Today's Topics:
Question regarding electric cars
Tyvek ads in 19 publications; send back to have it recyc
Tyvek in Business Week
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Date: Thu, 25 Dec 97 23:50:06 PST
From: roger.diedrich@sfsierra.sierraclub.org
Subject: Question regarding electric cars
Dear Environmentalists-
(I apologize for cross-postings)
I have a question regarding electric cars. We've been told that electric
cars are wonderful and cut emissions and we should all buy them. But
does it really make a difference if they are charged using energy created
by an oil-powered plant? The same question applies for hybrid cars.
Also, why are CNG (compressed natural gas) cars any kind of improvement?
Natural gas is not oil, so it's another resource we can use, but it's
just as unrenewable. Does it pollute less or something?
Greg Westin
westin@inreach.com
It probably depends on what the power plant is burning to produce the
electricity. Coal produces the most pollutants, including CO2, then oil,
then gas, and of course, renewables (generally) produce little or no
pollutants. (to answer your last question)
A power plant runs at around 33% efficiency and an electric motor is over 90%
efficient, so an electric car might use energy at around 30% efficiency. That
may be about the efficiency of an average gasoline-power car. They have a
wide range of efficiencies. It would be a challenge to convert gas mileage to
something comparable to power plant efficiency. Of course a power plant is
generally located in a more remote area, and not likely in a non-attainment
area, but you can see the advantage is debateable. Also, a power plant may be
eaisier to control for emissions than cars.
My guess would be that a hybred car would be a bit cleaner than the
conventional or the electric because it combines a small engine with a
generator. That engine will be running at full load, and more evenly and more
cleanly and efficiently. Probably even better will be vehicles powered by
fuel cells
Of course we are looking to design a future based on better land-use planning
and mass transit systems that will severly reduce the need for personal autos.
Roger Diedrich
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Date: Fri, 26 Dec 1997 08:37:03 -0600
From: "John Reindl" <reindl@co.dane.wi.us>
Subject: Tyvek ads in 19 publications; send back to have it recyc
Hi Everyone -
Oops! I made two "minor" mistakes in message on Tyvek ads in
Business Week.
First, the bad news. Instead of just being in Business Week, DuPont
put Tyvek into 19 publications, as follows:
Newspapers
USA Today
Investor's Business Daily
The Wall Street Journal
Barron's
Magazines
Business Week
Forbes
Architectural Digest
Institutional Investor
National Journal
Forbes
Bloomberg Personal
Smithsonian
US News & World Report
National Review
Harper's
Art News
Ivy League Network
Roll Call
Economist
Now, for some good news. While DuPont acknowledges that the Tyvek is
not recyclable mixed in with paper, it is in itself recyclable and
they will be glad to do so if people will take a pair of scissors,
cut out the ads, and send them to DuPont Tyvek, DMP LR2E5, Box
80705, Wilmington, Delaware 19880-0705.
The Associated Press picked up on an article in our local newspaper
on this situation and intends to get something out nationally on this.
We are both asking the public to remove the ads before they put
their paper out for recycling, and contacting DuPont and the
publications to please consider the impact of their decisions on the
recyclability of their pubications.
Hope this helps!
John Reindl, Recycling Manager
Dane County, WI
reindl@co.dane.wi.us
(608)267-1533 - fax
(608)267-8815 - phone
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Date: Fri, 26 Dec 1997 11:35:49 -0700 (MST)
From: Eco-Cycle <ecocycle@bcn.boulder.co.us>
Subject: Tyvek in Business Week
Hi John,
My markets tell me that Tyvek is a no-no in ANY grade of paper you might
try to market... including the lowest of residential mixes. I understand
that the makers of Tyvek will take their product back however if you mail
it to them. Perhaps others have more details about this?
Eric Lombardi
EcoCycle
On Tue, 23 Dec 1997, John Reindl wrote:
> I noticed that the December 22nd issue of Business Week has a full
> sheet of Tyvek in it. Tyvek is the nearly untearable material used
> for some envelopes and other products.
>
> Does anyone know how this will affect the recyclability of this
> magazine? My assumption is that the Tyvek will be a major
> contaminant and that I need to educate my citizens to remove it
> before the magazine is put into the recycling bin.
>
> John Reindl, Recycling Manager
> Dane County, WI
>
> reindl@co.dane.wi.us
> (608)267-1533 - fax
> (608)267-8815 - phone
>
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End of GreenYes Digest V97 #314
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