Exam 7: Managing Solid Waste- a Plastic Surf: Are the Oceans Teeming With Trash- Ecology

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Plastic containers require petroleum for manufacturing. Plastic can be recycled. If you had to purchase milk in a plastic container, choose the larger gallon size instead of smaller containers which require more plastic. Paperboard cartons tend to be smaller sizes (half gallon), so you would need to purchase more of them compared to a gallon plastic jug. Not all municipal recycling programs accept paperboard, so you'll need to check if it can be recycled in your area. Alternatively, some municipal waste programs accept paperboard for composting. The glass bottle is refillable. It takes less energy to clean and refill a glass bottle than recycle plastic or paperboard. In most cases, a refundable deposit is required on glass bottles, so this cost could be prohibitive in some cases. As long as the glass bottle is reused/recycled and the cost and availability work for consumers, it seems to be the best choice. The second best choice is the paperboard container since it can be composted or recycled and is made from a renewable source (not fossil fuels).