Seabirds have been fishing plastic from the ocean and feeding it to their chicks, researchers say. One bird was found to have ingested nearly 800 pieces.

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  • HellsBelle@sh.itjust.works
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    2 days ago

    I would go so far to say ALL plastics need to be banned … with exceptions made for medical, military and space applications.

    • Captain Janeway@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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      2 days ago

      Totally agree. Plastic is useful. It’s great for medical, sterilized, environments. It’s great for emergencies. It’s terrible for almost everything else.

      If you’d like to read a relevant anecdote about plastics, please continue:

      I’m currently struggling with the plastic industry on my keyboards right now. I have a 2016 Macbook Pro, but the scissor mechanism on my key broke on the board (not the key). In order to replace the keyboard, I’d have to spend $200-$400 on it. So, it’s basically only good for recycling for parts now since the value of the Macbook Pro 2016 is basically the cost of the keyboard replacement. Someday, I might use it for just the hardware (e.g., on a docking station), but I want a laptop for - you know - walking around.

      Instead, I “rescued” a Lenovo Thinkpad from eBay for $60. Unfortunately, the scissor mechanism on the same key broke last night. I got the laptop yesterday afternoon! But at least I can replace the whole keyboard myself for $30 so I guess I’ll have a working laptop by Saturday night. Assuming no other plastic things break.

      Anyways, my point is that plastic - especially plastic with a short lifetime - sucks. They should just use teeny metal bits for the scissor mechanism. Give my laptop keyboards some umph and durability. Stop building things that inevitable (apparently) will break!

      • Carmakazi@lemmy.world
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        2 days ago

        Metal scissors will be more expensive and likely still take a set and not work eventually, perhaps even sooner than a plastic bit.

      • Forester@pawb.social
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        2 days ago

        You jest but we can make non plastic Ridgid biofoams from other materials. I think it would be better for the planet.

        You can make both leather and biofoams from mushrooms.

    • Arkouda@lemmy.ca
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      2 days ago

      I would go so far to say ALL plastics need to be banned … with exceptions made for medical, military and space applications.

      This is why hyperbole is meaningless.