Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

It's not! Landfills work fine.

Ocean microplastic is overwhelmingly caused by countries that actually just throw their plastic in rivers. The US contributes a very small percentage of all environmental microplastic (like somewhere under 2%, maybe much under that).




Here's a good article on the subject: https://ourworldindata.org/plastic-waste-trade


A lot of microplastics also gets into the water from our clothing - one vector is via washing & drying machines.


Plastic clothing should also be taxed to take into account externalities until natural, sustainable fibers are price competitive.

Specific to washing machines, I wonder if there is an option for a micro plastic filter?


Plastic microbeads in cosmetics, as well.


Clothing is weirdly underrated factor. Straw is scapegoated for unknown reason.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: