Peak Plastic

Macsporan · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 9:05 pm Post subject: Peak Plastic

One of the little luxuries we're all going to miss are the innumerable plastic widgets that surround us.

How will we cope without plastics?

Can they be recycled?

If not what are the prospects of developing such technology?

Will our grandchildren be posting to the Internet forums of the future on hand-carved wooden computers?

I invite all PO luminaries to turn their collective wisdom in this direction. Very Happy

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Son of the Enlightenment

JoeSchmo · Guest

We've got threads on this. And Peak Plastic will be at the same time as Peak Oil in theory since plastic is made primarily from oil. And since all your children and grand children for all we know will live in huts and take up the practice of cannibalism, I don't think you have to worry about computers. Besides, my computer case is made of metal.

Macsporan · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 9:24 pm Post subject: Re: Peak Plastic

Could some kindly citizen direct me to these plastic threads?

As for cannibalism, no not for me. It leaves such a bad taste in the mouth.
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Son of the Enlightenment

Jack · Moderator Joined: Aug 11, 2004 Posts: 4798

You could use the search function; but I did a quick (and rather naive) simple search, and the answers weren't immediately apparent.

The volume of material for plastics isn't nearly what it is for fuel. Think about the plastic you have around the house; if it were all melted down, it probably wouldn't fill a dozen barrels. But someone with a Hummer 2 will burn that much in a few months. You'll probably keep many of your plastic items for years...

Some plastic can be replaced with paper; MacDonald's did so awhile back. And there have been ongoing efforts to use cornstalks and other such bio-materials to produce plastics.

So on the one hand, plastic will probably become more expensive, I don't think it's quite as big an issue as the fuel problem.
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Macsporan · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 9:54 pm Post subject: Re: Peak Plastic

Thank you Jack. You are a great comfort.

That is one less thing to wake up in the middle of the night screaming about.

If you ever want me to write your ecomium, just let me know.
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Son of the Enlightenment

FairMaiden · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 2:21 pm Post subject: Re: Peak Plastic

Plastic doesn't biodegrade so you'd think it would last alot longer and therefore shouldn't need to be "replaced". On the other hand, all the throw away plastic items like grocery bags, etc can easily be replaced with reusable bags. I don't think our ingeniuty will disappear - we'll be making more use of what we have. Think about 3rd world countries where NOTHING gets wasted. Or things we are already doing like using recycled car tires for house roofing...it can be done...its just been said thats it doesn't make business sense. The higher oil prices go, the more sense the alternatives will make.

AmericanEmpire · Heavy Crude Joined: Jul 14, 2005 Posts: 497

One good thing about peak plastic would be less credit cards made. Very Happy

Gil-Galad · Tar Sands Joined: Sep 19, 2005 Posts: 48 Location: UK

I assume people in the future will have to 'mine' our rubbish tips and then recycle the plastic stored within them

Doly · Expert Joined: Dec 03, 2004 Posts: 4027

If we stop using oil for fuel, there will be plenty for our plastic needs in future centuries.

mommy22 · Heavy Crude Joined: Jul 22, 2005 Posts: 252

When I was at the grocery store the other day, there were signs all along the milk aisle saying something to the tune of "We can't get enough plastic at the moment to make milk jugs like you are used to...sorry for any inconvenience." That was the first time I've seen that!
Question...will "they" be able to make youghurt containers, etc...out of corn,etc..? I know that in Europe, they sell youghurt in little glass jars with aluminum lids, and also, I saw them made out of ceramic (a couple of companies, not all). Just curious!

bobcousins · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 6:07 pm Post subject: Re: Peak Plastic

Plastic prices have been going up.

Hurricane damage squeezes supply of plastic for milk jugs, pipes