Photo: ThinkstockBy Rachel Z. Arndt
Which is greener, printed books or e-Readers? Plastic wrap or aluminum foil? The answers will surprise you.
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Washing by Hand vs. Dishwasher
Assumption
Laboring at the sink with a sponge must be better than using that energy guzzler under the counter.
Reality Check
A dishwasher is something most folks are not-incredibly efficient. It can save up to 5,000 gallons of water per year compared with scrubbing by hand. That's because it uses roughly five gallons per load, about one-fifth the amount most people use at the sink. And when less water is needed, your home's hot-water heater uses less energy.
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Just make sure you don't prerinse, which can squander an extra 20 gallons of water; don't run the machine with only a few dishes inside; and skip settings-like heat-dry or rinse-hold-that are stronger than necessary.
Go Greener
Look for phosphate-free detergent brands. The chemical can spread from wastewater and wreak havoc on lakes and streams, stimulating algae growth that deprives other aquatic plants and animals of oxygen.
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Printed Book vs. E-reader
Assumption
Because it's estimated that making one Kindle creates 22 times more greenhouse-gas emissions than producing a book, e-readers are eco-disasters.
Reality Check
The more you read, the more it makes sense to curl up with an e-reader. Though producing a single device takes a greater toll than making one book, you can download indefinitely. According to one study, once you read 23 books, the environmental hit of a Kindle is the same as the print version; download more and your e-reader trumps books. Of course, using it requires energy, but its energy-efficient screen needs less juice than most electronics. And downloading a new book takes only a few clicks, while buying a printed book means driving to a bookstore or having it shipped to you.
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Go Greener
Unplug your charger when it's not in use so it doesn't suck extra energy. When you upgrade, recycle your e-reader at Amazon or Best Buy.
Plastic Wrap vs. Aluminum Foil
Assumption
Plastic is Earth's kryptonite; anything, including foil, must be better.
Reality Check
Experts estimate that plastic hangs around landfills for up to 1,000 years; aluminum foil, 500. Yet plastic wrap is the better choice per use. Because aluminum foil manufacturing is so complex, starting with bauxite ore mining, it's more energy-intensive and emissions-heavy. Making a square foot of plastic wrap uses about 30 percent as much energy and produces about one-tenth as many emissions as making foil. If you're a die-hard foil fan, make its eco-impact more comparable to plastic wrap by reusing the same piece four times.
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Go Greener
When you can, skip both and opt for reusable glass containers.
KEEP READING: For More Answers That Will Surprise You
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