Business, Economics, and Taxes: Capitalism. Yay? >=(

[dxmnkd316]

Last Week Tonight did a pretty good job explaining the problems with recycling. And they didn't even get into how bad glass is for recycling.

(bad meaning, the energy and cost savings are minimal)

 

[BassAle]

Last Week Tonight did a pretty good job explaining the problems with recycling. And they didn't even get into how bad glass is for recycling.

(bad meaning, the energy and cost savings are minimal)

our local recycling plant just crushes glass and it gets sold to someone that mixes it in with asphalt for paving roads.

 

[BassAle]

It’s a shame the first two parts of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle have basically been forgotten. Recycle is supposed to be the last resort, but it’s the only thing that gets any focus. Not to mention if something is recyclable, and dropped off at the recycling plant, it’s increasingly likely it will still end up in a landfill anyway.

I think I read someone the percentage of plastic that actually ends up being recycled is in the single digits.

 

[Handyman]

That is pretty cool about Patagonia! I have never really bought any of their stuff but I will definitely look into it now :^)

 

[Spartanforlife4]

Last Week Tonight did a pretty good job explaining the problems with recycling. And they didn't even get into how bad glass is for recycling.

(bad meaning, the energy and cost savings are minimal)

Planet Money had a similarly depressing episode. No one really cleans their containers good enough, far too many products say they’re recyclable when they’re not, it’s not a very efficient process, and a lot of it ends up going as trash to China or other SE Asian countries, many of which are starting to stop that from happening. So really the whole
time we’ve just been exporting our problems.

The biggest fix would probably begin with grocery/restaurant related items, but with how stringent food regulations are, and now in the midst of a pandemic, I don’t think less packaging is going to be a priority. That, and any push to begin to reduce it is met with pushback from half the country.

 

[St. Clown]

I think I read someone the percentage of plastic that actually ends up being recycled is in the single digits.

I’d have to watch the episode again, but I think LWT reported it at 9.7%.

 

[aparch]

our local recycling plant just crushes glass and it gets sold to someone that mixes it in with asphalt for paving roads.

It doesn't mix correct in asphalt here in the midwest. We're heavy on limestone and dolomite already for abrasiveness.

Big thing out here is ground up rubber tires being added into the mix. And asphalt roofing shingles. The roofing shingles are the hot ticket because it cuts down on the liquid asphalt required for the mix.

Slag (waste) from the steel mills are also used in some mixes, but its complete hell on milling machines to remove.

They're also experimenting with "warm-mix" asphalt versus hot-mix, but the energy savings in not firing the asphalt plants as hot has been negligable.


(Sorry, finally get to use my knowledge and work experience for something around here. Haha)

 

[LynahFan]

I’d have to watch the episode again, but I think LWT reported it at 9.7%.

Whoo hoo - that’s TWO digits!

 

[BassAle]

That is pretty cool about Patagonia! I have never really bought any of their stuff but I will definitely look into it now :^)

https://wornwear.patagonia.com/repairs

 

[Proud2baLaker]

Patagonia is a solid chunk of my outdoors gear. Yea, you spend up front for it, but the gear is worth every penny.

The company also stands for something, a rare sight in the modern world.

Patagonia has its fair share of issues too. It is widely known that washing their products releases microplastics and those plastics are ending up in the ocean. They have been tied to problems with labor as they source products from third-world countries. They are also grossly anti-aquaculture (something very personal to me) and attack the industry regularly with what have been baseless accusations with no foundation in science. Patagonia started their own food division and sells wild caught salmon and as such do everything they can to push the "wild=good, farmed=bad" agenda. Aquaculture groups have regularly challenged Patagonia to come to the table and work together for the good of the seafood industry as a whole but Patagonia won't do so. They have actually teamed up with an NGO that is actively anti-aquaculture (and ironically anti-commercial fishing as well). Being part of the aquaculture industry, I see the push to better ourselves constantly. We regularly partner with other NGOs to evaluate practices and strive for positive change with an eye always on increased sustainability and environmental friendliness that is regularly ignored by the anti-aquaculture groups. I would imagine/hope that Patagoina is doing the same in regards to the microplastics and labor issues. Their gear may be good quality, but to me, right now, the only thing Patagonia stands for is hypocrisy.

Edit: Patagonia was behind the publication of a book called - Salmon: A Fish, the Earth, and the History of Their Common Fate. Authored by Mark Kurlansky. After Patagonia released a film attacking the industry, even the author of that book, again, published by Patagonia itself, said that Patagonia is wrong in their stance and that environmentalists should be working with the industry rather than against it.

 

[Kepler]

Whoo hoo - that’s TWO digits!

Speaking of double digits, the Neo-Nazi rally in Phoenix that was supposed to get 20,000 attendees got 50.

The GOP's really hurting without Dump.

 

[BassAle]

It is widely known that washing their products releases microplastics and those plastics are ending up in the ocean.

This is literally a problem for EVERY piece of clothing made out of synthetic material, and it's widely known because Patagonia studied it and released the information even though it was unflattering. It is disingenuous to say this is a Patagonia issue, when every piece of synthetic clothing you own has the exact same issue. The fact is, synthetic fabrics are superior for many applications, although they have downsides. Patagonia admits that while they have downsides, they can't eliminate the use of them and still produce a produce that performs as well, which is why they are studying the problem and researching ways to reduce the impact or develop alternatives.

They have been tied to problems with labor as they source products from third-world countries.

Patagonia offers more Fair-Trade certified clothing items than any other apparel company. Patagonia spends more time and money selecting manufacturers, taking into account environmental impacts and worker treatment, than pretty much any other outdoor activewear company.

They are also grossly anti-aquaculture

They're mostly concerned with the impact on native salmon. Stocking rivers that contain native salmon populations with inbred fish does have problems.

and ironically anti-commercial fishing as well

The salmon their food division sells is caught by small-scale native fishermen using sustainable harvest techniques, not large commercial operations.

 

[Proud2baLaker]

This is literally a problem for EVERY piece of clothing made out of synthetic material, and it's widely known because they studied it and released the information even though it was unflattering. It is disingenuous to say this is a Patagonia issue. The fact is, synthetic fabrics are superior for many applications, although they have downsides. Patagonia admits that while they have downsides, they can't eliminate the use of them and still produce a produce that performs as well, which is why they are studying the problem and researching ways to reduce the impact or develop alternatives.



Patagonia offers more Fair-Trade certified clothing items than any other apparel company. Patagonia spends more time and money selecting manufacturers, taking into account environmental impacts and worker treatment, than pretty much any other outdoor activewear company.



They're mostly concerned with the impact on native salmon. Stocking rivers with native salmon populations with inbred fish does have problems.



The salmon their food division sells is caught by small-scale native fishermen using sustainable harvest techniques, not large commercial operations.

I stand by my statement that Patagonia are hypocrites and need to focus on their own shortcomings before attacking other industries with false accusations. And if they are going to attack those industries, they need to be willing to come to the table when invited which so far they have refused to do. The aquaculture industry is very open about its own shortcomings and issues as well and is doing everything they/we can to improve and correct them. Yet they/we are still constantly attacked.

 

[BassAle]

need to focus on their own shortcomings

they do, and they admit them.

 

[Proud2baLaker]

they do, and they admit them.

Finish my quote. They need to stop attacking other industries who are also admitting shortcomings and working to better themselves. If they really want to see change for the better, then come to the table. They have been invited over and over. Aquaculture has been more than willing to sit and listen and make changes.

 

[Handyman]

Speaking of double digits, the Neo-Nazi rally in Phoenix that was supposed to get 20,000 attendees got 50.

The GOP's really hurting without Dump.

A couple weeks ago there was supposed to be rallies in multiple states (originally I think the call was for all 50) the only one that got anyone to show was Huntington Beach, CA. The Nazis are too afraid of being doxxed and reaping the worldwind.

 

[Kepler]

A couple weeks ago there was supposed to be rallies in multiple states (originally I think the call was for all 50) the only one that got anyone to show was Huntington Beach, CA. The Nazis are too afraid of being doxxed and reaping the worldwind.

Remember when you deal with Republicans: bullies are always cowards.

 

[rufus]

A couple weeks ago there was supposed to be rallies in multiple states (originally I think the call was for all 50) the only one that got anyone to show was Huntington Beach, CA. The Nazis are too afraid of being doxxed and reaping the worldwind.

No no no, they're afraid of the FBI honeypots.

 

[MissThundercat]

Last year, I went through some things, lost two jobs in the mental health field and was asked not to come back to my internship placement in the winter due to misdeeds. I ended up in retail. Thinking about my current job at a local Meijer. Meijer offers their own pickup, so I do that. Anyway:

Is it where I thought I would be? Oh no. Not even close.

However, is it stable and does it provide consistent income? YES.

Are my coworkers affirming and willing to identify as a massive problem if I get misgendered or mocked for representing the L and T in LGBT? YES.

Do my team leads communicate with me if there are issues right away? YES.

Am I expected to make a 1-2 year commitment? NO. They understand I have no idea about my next steps or future right now.

Are my team leads genuinely excited to see me? Am I treated as more than a body occupying a position? YES.

Am I using this time to learn what proper professionalism looks like? YES.

Does it provide much needed structure to a chaotic individual? YES.

So for now, I'll just keep on going. Right now, I need to heal, and working at this place lets me do so without taking on even more stress.

2Rachel Hurd and Emily FS

 

[Deutsche Gopher Fan]

That is pretty cool about Patagonia! I have never really bought any of their stuff but I will definitely look into it now :^)

I have like 3 jackets in different colors...solid stuff and I love their mission.

ive no doubt they have faults as one has suggested here, but I still prefer them over most brands