Stuff You Should Know We Need More Sustainable Packaging, Like, Yesterday
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Aug 30, 2022 Packaging waste is an urgent environmental issue, as single-use plastics flood our landfills. The conversation humorously critiques excessive packaging with personal anecdotes. Listeners discover innovations, like mycelium and algae-based materials, aiming for sustainability. The hosts also examine the historical resistance to plastic and corporate responsibility, spotlighting Amazon's substantial impact. They discuss extended producer responsibility and the political challenges surrounding sustainable practices, all while keeping the tone light and engaging.
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Crown Royal Packaging
- Chuck describes buying Crown Royal and its excessive packaging: box, velvet bag, and bottle.
- This anecdote highlights the unnecessary layers of packaging common with many products.
Packaging Waste Percentage
- Packaging waste makes up a significant portion (28%) of municipal solid waste.
- Reducing packaging or improving recyclability could greatly impact landfills.
Recycling Rates
- Recycling rates for packaging waste have increased from 10% in 1960 to 54% in 2018.
- Despite improvements, millions of tons of materials like plastic and aluminum still end up in landfills.