r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • Feb 20 '21

Chemistry Chemists developed two sustainable plastic alternatives to polyethylene, derived from plants, that can be recycled with a recovery rate of more than 96%, as low-waste, environmentally friendly replacements to conventional fossil fuel-based plastics. (Nature, 17 Feb)

https://academictimes.com/new-plant-based-plastics-can-be-chemically-recycled-with-near-perfect-efficiency/
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u/anonanon1313 Feb 20 '21

Unnatural forces like regulation

AFAIK, virtually all practical markets are (necessarily) regulated to a degree. This need not impede supply and demand mechanisms. Economic exchange is always meditated by policy.

Capitalism isn't a natural (or divine) law.

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u/TyphoonCane Feb 20 '21

Are you preaching to the choir or do you think you made a point distinct from my own?

I'm curious because it reads as argumentative when what you're saying is exactly what I said. Regulation is acknowledgement that the market itself does not concern itself with intentions and that intentions can perverse trading with "costs" not associated with the exchange of goods or services.