Alternatives to plastic

carlowplayer

Is using glass with a screw on metal cap a better way of storing drinks such as milk and fizzy drinks more practical and efficient than in plastic bottles?
I'm trying to think of ways materials like cardboard and glass can replace plastics in our everyday lives . Like say for example this multi plug adapters etc I mean it can be replaced with cardboard or complete removal of in packaging goods or cloth in cloth shopping bags
Asides from packaging what are the other main uses of plastic

sh1tstirrer

carlowplayer wrote: »

Is using glass with a screw on metal cap a better way of storing drinks such as milk and fizzy drinks more practical and efficient than in plastic bottles?
I'm trying to think of ways materials like cardboard and glass can replace plastics in our everyday lives . Like say for example this multi plug adapters etc I mean it can be replaced with cardboard or complete removal of in packaging goods or cloth in cloth shopping bags
Asides from packaging what are the other main uses of plastic

Back in the 70's there wasn't much plastic around and everyone survived. Most food was packed in paper, minerals were in glass bottles that had a refund when returned to be reused. There's way too much plastic nowadays with everything you buy.

Capt'n Midnight

Next time you get on public transport look , really look at how much plastic is in use. Especially on aircraft. Over the life the lighter weight will save far far more fuel than was used to make the plastic.

New materials like Aluminium Nitride and Aluminium Oxynitride may offer huge savings in weight for glass in the future. And there's also artificial Sapphire , which is Aluminium Oxide. Star Trek IV fans should be happy to know that transparent aluminium is happening.

No aluminium is not the same as plastic, but it shows how material science can replace existing materials with better more durable ones.

Thankfully we're moving away from a world of cheap and nasty plastics crammed full of filler and toxic chemicals to one where the plastics used are more recyclable.

Also look at how plastic has replaced aluminium in double glazing.

And wait until graphene is commercialised.

Sam Russell

carlowplayer wrote: »

Is using glass with a screw on metal cap a better way of storing drinks such as milk and fizzy drinks more practical and efficient than in plastic bottles?

Milk was distributed in glass bottles until about 30 years ago but was discontinued. Return rate on bottles was well over 90%, so was very efficient.

Beer and fizzy drinks supplied to pubs was in returnable bottles - again high return rate. Bottles otherwise carried a deposit refunded on return. Supermarkets refused to handle glass bottles for non-alcohol use because of fear of broken bottles and that killed the glass bottles.

Bananas were shipped in large wooden boxes but those now use cardboard. I would think those boxes were returned to be refilled but am not sure

Oranges were shipped in frail wooden crates with two chambers. Most vegetables were grown locally and shipped in strong wooden boxes (bushels) that were reused.

Potatoes were shipped in 100wt jute sacks. Flour was shipped in white calico sacks.

Reuse was the order of the day.