Scissors beat paper and plastic. Plastic covers rock and ruins environment.

must watch! sustainability is all over my mind! i love this lady Leyla Acaroglu from australia. One of the best TED talk on sustainability and product service system.

Designer Leyla Acaroglu gives a wonderful talk about how the human society is foolishly consuming more and end-up in wasting more. She concludes if consumption is the problem then the smart design is the only solution to solve it. Good one. Sustainability lovers can enjoy this talk.

Reusing is better than recycling, and it cuts costs.

Love the meaning behind this video and the idea of looking at the whole picture rather than just a part of it. For me currently I’m not reaching for either paper or plastic bag but rather my reusable cotton or preferably bamboo shopping bag since both are reusable and grow far faster than trees. As for the kettle, that’s something that has driven me insane about our kettle for years, it’s nice to know that someone has been listening to the issues of the world and tried to change things. As for the final point with the mobile phones, a hundred percent behind the idea of a company taking responsibility for their product, also a firm believer that recycling items like this should be far easier then it is currently because right now I still can’t throw my mobile phone, keyboard, old computer or whatever else in my recycling it’s meant to be taken back to the store and even then it’s only for mobile phones the store doesn’t have a big enough recycling area for my keyboard let alone my old computer.

If we want to look at Impact, why don't we look at The major impact? Agriculture, specifically livestock production. Because livestock production uses over 80% of the world's water, 75% of the world's deforestation, and has caused more nitrogen flooded zones than any of the impacts discussed in this talk. Should we not address the largest impact first?

Damn that was a good talk. I'm impressed.

Love the dialogue! I high-lights Layla's point, that these are all 'complex choices' and that ultimately it is HOW we use them that can have a greater impact (than many of us may realize). Behaviour change & smarter, system based solutions/designs can help!

The speaker questions the so called ‘eco-friendly’ product. It wasn’t common in Malaysia where we use paper bags to carry our groceries. As an alternatives to plastic bags, we do use reusable shopping bag which is made from fabric such as canvas. On the speaker’s point on we should preferably using plastic rather than paper bag, I think it is something arguable and obviously the speaker stand firm on the idea using plastics. And I think she has somehow influenced or shaken the audiences’ mindset. As a consequences, more people will be opt for plastics bag next time on their visits to supermarket. The speaker fully ignored the manufacturing process of plastics in her presentation and certainly it is going to be more polluted than chopping down the tree. The problem with deforestation is that it is uncontrolled. Otherwise, the damage can be minimize replanting of it is possible. But the raw material in producing the plastics which is the petroleum is unrenewable. And on the speaker main idea on utilizing design in solving environmental problems, I think it is insufficient as I always believe education is the ultimate way to solve these issues.

I remember when I was in an introductory Environmental Engineering class and the professor explained that when comparing the environmental impact of two alternatives the most important consideration to consider is the interests of whoever is funding your research. He said you could always find something better or worse about some alternative, and our own career advancement depends on leasing the client. He then went on to explain how we could argue that the biochemical oxygen demand of degrading paper cups could conceivably be worse than the carcinogens in Styrofoam.

E-conundrums are such a challenge especially when we've got so many opinions of what impacts the environment most. Thanks to Leyla for raising these myths to the light and reminding us that we can't take the easy road and must THINK about our choices.

Outstanding idea that should be accepted by all concern authorities!

I always love a good TED talk, you guy's are great! I was listening to you guy's on npr yesterday, it was a great show.

Awesome speech. Maybe the speaker does it too fast, but she explains clearly the core of the environmental issue. It's not a question of avoiding always the plastics, but of reducing consumption, first of all and, considering a variety of factors that determine the environmental impact.

I use those nice burlap bags you get for two dollars. They carry more, they're stronger, they don't feel like they're cutting the blood stream from your fingers and they're reusable. It bumbs me out that they don't seem to be catching on. I just don't get it :/

Energetic and enthusiastic. Excellent talk. It also helps that I love design.

Powerful & impressive talk, thanks Leyla

possibly the best, most insightful and exciting ted talk i have watched ever. thank you for the research, passion and delivery leyla acaroglu

Recently, I've been trying to be more green. I plan to not use anything disposable. It's really not difficult to have a water canteen, coffee mug, handkerchief, etc. I think IF everyone starts being more conscious of how much we waste and start taking little steps towards sustainability, we will be alright. If.... That is.

I'd like to know which company was afraid of the arrows. I guess they'd rather stare down the barrel of obsolescence from the wrong end. This was a great talk about understanding the big picture, no matter what you're creating.

A brilliant new angle from which to look at the issue. Kettle @12:16, now that is good design!

i absolutely agree with Leyla's comment on How we should strive to do more with less, instead of just needing more and more. Bio methane from landfills has strong potential in becoming an energy source. Quite a lot of companies including utilities are buying waste from landfill to produce bio-methane.

Great talk!

Amazing speaker, great talk. Happy Earth Day 🌎

This lady is well-spoken and know`s her stuff. I like it!

Most stores automatically put our purchases in a plastic bag. At a local corner store, I watched a line of customers buy a chocolate bar, or a bag of potato chips or cigarettes. Each purchase automatically went in a plastic bag. But who needs a plastic bag for a single chocolate bar. It's crazy. Whenever I buy something, I have to remember to tell the sales clerk that I don't need a bag. But I'm one of the very few who bothers. Most people just pick up the bag, often with a single item in it, and leave the store. And that bag, which could be reused many times, goes straight in the garbage. Also, I love a mug of tea but my wife doesn't drink tea or coffee much. So I tend to make single mugs for myself. The minimum level on our perfectly average kettle is around 50 oz (about 6 cups). I have a 12 oz mug, so I have to boil four times as much water as I need and to be honest it drives me nuts. And I actually bought the kettle because it was the one with the lowest minimum water level I found. As Ms Acaroglu says, it is just bad design. We're not taking responsibility.

absolutely fantastic .

It is funny how people will watch this and believe it only because it has the "TED Talks" stamp of approval.

Who would have thought tea was so un-Eco friendly! Great talk

This was a really good one. Designing a circular economy is key to prevent an environmental and social collapse...

Waste is really a design flaw...

I remember hearing about the bag issue and I was surprised to learn about how paper can actually be worse than plastic. However, as someone who lives right on the California coast, if someone really wants to pay that 10¢, I'll hand them paper over plastic. That gyre doesn't need anymore fuel! However, if I'm inland, perhaps I'll start asking for plastic after I pay my 10-50¢.

How about no throwaway bag at all? Bring your bags and get a 1% discount at the supermarket till would probably solve this issue quickly!

In the southern Europe countries, you get small free plastic bags at the grocery store. mostly you need about 4 bags to carry the stuff and 4 more to make each bag stronger, so they dont crack. Most of the time the bags are usable for only 1 time and 2 times you even see them fly around all over the streets. if you're lucky. In the Netherlands, you have to pat 0,50 euro for 1 strong big plastic bag. Its the same amount of plastic as 3 southern europe bags, only stronger and can carry the same amount of stuff. Most people use these bags at least 2 times with an avarage of 4. Greece wanted to ban the plastic bags, but i think they can better change it for some good plastic bags. good video, i hope some people think better now.

I'm not sure what it is but I've the made hots for Leyla. Great talk to, just needed to get it out there, not detracting from her words.

Great food for thought for designers & designers.

I'm happy to see the use of prezi in this talk. At least, I assume that's what is being used.

This speaker seems to be unaware the following: 1) Grocery Stores have incentivized people to use their own reusable bags, by adding a small charge - example 5cents per plastic bag. 2) Green Bin Programs that are already in place to divert compostable materials away from landfill, thus preventing the production of methane gases (contrary to her example in the video).

What about the environmental impact the meat industry has?

She made some really good points, now ill be thinking about how much water i put in my tea kettle, because i always fill it up but only use one cup...

I rarely take plastic bags as I always have reusable bags with me. But have you noticed it's almost impossible to get a decent, strong, plastic bag any more. I like to have a few strong ones around the house but nobody has them any more.

Hi,I bring my own cloth bag for groceries or I use a discarded carton box from the supermarket.Have been doing this for years.You won't be surprised to hear that I make my own running sandals from scrap material.

Nice talk

What a beautiful and clever speech and woman!

Leyla Acaroglu's TED Talk is mind-opening! 🌍💡 She urges us to rethink environmental myths like 'paper beats plastic' and calls for systemic change in design and consumption habits. Let's move beyond simplistic solutions and embrace innovation for a sustainable future!

kettles, phones and fridges; Leyla builds some bridges, searching for gold solutions... #TedTalks

Think to the end!

I like this woman.

We definitely need more pioneers. You can't get shot in the back if you're walking side-by-side

that's actually hilarious that everyone puts on their kettles at the same time. I wouldn't have even thought of something like that. And now I know I should measure what water 'Im putting in my kettle!

I got a problem with plastic and paper waste. Overconsumpulation is the biggest problem. Humans and greed = pollution and apathy most of the time.

We should make dirtbags... Oh wait, we already have plenty of those walking around.

Nice

I get the negatives of paper but (ultimately) it breaks down and decomposes. As far as I'm aware plastic never truly does. I'm talking about it as a material beyond just bags. With the massive problem of plastics in our oceans, rivers, soil, living organisms. This must outweigh all other aspects?

well the real problem is that a lot of people know about this, but nothing is getting done in the end .

The plastic is killing millions of animals each year, with slow and painful deaths. Besides it remains in the environment breaking into smaller and smaller pieces increasingly toxicity. The massive use of plastic especially for single use or for a few days must stop before it's too late.

If you want the quick answer, skip to 15:00

welcome to anthropocene

Great video,, 40% of fresh food wasted which is large percentage Thanks Leyla

God this talk is just painfully wrong. I get what she is saying, design can help us, but every problem she mentioned can be addressed by 'better organizing ideas'. Paper bags/deforestation.. hemp? No one will touch this solution because of politics; I can't take any green/sustainable person seriously if they won't touch on hemp because it shows they care more about their job than what they profess to care about. Lettuce/Salad draws.. how about, erm, putting land back into production instead of people having lawns of grass that do nothing and gardens full of exotic plants that do nothing, and (in the UK) allowing the EU to pay farmers to NOT grow produce! Growing it locally or nationally instead of importing. A lot of the problems, and solutions proposed, come back to politics, to government, to corporations, to greedy bastards who don't want the public to embrace the easy, cost effective, true sustainable methods. Why? Because there is no money in it for them. Sustainability is more than just green ideas, or design solutions. It means sustainable thinking, which means sustainable government/leaders. Everyone knows what needs to be done, but we're too afraid to clean out the house.

What program did she use to make her presentation ?

And another thing that happens during ad breaks here in the uk is that the sewers fill up when everyone goes the toilet at the same time. During half time in football matches, it’s even worse.

11:00 listen for the "whoa" lol

У нас в России, наоборот, большинство выбирает полиэтиленовые пакеты, а бумажные я видел очень редко, в основном в пекарнях, ресторанах, кофе и в некоторых супермаркетах. Выбирают в основном, из-за того, что просто покупать полиэтиленовые пакеты дешевле, в части супермаркетов их бесплатно дают.

I drink my tea out of thermos bottles so I only heat the water once and drink out of it all day. But now I'm wondering if my flask will be recyclable.

Make/Model of the kettle?

Holland is now disusing a system were all shops no longer having free bags for customers. they will have them for sale for 10 or 15 cents. this is the an article about it in dutch. www.nu.nl/economie/3692640/minder-plastic-tasjes-als-klant-meebetaalt.html

there needs to be more incentives for ending so many closed loop systems

Ted Green approved! ~ ^^

she's a genius

Sisal, straw, hemp, and paper are far easier for a child to utilize. Try making a plastic bag at home. Try making nylon rope at home. Glass is far easier than plastic, regardless of the safety issues. Paper is universal, reuseable, biodegradeable, recycleable, and SAFE.

Pioneers may have arrows in their back , but who was standing in the end .

you may not agree with all of it (i don't) but glean what you can and improve your lifestyle with those points.

Well, I can't be bothered. I've been using the same cotton cloth bags for several years. The repeated use hopefully cancels out the environmental impact of their production. I like to think that spares me having to listen to any more of this.

No final das contas ela nao explicou porque o papel supostamente tem um impacto maior

i've heard LX Xander is looking for new beats and artists for Ghostcraft...!

I really liked this talk but can someone explain pls the thing of the pioneers, are they being killed?

we need to make durability and reusability sexy again. great talk

Leyla Acaroglu wants us to make more sustainable choices in our daily lives, going beyond the paper-or-plastic debate. She talks about considering a product's entire life cycle, from extraction to disposal, to understand its environmental impact. Acaroglu debunks myths, like issues with biodegradable materials in landfills. She points out the problem of food waste from oversized fridges and suggests designing better fridges to prevent food wastage. Overfilling electric tea kettles leads to unnecessary energy use to continuously heat it, and she calls for kettles that encourage smarter behavior. Mobile phone waste is also on her radar, as is the amount of gold waste in phones to stress the importance of designs that make recycling easier. She wants us to think more about the environment when making choices.

What about cloth bag. I have used them for the past 5 years. I only have 5 bags and those 5 have lasted the past 5 years.

Is boiling water quickly in a kettle a UK thing?

My congress needs to watch this. I miss my paper bags!

Paper or plastic... what about canvas? If she's going to make the paper or plastic argument, why not bring in NEW alternatives like she was saying... There are other options out there other than paper or plastic. Even bring in the fact that the Japanese bring swatches of cloth that they can tie in a million different ways to carry their things. I saw a lot of pleading in her talk and not a lot of solutions...

Solutions: - *"Blanket fridge"*, make fridges like a bag instead of a box. A fridge made from highly insulated but FLEXIBLE material that you can roll up, you roll it up so it's just big enough for the food it contains _right now_. No more wasted energy cooling empty space in your fridge. - *Smartphone robots*. Make old phones into tiny personal robots, something that can climb around your house doing chores (even plugging themselves in to charge), or perch on your shoulder like a familiar, a helpful pet. Come on people it's the future, personal robots are _way_ overdue! Smartphones already contain everything a robot needs except for a way to move: arms/legs/wheels.

PR Representative. “We need more research” “if I speak long enough about nothing I’ll confuse and pacify my activist audience” “I am an industry hack. I am an apath-izor” “these problems are too complicated people there is really nothing you can do about just go home and watch tv” “I’ll eventually design you out of these problems” “don’t stop buying and please don’t think.”

Hemp > paper

"functionality defines environmental impact"

in america any trees cut down to make bags are replaced 10-1 by law so yeah paper is better.

I made it by myself. I used inplix scripts for that

Why not boil the water in the cup you are going to drink it out of?

what I hate they put a little stuff in each bag to make u think u got more for your money

At 11:44 she clearly pronounces nu-cu-lar. The hell? She doesn't even gloss over it in shame and regret, she throws that in your face and rubs it in one syllable at a time. Check it out :)

the thing about paper though, is that it's 100% renewable. 80 years ago we had 20% of the trees we do now, but thanks to the paper industry, we have way more trees. recycling paper is idiotic though, since it can be produced through 100% natural means (growing) and is 100% biodegradable.

Good talk Leyla but are an environmentalist or in other sector

Its too difficult to keep all these things in mind. Lets just live. One day the planet will kill all of us and then it will recover by itself. Peace....

I'd say paper wins over plastic. Some people argue that paper comes at the cost of degradation of ecosystem. But America and other parts of world has enough land that people can make money use of otherwise unused land. And when they harvest the produce and the prospects gained encourage them to cultivate the plantation again. The whole cycle repeats. So, it is providing employment at the same time alleviating the affect on environment. Or, like someone pointed the bags the groceries bought in can be reused as trash bags thus cutting on the plastic bags made for trash exclusively. And please make sure the stuff you bought is put to good use without generating waste.

Did she just seriously say plastic over paper because of weight? or were we supposed to be sold on deforestation? So, a decade from now, when that forest/tree farm has considerably recovered and your plastic bag is still circling around the ocean...? Better yet, get a reusable bag.

2 fast for me :(

at first glance i thought this ted talk was gonna be about how i can transcend past all of my rock paper scissors opponents. very disappointing. very misleading

I hate the plastic bags, I remember when there was only paper. The plastic bags are what I call "grocery condoms". The plastic cannot handle being actually filled without splitting apart. Grocery baggers waste them by the millions because they will not put any more than 4 or 5 items in a bag. An old fashioned paper bag will safely hold many times more than the flimsy plastic. Unless you want your groceries strewn all over your trunk or backseat then you have to tie each one. Even tied often your groceries will become damaged as the tied plastic bags roll around like a deflated football. There are very few uses for the plastic once you get them home. The few (very few. I always request paper) that do come home are used for wet garbage and that's about. Paper bags on the other hand are great. They hold a lot of groceries if packed properly. I often use them for trash cans as they are rigid enough to stand on their own. When packed properly and place side by side in the back of your car they usually always are still upright and unspilled when you get home. I burn wood for heat and the paper bags are great for getting a fire started. They fold nicely and many can stored away taking little space. The 2nd biggest reason I hate plastic bags (#1 is harm to wildlife) is not really the bag but is the baggers. Usually they are some kid still in high school. I watch go all out zombie when I ask for paper bags. I mean clueless. Most of them cannot figure out how pack the bags and start throwing everything into the bag without thinking. Like they do with plastic. The cannot see what is coming down the conveyor belt and formulate an plan for stacking. We're yalking putting a bang of onions on the bottom then canned goods on top.They have no idea how to select items that will stack well on top or beside each other. Most of the time I either bag them myself or have to instruct the bagger how to load. Some of these teenagers today are really, really stupid. Forty years when I bagged groceries at my first job I learned quickly how load a grocery bag.