What's Your Waste Trail?

When it comes to the environment, every purchase you make has a significant (good or bad) impact. Here's what WasteDiversion.org in their latest issue of Diversions has to say about your "waste trail:" Natural Capitalism author Paul Hawken estimates that, on average, some 3,200 pounds of manufacturing waste are generated for every 100 pounds of products that reach store shelves in the U.S. The production of a simple can of soda illustrates what this means. Making aluminum from bauxite ore generates 3 tons of mining waste for every ton of aluminum, including spent chemicals and sludge. After the aluminum is rolled into thin sheets and formed into cans, it is painted, lacquered and sprayed with a protective coating, producing more chemical waste. The cans are then packed onto pallets, wrapped with plastic and shipped to the bottler, where that packaging is discarded. Add to this waste water from washing the cans before they are filled with flavored syrup, water and carbon dioxide. The syrup has its own waste "baggage." When syrup is extracted from sugar beets, beet pulp is left behind as an organic waste product. Finally, there's paper waste from cutting cardboard cartons to ship the cans. And that's for just one can of soda! So, what can you do? Practice "conscious shopping." Do whatever you can to purchase locally-produced and eco-aware items. You won't be able to do that 100% in today's world, so do your best and realize that every purchasing decision you make counts.