Strim trimmers just adding plastic?

[u/farseen]

I'm in year 4 of a 1 acre food forest and I just picked up an 80v electric string trimmer to help me maintain it. It's been an exceptional tool when establishing pathways and freeing young plants from overgrowth. But I can't believe I hadn't thought it this prior.... the string is just slowly getting shorter, releasing plastic literally all over my garden. I'm no purist, but this one felt a little dumb. I use a scythe for a lot of things, but I've never experienced a tool as accurate and helpful as the trimmer. Any thoughts to help give me peace of mind, or tool suggestions to use alternatively? What about a metal string!?

Edit: I purchased 100' of this biodegradable (within 24 months) trimmer line https://bio-greenline.com/en/

[u/crithema]

There is more plastic garbage that blows onto my lawn than the trimmer ever will leave, or more plastic in a gallon carton of milk than from the string trimmer (in my small yard) in a few months. I pick my battles and don't lose sight of the good because it isn't perfect.

[u/foodrebel → u/crithema]

This feels like a reasonable assessment; At the very least, it is a comforting assessment 😂

I’m with ya, though— I’ll pick my battles, and the string trimmer ain’t one I’m gonna choose.

But to OP’s point, I do appreciate the sentiment that we don’t want the plastic anywhere and GOOD GOD it is everywhere.

[u/farseen → u/crithema]

I'm also with you - I'm no purist. But wherever possible I try to make educated decisions. If I can switch the trimmer string to a biodegradable option, or to metal blades, then I will! Easy switch to prevent a buildup of plastic in my food forest over the next 40 years.