Re: Fwd: FW: Study Shows Plastic's 'Bad Wrap' Packaging

swally@earthlink.net
Fri, 22 Jan 1999 16:56:31 -0500


While it is true that plastic occupies much less volue than other forms of
packaging, But the other packaging materials are biodegradable. The plastic
also forms a permanent barrier in the landfill to prevent water or anything
else passing thru which might help decay anything inside a disposed plastic
container.

>---------------------
>Forwarded message:
>From: wetherby@msn.com (david holt)
>Sender: owner-recycle@envirolink.org
>Reply-to: recycle@envirolink.org
>Date: 97-03-26 11:13:28 EST
>
>--------- Begin forwarded message ----------
>From: E-Wire <ewire@igc.apc.org>
>To: Recipients of ewire-transmit <ewire-transmit@igc.apc.org>
>Subject: Study Shows Plastic's 'Bad Wrap'
>Date: Mon, 24 Mar 1997 11:13:27 -0800 (PST)
>Message-ID: <APC&1'0'6cc5c81d'35b@igc.apc.org>
>
>==========================================================================
> E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE
>===========================================================================
>
>TO ENVIRONMENTAL EDITOR:
>
> University of Arizona Garbage Project Findings Suggest
> Plastics Shouldn't Get A 'Bad Wrap!'
>
> ANN ARBOR, Mich., March 24 -/E-Wire/-- Findings of a study conducted
>by Dr. William L. Rathje of the University of Arizona's Garbage Project shed
>new light on the packaging debate. Reported in the March/April issue of The
>ULS (Use Less Stuff) Report, the Garbage Project study of 15 U.S. and
>Canadian
>landfills, and one city's curbside pickup program, found that plastic
>packaging is the workhorse of source reduction.
>
> Dr. Rathje's analysis reached the following conclusions:
>
> -- Plastic packaging has become 50% more efficient in the last 20 years
> (in terms of less packaging delivering more product), and is as much
>as
> three times as efficient as other forms of packaging.
>
> By weight, plastics account for only 22% of packaging overall, yet 65% of
>all products delivered to our homes are packaged in it. In other words, if
>all plastic packaging was replaced by glass, paper, steel, aluminum, or some
>combination thereof, packaging discarded by households would more than
>double.
>And, as Dr. Rathje points out, "Every way of handling solid waste -- even
>recycling -- has an environmental impact in energy use and in pollution. The
>only truly environmentally friendly solution to garbage is source reduction."
> While stressing that plastics producers must encourage recycling just as
>other manufacturers must emphasize reduction, Dr. Rathje asserts that based
>on
>his findings, plastics are excellent source reducers and deserve a little
>respect.
>
> NOTE: The cover story of the March/April issue of The ULS (Use Less
>Stuff)
>Report spotlights high-profile, mainstream companies that have devoted time
>and effort to rethinking packaging, finding alternative energy sources and
>concentrating on reuse. Large companies such as Procter & Gamble, Quaker,
>Planters, Pepsi, General Motors, and Brother, have all produced products that
>benefit the consumer (by saving them money), the environment (by reducing
>waste or allowing for reuse) and themselves (through lower manufacturing
>costs
>and higher public opinion)!
>
>SOURCE Use Less Stuff Report
> -0- 3/24/97
> /CONTACT: Lisa Morgan of The Use Less Stuff Report, 212-924-6182/
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>--------- End forwarded message ----------