Comments on: Life Cycles – Environmental Assessment

By: Crystle

Crystle — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 02:52:56 +0000

It appears the organization I referred to has lose their domain and place on the web. I’m sorry about that – so the links don’t seem to work. And I can’t find their new site.

By: Natalie Wilkinson

Natalie Wilkinson — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 02:46:31 +0000

I would love to find out more about ILEA however in following the link I end up at a website that seems to be more related to sales (2nd hand cars etc)than lifecycle assessment. Is this a New Zealand organisation? If so, is there another link? Thanks

By: Peter R. Snell

Peter R. Snell — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 04:32:44 +0000

Indeed the Institute’s findings are surprising regarding paper versus plastic bags. I have no doubt their assesment is thorough. But I find these comparisons can be dangerous if it leads one to think that plastic bags are therefore a choice at all.
Plastic bags, as have been shown worldwide, are an awful choice. Reusable and tough cloth bags are the way to go. The Institute’s findings may lead us away from bad choices (paper bags), but should in no way lead us to make choices that are only marginally better.
Indeed, the Institute’s final remarks lead one to think it promotes greater efficiency in plastic bag production and bagging techniques. This is dangerous. This is not a binary choice situation. Indeed, if we’re assessing choices, let’s assess cloth bags, plastic bins, wicker baskets, whatever people can use to avoid polluting.