Eco-guilt

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by RStar

Think about it. Do you know where most of the paper pulp ( like newspaper and cardboard) and steel (like cars) are recycled? From what I hear it's Japan. That's a rather large carbon footprint just shipping it there. Does it save greenhouse gasses to recycle it over mining more? I don't know. Even shipping aluminum cans around the country to recycle adds to greenhouse gasses.

It's China actually, not Japan. Though there is a fair amount of recycling that takes place here in the states. But as far as the transportation to China is concerned, what makes it economical to send the paper to China for recycling is all of the empty cargo containers already heading there. As long as we have a trade deficit with China, that will remain the case.

But the bigger oddity of paper recycling is that it takes more energy to recycle paper than to use virgin pulp.

[RStar]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

But the bigger oddity of paper recycling is that it takes more energy to recycle paper than to use virgin pulp.

Oh, China. I knew it was in the Orient. So recycled paper saves trees, but increases carbon output. Lovely. At least if the ship was headed back to china it may as well cary something back, huh? I would think it takes more fuel to push a heavy ship as compared to an empty one, though. But I'm not sure.

It's so confusing to know what the best thing for the planet is when it comes to being green.

I agree with Kermit......

It's not easy being green!

[Jazzman]

Originally Posted by RStar

So recycled paper saves trees, but increases carbon output.

Well, since trees scrub carbon from the air, and carbon dioxide isn't actually a pollutant, then your "equation" is actually pretty beneficial to ol' Mother Gaia.

[RStar]

Originally Posted by Jazzman

Well, since trees scrub carbon from the air, and carbon dioxide isn't actually a pollutant, then your "equation" is actually pretty beneficial to ol' Mother Gaia.

True, "greenhouse gasses" are great for the plants. Unless the the weather changes and riseing oceans whipes them out of course. It's the rise in mean temperature that is also of concern, mainly to humans. If, indeed, that is what is happening.

[Jazzman]

Originally Posted by RStar

If, indeed, that is what is happening.

Great, big, humongous (and not supported by any scientific evidence) "if" there.

[Stan4dSteph]

Originally Posted by Jazzman

Great, big, humongous (and not supported by any scientific evidence) "if" there.

Too funny.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by Stan4dSteph

Too funny.

Agreed.


I missed the whole almond cleaner part for some reason. Also, too funny.

Originally Posted by RStar

I hear tell that electronic waist like old computers go to some third world country where they process them in a manner that pollutes the environment in ways that wouldn't happen in America.

This is true, and now when you recycle your haz waste you're supposed to ask where it's processed. Sometimes those third world countries just have landfills of the stuff.