A life cycle analysis could illustrate whether energy-gobbling incandescent bulbs actually have lower toxicity impacts, but your article fails to mention that.Īnd while stating that “bioplastic is considered really good because it degrades-it’s compostable,” the article fails to point out that 1) not all bioplastics degrade 2) degradability and compostability are not the same and 3) degradability might not be desirable, because in a landfill, degradation produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. By reducing combustion of coal and other fossil fuels, they also serve to reduce emissions of mercury and other air toxics from power plants.

That is true, but again only half the story.

Tyler also points out that compact fluorescent and LED lamps contain toxic metals that may cause human harm. studies also show that recycling paper saves far more energy than burning it as fuel.ĭr. Recycling fared even better on other metrics, such as human toxicity and climate change. Tyler concludes “we are making some assumptions about recycling that maybe we shouldn’t be making.” What assumptions are these? Of thirteen different studies recently evaluated in the U.K., eight found that recycling paper saved more energy than incineration. Tyler has done just that.īased on a single study in the United Kingdom, showing that burning paper for energy saved more energy than recycling, Dr. Unfortunately, in the course of substantiating his hypothesis that popular wisdom is often wrong, Dr.

Results of multiple studies can always be “cherry picked” to support nearly any position. Poor communication can paralyze people with indecision-or worse, lead them to bad decisions. Popular wisdom about environmental impacts is sometimes wrong, and life cycle analysis can be a powerful tool for uncovering hidden impacts.Ĭomplex analysis can yield complex results, however, and analysis is only half the challenge. Environmental impacts are complex and can involve trade-offs. I’m writing in response to your article “Paper or Plastic? The Answer Might Surprise You,” in which you interview chemistry professor David Tyler.ĭr. In our Ask the Expert column, we interviewed chemist David Tyler, who offered his views on 'life-cycle assessments' that seek to determine the environmental impact of consumer choices.

Travel mug life cycle analysis