On the perennial packaging dilemma

23 May 2005

Got questions about the environment? Ask Umbra.

Dear Umbra,

I was recently elected the social chairperson of my subdivision's swim/tennis/social club. Now I'm in charge of party planning for a group of about 150 families. While shopping at Costco, I wondered which is better for the environment: several 128-ounce jugs of apple juice plus many plastic cups, or lots of 6.75-ounce juice boxes that would equal the same juice volume, or the equivalent in 10-ounce plastic bottles? (Glass bottles aren't really an option because most parties are at the pool, where glass isn't allowed.) As this is just the first of about 10 parties planned for the year, I'd appreciate your advice for future use.

Samantha Foster
Lilburn, Ga.

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Dearest Samantha,

First, let me thank you for your letter. I'm thrilled and daunted to answer a question from a Georgia subdivision mom who shops at Costco. I feel hope for the world, and I hope you find Grist useful.

Which is better, box or bottle?

Now, to your shopping dilemma -- and you are far from alone in asking my help with this sort of quandary -- just remember the first of the three R's: reduce. The general idea with any packaging is that less is better. (If you have time between parties, you might want to read a detailed breakdown of why that's true, put together by the Institute for Lifecycle Environmental Assessment.)

Using this rule of thumb, your large-volume jug with individual cups is the preference. But when you choose the cups, go with paper over plastic. You might also provide pens and encourage people to mark their cups so that they use only one, or even ask people to bring their own cups.

If we could reduce the amount of packaging in the world, it certainly would be lovely, and Costco's bulk approach is positive in this regard. But there are also other ways to reduce when it comes to grocery shopping. One is to support reductions in agricultural chemicals by buying organic. Another is to reduce "food miles" -- jargon for how many miles the food travels from farm to mouth -- by buying local products. Typical food mileage in the U.S. hovers around 1,200 (this study from Iowa will give you a taste of how produce travels). If you can find a source closer to your community, you will reduce fuel use and food miles. You'll also support a local business and keep money within your community.

Sweet Samantha, it can be more expensive -- or, at the least, require a bit of legwork -- to find local or organic juices. Give it a try, though, if you can. Call your nearest health food store or state cooperative extension office and see what you can find. I know you Georgians grow some nice fruit.

Peachily,
Umbra

Yours is to wonder why, hers is to answer (or try). Please send Umbra any nagging question pertaining to the environment -- but first check out her FAQs!

The claims made in this column may not reflect the views of this magazine. Neither the magazine nor the author guarantees that any advice contained in this column is wise or safe. Please use this column at your own risk.

Umbra Fisk is Grist Research Associate II, Hardcover and Periodicals Unit, floors 2B-4B.

Comments: (5 comments)

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why do you write your ardicles in this grey,?

It is bad enough that the letters are so small you need a microscope to read them, but the grey answers are impossible tp see or read.Why can't you use print like that being used to POST A COMMENT.

gviste

by gviste at 6:22 PM on 23 May 2005

to jug or not to jug

What a great opportunity to educate your fellow association members of alternative and more environmentally friendly ways to socialize! If you
know that you are going to have several parties-- what about purchasing nice reusable coolers and make the punch yourself? MJ

by MeanJean at 1:57 PM on 24 May 2005

Geez, patronizing much?

I love Umbra. It's the first thing I read when I get Grist in my inbox. But can't we assume that all Grist readers are, in their humble way, actually working to make the planet a cleaner, safer, place? That perhaps the writer from Lilburn, GA, is bicycling to Costco from her environmentally-planned community? Alright, maybe that's a little far-fetched, but let's quit with the attitude, OK?

For future party reference, the Costco on Steve Reynolds Boulevard has organic apple juice in gallon jugs.

by klondikekat at 7:42 AM on 25 May 2005

surplus packaging

many of the supermarkets in holland and germany I used to shop in when living in those countries offered a table, positioned after the checkout counters, for removal of surplus packaging. customers put the packaging in a box and left it behind - it was disposed of properly by the store. better yet, research companies came to see what was left and I assume they made recommendations to suppliers based on their findings. what I remember were particularly trashed were breakfast cereal boxes (the inner bags are less bulky to carry home) and many other extraneous outer wrappers. I bet by now the cereal companies have come up w/ packaging that leaves their name on the inner wrapper!, at least in places were this program is common.
greening, mihal

by mihale at 8:47 PM on 25 May 2005

To jug or not

I understand that glass glasses are a bad idea around a pool, but what is wrong with real plastic glasses that can be washed and reused - with no waste? If there are to be several such pool parties, the task of washing and bringing to the next event could be shared, along with the table cloth, the utensils, etc.

by smf at 4:00 AM on 05 Jun 2005

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Jug or Not

On the perennial packaging dilemma