RE: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] Conservationism (was: The Day After Tomorrow)

[Mike Miller <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

On Thu, 3 Jun 2004, Dave Lloyd wrote:

> Here's some info on how much energy recycled goods save:
>
> http://www.energy.gov/engine/doe/files/dynamic/962003112557_recycle.v20030518.html
>
> Personally, I recycled and try to be goods made from recycled materials 
> werever possible.  Case in point, toilet paper. Why shouldn't TP have 
> already had at least one run through the mill?

My question about recycling of paper is this:  Does it prevent pollution 
or does it cause pollution?  I have heard chemicals used in recycling are 
more environmentally hazardous than chemicals used in paper production and 
that the net effect of paper recycling is an increase in pollution.

Interestingly, I also have heard that recycling of paper means that fewer 
trees are grown for paper production, thus, we have fewer trees because of 
paper recycling, not more trees.  I don't know the studies, but 
second-hand accounts seem credible to me.  Natural forests are cut 
primarily for lumber, not for paper.

I wonder if anyone knows an authoritative source of information on these 
issues.


> Interestingly, emission laws are written so that they favor *less* 
> efficient cars, i.e., they descriminate against modern, clean diesels. 
> In fact, from what I've read, diesels produce *fewer* emissions per mile 
> and the sorts that they do produce are *less* harmful than emissions 
> from internal combustion engines.  Even though I consider myself on the 
> left side of things, I'll be the first to agree that there are ton of 
> environmental regulations that are just plain messed up.

Diesel engines are internal combustion engines.  You must be thinking of 
diesel vs. gasoline.  I have heard that diesel emissions are more readily 
biodegraded and less harmful, but they might put out more soot, or 
something.  Anyway, right now is a great time to own a diesel car (my 
parents have a VW Beetle) because you get more miles per gallon of fuel 
with diesel than with gasoline and a gallon of diesel costs less than a 
gallon of gasoline.

Mike
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