Eco-Friendly Appliances - The Best Enviornmentally Friendly Products
Which is greener, printed books or e-Readers? Plastic wrap or aluminum foil? The answers will surprise you.
By Rachel Z. Arndt
O, The Oprah Magazine | From the September 2011 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine 
Photo: Thinkstock
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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. |
