Apple introduces new AirTag with longer range and improved findability

Re:Apple introduces new AirTag with longer range and improve... by bruckie on Tuesday January 27, 2026 @12:51AM (#46776009)

If you believe Hank Green (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=325HdQe4WM4), a lot of recycled plastics aren't recycled the way I used to think they were (by shredding them, melting them down, and extruding them into new shapes). Rather, they're chemically decomposed into what's essentially raw feedstock, purified, and then re-synthesized into new polymers.

That's pretty energy intensive, to the point that it may be better to just use new feedstock (which is produced as a byproduct of oil and gas extraction). There are obviously higher-order effects to think about, but for me, plastic recycling isn't an obvious win for the environment.

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Re:Apple introduces new AirTag with longer range and improve... by port11 on Tuesday January 27, 2026 @03:11AM (#46776922)

Nice video, Hank is always good to watch!

I think we’ve more or less debunked plastic recycling, as nothing more but a way to make consumers feel good about purchasing things made of plastic.

We have to recycle plastic where we live — and do so happily —, but I often joke with my partner about where the plastic will end up, since she insists on first washing the plastic.

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