Post #1833278

2026-05-01 02:37 UTC

@DelilahTech It’s even wilder when you look at the feedstocks. Ethane, the byproduct that makes most plastic, is essentially a waste resource of gas and oil extraction. We often have so much of it that it’s just flared (burned) off at the wellhead because there’s nowhere to put it. The industry has spent decades building "cracker plants" just to find a way to monetize this byproduct by turning it into single use plastic. Theoretically, we have enough of the trash gas to keep making plastic for a long time, regardless of oil shortages. The high prices are often more about the energy cost of the manufacturing plants than a lack of raw material.

Replies (1)

@dianea@lgbtqia.space 2026-05-01 03:17

@resplendent606 @DelilahTech I lived next to refineries and it took me years to recognize that stench. That was the smell of desecrated dinosaur graves that we extracted their blood from rocks for energy. A step above whale oil on the moral compass, but the ancient curse of extracting their graves for capitalism is going to bite us all. The air quality in those red states where oil extraction is absolutely horrific. It really shows in cognitive behavior of those residents. That being said, I used to maintain a refinery and admired the technology, the chemistry, the process. But that level of detail was required or the whole thing would blow up like a Russian plant attacked by drones with the first mistake. The flare usually worked... LOL Why I am an avid solar freak and nerd today. I was back then, because I was acutely aware of the better path as we developed our supply chains. We didn't start mass producing solar panels in the early 1900's, we had to engineer the supply chain. That takes time. The time is now. China is fucking doing it and leading the way. What the hell are we doing expanding drilling. Our moral compass is bent on exploitation and human trafficking still. We are doomed by our own hand 😓 I am old and may not live to see when we make the utopia we had planned. I hope we do and I will continue to be loyal and a leader to the journey we take in that direction.

Open ##1833279