Tag: zero waste

The carbon footprint of plastic production. A donut chart shows greenhouse gas emissions from plastic production in 2019 with a breakdown by plastic polymer type. Total GHG emissions are estimated at 2.24 billion tonnes CO2 equivalents. The plastics contribute to this total roughly in proportion to the amount of each plastic produced per year. Major contributors are polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Social and environmental issues

The astonishing carbon footprint of plastic production

Last year, scientists from Lawrence Berkeley National Lab reported that the carbon footprint of plastic production is around 2.2 billion tonnes of CO2-equivalents. That’s more than double previous estimates, amounting to more than 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. If the plastics industry continues to grow at the current rate, it will be one of the biggest drivers of climate change by 2050. Continue reading The astonishing carbon footprint of plastic production

Unknown's avatarjkaybay17 Comments
The image on the left shows Taylor Swift dressed in a Starbucks apron, ready to write on a cup. The text around that image reads, "I've got a blank space baby... and I'll write your name." On the right is a photo of Stephen Merchant, holding a coffee cup in a scene from The Good Place. The text around this image reads, "Actually, I brought my own mug!" Starbucks Lovers: Bring your own darn mug!
Ethical shopping guide, How to measure social and environmental impact, Social and environmental issues

Starbucks Lovers: Bring your own darn mug! PS: Free coffee!

In this post I’m going to outline a game plan to incentivize all the lonely Starbucks lovers to finally start bringing their own reusable cups! The bonus stars that you earn by bringing a personal cup will score you a free bag of coffee beans in no time. If you select organic beans, this will put a little extra pressure on Starbucks to source ethically. Continue reading Starbucks Lovers: Bring your own darn mug! PS: Free coffee!

Unknown's avatarjkaybay7 Comments
Shadowlands cafe in Oakland, which does not stock disposable cups; zero-waste cafe
Social and environmental issues

Cafes saying no to disposable coffee cups

Hi folks! You know, there are many global issues that we could solve through simple changes in our lifestyle. Getting rid of disposable coffee cups is a good example. There has been a big push to find technological solutions to coffee cup waste, focusing on that plastic liner that makes cups hard to recycle. Designing more sustainable materials is a good thing  but, as Elaine … Continue reading Cafes saying no to disposable coffee cups

Unknown's avatarjkaybay9 Comments
Ethical shopping guide

Daily Footprint, #22 – Potato Chips, Part 2: Packaging

Apparently it became all the rage in mid-19th century Saratoga Springs, NY, to carry your potato chips around the spa town, munching along the way. (See part 1 for the dubious origin story.) As restaurants and vendors began selling potato chips around the world they often packaged them in waxed paper bags. Modern bags are made from multiple layers of plastic and foil and are … Continue reading Daily Footprint, #22 – Potato Chips, Part 2: Packaging

Unknown's avatarjkaybay13 Comments