The other day I had an idea that could reduce a lot of waste and save people money.

Retailers/Manufacturers of consumable products like hand soaps/household cleaners should be required to sell/produce larger size refills for smaller size bottles.

I would like to compile a list of smaller ideas like this to send to Avi and my local NDP candidate.

Anyone got ideas?

The List so far:

  • Retailers/Manufacturers of consumable products like hand soaps/household cleaners should be required to sell/produce larger size refills for smaller size bottles. (Canaconda)

  • standardizing the size, shape, volume of these prepackaged goods (GodofLies)

  • reusable container system at a higher governmental level (GodofLies)

  • Add Repurposing program to municipal recycling and expand where successful

  • Incorporate retirees into child support / education on a volunteer basis.

  • GodofLies@lemmy.ca
    3·
    3 months ago

    If you’re going to mandate refillables for daily use life items, one should consider standardizing the size, shape, volume of these prepackaged goods. One can deduce that by doing so makes it easier for a consumer to not only store, price compare, and dispose of responsibly all the while reducing waste. Right now the entire plastic packaging landscape is unsustainable.

    Then look at takeout containers - if we truly cared (environmentally and long term health-wise), there should be a reusable container system at a higher governmental level rather than at a single restaurant level. Right now we have managed to reign in some use of plastic (bags and straws). Most places charge for plastic bags and often takeout containers now, but these are single-use (sometimes these are baked in to the price). A creation of a reusable system (collection, delivery, sanitization - think of the new jobs created!) where it would be deployed in population dense regions would reduce the amount of these single-use items. How to we fund it without breaking the bank? It’s not hard to see what we already do with plastic container deposits, but also allow advertising on such containers - the key is scaling the operation. I am aware that there has been attempts, but not with the involvement at a higher governmental level.

    I know this was a call for small policies, but government policies are usually never small.

    • Canaconda@lemmy.caOP
      2·
      3 months ago

      I know this was a call for small policies, but government policies are usually never small.

      When I say small what I mean is narrow in scope. Not necessarily small to implement.

      If you’re going to mandate refillables for daily use life items, one should consider standardizing the size, shape, volume of these prepackaged goods.

      I think this would be really good and best achieved by a nationally owned manufacturer and an incentive based model instead of mandates.

      there should be a reusable container system at a higher governmental level rather than at a single restaurant level.

      I’ve pondered various reusable systems like coffee cups/sleeves. I think between the carbon footprint and the micro plastics we are either waiting for a new type of biodegradable polymer or better off using biodegradable disposables and managing that properly.