Plastics in the News - General News

The News & Observer
April 22, 2008 - Some states and cities have considered banning or taxing disposable plastic bags. The council said one truck carrying plastic bags can carry the same number of bags as seven trucks hauling bulkier paper ones.And then there is the issue of trees. ...
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Telegram & Gazette
April 22, 2008 - Less than 1 percent of plastic bags are recycled, the two said. Flynn said the plastic bag is not the problem; the problem is what people do with the plastic bag afterwards. “We have concerns about the consumers who utilize plastic bags to protect product that is either perishable, frozen or can be handled much better in a plastic.” Mr. ...
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Diet Blog
April 22, 2008 - The plastic is more likely to release BPA when repeatedly heated at high temperatures. Don't wash polycarbonate plastic containers in the dishwasher. ...
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Gizmodo
April 21, 2008 - Biodegradable plastics aren't new, but in the past they've been pretty weak and expensive. Eco-geeks at the Missouri University of Science and Technology have come up with the anti-daywalker of plastic: All of its strengths, but it disintegrates in four months. Another is polylactic acid, which is made by fermenting starches, and breaks down in just 60 days—it's a possible candidate for water bottle plastics. ...
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Houston Chronicle
April 21, 2008 - He doesn't use plastic silverware or drink from plastic cups, though he freezes food in some plastic containers. ...
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Tri-City Herald
April 20, 2008 - ...industry publication Recycling Today, said he sees industry sentiment about plastic starting to change.Just as metal and paper have become established as easily recyclable, plastic is likely on its way.Especially as consumers buy more goods made of recycled plastic, said Gail Everett, environmental education coordinator for the city of Richland.A majority of the Mid-Columbia's recycled plastic gets sent overseas because Asian countries have the technology to......
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Pioneer Press
April 20, 2008 - Plastic is hard to recycle, and there are concerns that freezing or heating plastic can release toxic carcinogens. These containers can be widely recycled.--Say no thanks to unnecessary paper or plastic. Instead of plastic, try an alternative like aluminum. ...
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New York Times
April 20, 2008 - “Yes, the current model of industrial livestock farming is detrimental to our environment,” Collins admits. A guy in Australia made his using an old plastic cooler and a piece of discarded polystyrene packaging; others have used tea chests, sacks and baskets. Which isn’t to say that Whole Foods has it wrong about plastic bags. ...
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