What's the Eco-Impact of Your Everyday Choices?

Plastic Wrap vs. Aluminum Foil

Assumption
Plastic is Earth's kryptonite; anything, including foil, must be better.

Reality Check
Experts estimate that plastic hangs around landfills for up to 1,000 years; aluminum foil, 500. Yet plastic wrap is the better choice per use. Because aluminum foil manufacturing is so complex, starting with bauxite ore mining, it's more energy-intensive and emissions-heavy. Making a square foot of plastic wrap uses about 30 percent as much energy and produces about one-tenth as many emissions as making foil. If you're a die-hard foil fan, make its eco-impact more comparable to plastic wrap by reusing the same piece four times.

Go Greener
When you can, skip both and opt for reusable glass containers.