Things That Would Help the Environment & Make Life Easier

[Bad Dingo]

Random fun/wishful thread.

What are things that you think the government should outlaw or mandate that would help the environment and make life easier for you (or maybe inconvenient but worth the hassle)?*

My thoughts:
1. Outlaw catalogues, junk mail and general unwanted crap that gets mailed/distributed.
2. No more single use plastic (bottles, containers, straws, packaging).
3. Local governments should have low cost composters, water retaining systems and solar panels available for purchase.
4. Office buildings shouldn't be allowed to have their lights on all night when no one is there.
5. Local governments should convert blighted lots into vegetable or flower gardens
6. Local governments should institute light pollution laws.

*I know most of these things are unrealistic for REASONS.

[gardengal]

Cutting out all the greeting card holidays that make you feel like you *should* be buying something or doing something?

I mean, we don’t really celebrate those but there’s low level guilt that I should do at least something special.

[Aquatica]

You have a great list! I'd add:

-In cities: Roof top gardens/green houses, more green spaces, and vertical farming within the city to decrease shipping footprint (hydroponics/vertical growing farms in warehouses).

- Countryside: Trash/recycling incentives (my parents lived way out in the country; there was no recycling and you had to haul your trash to a dumpster area so most people would burn and not properly dispose)

-In general: better recycling/trash measures. From my time in South Korea, I loved how amazing the trash and recycling was. Although it was a learning curve, it felt worth it separating into 8 different bins.

[Bad Dingo]

Oct 12, 2021 7:34:05 GMT -5 Aquatica said:

- Countryside: Trash/recycling incentives (my parents lived way out in the country; there was no recycling and you had to haul your trash to a dumpster area so most people would burn and not properly dispose)

Yes!  This is still a thing in upstate NY where I grew up because people have to haul all of their trash to the dump.  I'm not even sure what the recycling options are but hopefully they are better than they used to be.

[Aquatica]

Oct 12, 2021 7:36:17 GMT -5 Bad Dingo said:

Oct 12, 2021 7:34:05 GMT -5 Aquatica said:

- Countryside: Trash/recycling incentives (my parents lived way out in the country; there was no recycling and you had to haul your trash to a dumpster area so most people would burn and not properly dispose)

Yes!  This is still a thing in upstate NY where I grew up because people have to haul all of their trash to the dump.  I'm not even sure what the recycling options are but hopefully they are better than they used to be.

My parents lived in Idaho and I just arrived in Upstate NY so I'll have to look around after I settle in!

[lemoncupcake]

Not allow oil, gas and major manufacturers to fund candidates or lobby politicians.

[gardengal]

Oct 12, 2021 7:49:04 GMT -5 lemoncupcake said:

Not allow oil, gas and major manufacturers to fund candidates or lobby politicians.

Really just cut out a lot of political fundraising IMO. Millions spent that could go to research, habitat restoration, etc

[minzy]

More cradle to grave awareness and responsibility for an item. Like great, you made it, but what is the cost of its disposal (and to whom?) at end of life? Corporations largely have nothing to do with their items at the end point in the life cycle.

[babsbunny]

Oct 12, 2021 8:07:54 GMT -5 gardengal said:

Oct 12, 2021 7:49:04 GMT -5 lemoncupcake said:

Not allow oil, gas and major manufacturers to fund candidates or lobby politicians.

Really just cut out a lot of political fundraising IMO. Millions spent that could go to research, habitat restoration, etc

Kind of funny that the NFL has a salary cap (to keep things fair) while politicians do not. 

I also cannot believe the amounts spent on elections that could be spent on other things. (And I realize that much of that election money does go to workers somewhere in the chain, like actors for commercials or wait staff for a dinner, but man, how much goes straight overseas for swag like buttons.) 

[macmars45]

Yes please on better access to recycling in more rural areas! My city is trying so hard to get glass recycling up and running. Right now it's all volunteer based and they're using a glass crusher in a neighboring small town. My family saves up some items to recycle for when we go to bigger cities in our state. Make recycling easier and more people will do it!

[sonrisa]

Oct 12, 2021 7:25:22 GMT -5 Bad Dingo said:

 water retaining systems 

Around here those are illegal. You are interfering with the natural flow of ground water. 

[Bad Dingo]

Oct 12, 2021 9:57:47 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

Oct 12, 2021 7:25:22 GMT -5 Bad Dingo said:

 water retaining systems 

Around here those are illegal. You are interfering with the natural flow of ground water. 

I was thinking rain water barrels, not sure if that counts but I did forget about water rights issues since that's not really an issue in New England.  See, reasons!

[sent]

I’ve read over and over that recycling is not profitable which is why communities don’t care enough to pursue it more. My town now only takes number 1 and 2 plastics. We toss so much number 5 and 6 plastic and that’s only because I care enough to check what number the plastic is. There are probably many residents like my husband who don’t care and basically treat the recycling like a garbage can #2.

[sonrisa]

Oct 12, 2021 10:06:26 GMT -5 Bad Dingo said:

Oct 12, 2021 9:57:47 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

Around here those are illegal. You are interfering with the natural flow of ground water. 

I was thinking rain water barrels, not sure if that counts but I did forget about water rights issues since that's not really an issue in New England.  See, reasons!

Yes - you can't have rain barrels to water your own garden. You can't have pavers unless they are put in so that water still seeps into the ground around the edges. And so on. But the central valley can flood fields to grow rice. CA water regulations are a little insane.

[lemoncupcake]

Oct 12, 2021 10:17:16 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

Oct 12, 2021 10:06:26 GMT -5 Bad Dingo said:

I was thinking rain water barrels, not sure if that counts but I did forget about water rights issues since that's not really an issue in New England.  See, reasons!

Yes - you can't have rain barrels to water your own garden. You can't have pavers unless they are put in so that water still seeps into the ground around the edges. And so on. But the central valley can flood fields to grow rice. CA water regulations are a little insane.

Here we got a city rebate to install (small, personal) rain barrels. I do remember reading about how they weren’t allowed some places though.

[neeps]

Universal chargers. I know the EU did? Is doing? this so hopefully this becomes more global.

[pixy0stix]

Yeah, recycling isn't the answer. My end all, be all, would be complete societal change to do away with our throw away society. But, that wouldn't make life easier.

[wildrice]

Better public transit. I can't believe that I live in such a big, populated metro area and I have no options to take a train to work or into the city. I don't live in some podunk little town either, I live in a popular suburb with around 100k people, most of whom probably don't work within walking distance of their homes.

[mouse]

@@@
Stop it with the bags of fucking plastic party favors, class rewards, carnival prizes whatever bullshit.

[moreace01]

Oct 12, 2021 10:44:14 GMT -5 mouse said:

@@@
Stop it with the bags of fucking plastic party favors, class rewards, carnival prizes whatever bullshit.

This goes beyond @@@. Work - I don't want your swag. Quit giving me shirts and stickers and other assorted BS. Please. 
On my car - I don't want your junk flyers.
I don't want business pens or magnets or free bags. Stop it. 

Extraneous packaging - I just bought an extender for a necklace. It is not fancy, but came with a fancy box, bag and all kinds of other wrappings. None of that was necessary. 
And the free reusable bags too - just knock it off. Everything I buy lately is coming with a reusable bag I don't need. Shoot, just add a checkbox at checkout and I can add it if I want it. 

I have so much junk in my house - a lot of it I don't even know what it goes to. Whoever said universal chargers - please!! And cords in general. Everything takes a different size. I don't know what goes with what anymore. And they just build up year after year. I've taken a lot to recycling at Best Buy. I don't know what else to do with it. 

[isabel]

Oct 12, 2021 8:07:54 GMT -5 gardengal said:

Oct 12, 2021 7:49:04 GMT -5 lemoncupcake said:

Not allow oil, gas and major manufacturers to fund candidates or lobby politicians.

Really just cut out a lot of political fundraising IMO. Millions spent that could go to research, habitat restoration, etc

In this same vein, limit the amount of time allowed for political campaigning. Campaigning cannot start until 3-4 months prior to the election date. I think are already limits like this in other countries. Minimizes money spent, the number of flights around the country, etc.

[gardengal]

Oct 12, 2021 12:21:26 GMT -5 isabel said:

Oct 12, 2021 8:07:54 GMT -5 gardengal said:

Really just cut out a lot of political fundraising IMO. Millions spent that could go to research, habitat restoration, etc

In this same vein, limit the amount of time allowed for political campaigning. Campaigning cannot start until 3-4 months prior to the election date. I think are already limits like this in other countries. Minimizes money spent, the number of flights around the country, etc.

YES. Eventually I think everyone starts to tune out campaign ads when they start so early!

[isabel]

Oct 12, 2021 12:24:19 GMT -5 gardengal said:

Oct 12, 2021 12:21:26 GMT -5 isabel said:

In this same vein, limit the amount of time allowed for political campaigning. Campaigning cannot start until 3-4 months prior to the election date. I think are already limits like this in other countries. Minimizes money spent, the number of flights around the country, etc.

YES. Eventually I think everyone starts to tune out campaign ads when they start so early!

Yep. Would be interesting to see the difference in carbon footprint. All those flights, driving around, commercials, several debates, etc.

[StrawberryBlondie]

Oct 12, 2021 12:24:19 GMT -5 gardengal said:

Oct 12, 2021 12:21:26 GMT -5 isabel said:

In this same vein, limit the amount of time allowed for political campaigning. Campaigning cannot start until 3-4 months prior to the election date. I think are already limits like this in other countries. Minimizes money spent, the number of flights around the country, etc.

YES. Eventually I think everyone starts to tune out campaign ads when they start so early!

I'm already starting to see ads that are pro- my rep. They annoy me to no end ... And I really like my rep!

[BlondeSpiders]

I never realized how good I had it, living in the largest county in WA state, and in the largest city. I really took recycling and composting for granted!

I moved from Seattle in King county to Edmonds in Snohomish county, and I was floored to discover no composting pickup. Or composting anywhere, really. I can't even take to a Snohomish county transfer station, because they don't do compost! It has really changed the way I shop and use things in my kitchen, and not for the better. I try to put most of my food scraps in the garbage disposal, but I can't put egg cartons, paper towels or bones in there. And I have to throw away pizza boxes! You can't even recycle them because they're food stained.

I'm using Ridwell (and have discount codes if anyone wants one) so at least all the plastic wrap is going somewhere useful. So many single-use plastics!!

[picksthemusic]

Oct 12, 2021 13:30:05 GMT -5 BlondeSpiders said:

I never realized how good I had it, living in the largest county in WA state, and in the largest city. I really took recycling and composting for granted!

I moved from Seattle in King county to Edmonds in Snohomish county, and I was floored to discover no composting pickup. Or composting anywhere, really. I can't even take to a Snohomish county transfer station, because they don't do compost! It has really changed the way I shop and use things in my kitchen, and not for the better. I try to put most of my food scraps in the garbage disposal, but I can't put egg cartons, paper towels or bones in there. And I have to throw away pizza boxes! You can't even recycle them because they're food stained.

I'm using Ridwell (and have discount codes if anyone wants one) so at least all the plastic wrap is going somewhere useful. So many single-use plastics!!

That's weird! We have composting available in our yard waste bin and we're in the same county. Do you have WM?

Regardless - that sucks!

[BlondeSpiders]

Oct 12, 2021 13:49:50 GMT -5 picksthemusic said:

Oct 12, 2021 13:30:05 GMT -5 BlondeSpiders said:

I never realized how good I had it, living in the largest county in WA state, and in the largest city. I really took recycling and composting for granted!

I moved from Seattle in King county to Edmonds in Snohomish county, and I was floored to discover no composting pickup. Or composting anywhere, really. I can't even take to a Snohomish county transfer station, because they don't do compost! It has really changed the way I shop and use things in my kitchen, and not for the better. I try to put most of my food scraps in the garbage disposal, but I can't put egg cartons, paper towels or bones in there. And I have to throw away pizza boxes! You can't even recycle them because they're food stained.

I'm using Ridwell (and have discount codes if anyone wants one) so at least all the plastic wrap is going somewhere useful. So many single-use plastics!!

That's weird! We have composting available in our yard waste bin and we're in the same county. Do you have WM?

Regardless - that sucks!

Possibly not. I'm in a condo, and we have dumpsters. Hey, maybe I can bring my compost to your house! 

[penguingrrl]

Oct 12, 2021 13:30:05 GMT -5 BlondeSpiders said:

I never realized how good I had it, living in the largest county in WA state, and in the largest city. I really took recycling and composting for granted!

I moved from Seattle in King county to Edmonds in Snohomish county, and I was floored to discover no composting pickup. Or composting anywhere, really. I can't even take to a Snohomish county transfer station, because they don't do compost! It has really changed the way I shop and use things in my kitchen, and not for the better. I try to put most of my food scraps in the garbage disposal, but I can't put egg cartons, paper towels or bones in there. And I have to throw away pizza boxes! You can't even recycle them because they're food stained.

I'm using Ridwell (and have discount codes if anyone wants one) so at least all the plastic wrap is going somewhere useful. So many single-use plastics!!

I didn’t know municipal compost was a thing outside of Seattle, like at all! We compost in our yard, but have no earthly idea what to actually use the compost for as we don’t garden at all. So now we’ve got two full bins and no idea what to do with it since we don’t do gardening.

[katfco]

Eliminate the cultural value on “landscaped” homes and encourage more native wildflower plants and clover lawns.

[sillygoosegirl]

Oct 12, 2021 15:03:04 GMT -5 penguingrrl said:

Oct 12, 2021 13:30:05 GMT -5 BlondeSpiders said:

I never realized how good I had it, living in the largest county in WA state, and in the largest city. I really took recycling and composting for granted!

I moved from Seattle in King county to Edmonds in Snohomish county, and I was floored to discover no composting pickup. Or composting anywhere, really. I can't even take to a Snohomish county transfer station, because they don't do compost! It has really changed the way I shop and use things in my kitchen, and not for the better. I try to put most of my food scraps in the garbage disposal, but I can't put egg cartons, paper towels or bones in there. And I have to throw away pizza boxes! You can't even recycle them because they're food stained.

I'm using Ridwell (and have discount codes if anyone wants one) so at least all the plastic wrap is going somewhere useful. So many single-use plastics!!

I didn’t know municipal compost was a thing outside of Seattle, like at all! We compost in our yard, but have no earthly idea what to actually use the compost for as we don’t garden at all. So now we’ve got two full bins and no idea what to do with it since we don’t do gardening.

Throw it under a bush. Spread it lightly over your lawn. Fill in mole holes. If you really can't find a place to put it, give it away on a buy-nothing or other local group. Somebody near you gardens, and good gardening dirt is shockingly expensive.