What’s the bigger climate threat: Single-use plastic or long-haul shipping?

By Eve Andrews | 1/7/21 | Grist

Q. Dear Umbra,

I want to use less plastic, but have no bulk stores nearby. I’m considering using online stores that let you return and reuse personal care product packaging. Do CO2 emissions from mailing and refilling shampoo bottles negate their environmental good?

— My Soap Choice Limits Emissions? Ah, Nice!

A. Dear MS. CLEAN,

You’re up against two great behemoths of environmental scourgery here: plastics and e-commerce. Each one is bad for the environment in its own lamentable way (more on that shortly), and yet they are similarly so embedded in our modern supply chain that avoiding them requires going to great lengths. How ridiculous is it that the simple act of buying shampoo, to your example, should entail a choice between two such ruinous forces! But let’s review the respective flaws of each to illuminate your dilemma: Read More >>