic bottles, which also used them to hold them together.