26 February 2007
“Paper or Plastic, Mr. Gore?”
by J-lo
My recent journey to Whole Foods may have shed some light on that age-old dispute between the Gozdilla and Mothra of the grocery industry, Paper and Plastic. Typically, when at the cash register you expect the timeless question of “Paper or Plastic?” However, it seems Whole Foods - and possibly more supermarkets - are doing away with the paper and only supplying the plastic. But, why? Is plastic, a derivative of petroleum, honestly more sustainable, greener and more granola than paper?
A simple side-by-side comparison and one would anticipate paper the champion of grocery bags (of course I am excluding from this test canvas, which is the true champion of greens). Think for a second about the history of each, the lives of Plastic and Paper. Paper’s dates back to its birth on a monoculture tree plantation, most likely in the Northwest region of the U.S.A or possibly B.C., Canada. Plastic, on the other hand, was born in a factory and created by the virtues of petroleum. As their lives dwindle, Paper typically sees its role reutilized, whereas Plastic finds itself as a decoration of sorts around the neck of a seagull or leatherback turtle.
For years, I have personally chosen Paper as the more earth-friendly option; however, after my Whole Foods experience and recent investigation I have discovered Plastic as the true winner. According to a life-cycle energy analysis conducted by Franklin and Associations, Ltd, Plastic outmaneuvers Paper two to one. In order to achieve the results, Franklin and Associations analyzed total energy used to manufacture a bag, and the amount of pollutants produced. The results of the the analysis stated:
“What would Al Gore do?”
Clearly, there is one simple answer: refuse both paper and plastic and bring along your favorite canvas bag. I'm a canvas-user but I must admit that there are moments when I am on my way home from work and have an itch to pick up some groceries yet never thought to bring along the Canvas. On the other hand, the grocery bag industry could take it upon them self and manufacture biodegradable bags made from starches. Yet once again, we face obstacles that may result in individuals becoming too litter friendly, or witness more energy utilized for the creation of a “biodegradable bag.”
Being sustainable is difficult; however, each of us must attempt to do our part and at a minimum utilize Canvas and save our Plastic and Paper. However if one truly wants to be an eco-warrior the only solution is growing your own veggies and knitting yourself a sustainable hemp bag. In short B.Y.O.B. – bring your own bag, bake your own bread!
[ed. note (Cicero): that's not the fun kind of byob, man]
My recent journey to Whole Foods may have shed some light on that age-old dispute between the Gozdilla and Mothra of the grocery industry, Paper and Plastic. Typically, when at the cash register you expect the timeless question of “Paper or Plastic?” However, it seems Whole Foods - and possibly more supermarkets - are doing away with the paper and only supplying the plastic. But, why? Is plastic, a derivative of petroleum, honestly more sustainable, greener and more granola than paper?
A simple side-by-side comparison and one would anticipate paper the champion of grocery bags (of course I am excluding from this test canvas, which is the true champion of greens). Think for a second about the history of each, the lives of Plastic and Paper. Paper’s dates back to its birth on a monoculture tree plantation, most likely in the Northwest region of the U.S.A or possibly B.C., Canada. Plastic, on the other hand, was born in a factory and created by the virtues of petroleum. As their lives dwindle, Paper typically sees its role reutilized, whereas Plastic finds itself as a decoration of sorts around the neck of a seagull or leatherback turtle.
For years, I have personally chosen Paper as the more earth-friendly option; however, after my Whole Foods experience and recent investigation I have discovered Plastic as the true winner. According to a life-cycle energy analysis conducted by Franklin and Associations, Ltd, Plastic outmaneuvers Paper two to one. In order to achieve the results, Franklin and Associations analyzed total energy used to manufacture a bag, and the amount of pollutants produced. The results of the the analysis stated:
A single paper bag uses the energy equivalent of 550 kJ of wood as feedstock. It also uses 500 kJ of petroleum and 350 kJ of coal for process energy. The total amount of energy used by a single paper bag is 1,680 kJ…Two plastic bags use 990 kJ of natural gas, 240 kJ of petroleum, and 160 kJ of coal. The energy used for two plastic bags is 1,470 kJ. Two plastic bags use 87% the amount of energy used by one paper.Now for the all-important question we must all ask ourselves next time we are at the check out counter of the local grocers:
“What would Al Gore do?”
Clearly, there is one simple answer: refuse both paper and plastic and bring along your favorite canvas bag. I'm a canvas-user but I must admit that there are moments when I am on my way home from work and have an itch to pick up some groceries yet never thought to bring along the Canvas. On the other hand, the grocery bag industry could take it upon them self and manufacture biodegradable bags made from starches. Yet once again, we face obstacles that may result in individuals becoming too litter friendly, or witness more energy utilized for the creation of a “biodegradable bag.”
Being sustainable is difficult; however, each of us must attempt to do our part and at a minimum utilize Canvas and save our Plastic and Paper. However if one truly wants to be an eco-warrior the only solution is growing your own veggies and knitting yourself a sustainable hemp bag. In short B.Y.O.B. – bring your own bag, bake your own bread!
[ed. note (Cicero): that's not the fun kind of byob, man]
Labels: global warming, sustainability
¶ 5:12 PM
