Paper or Plastic: Searching for Solutions to an Overpackaged World

by Daniel Imhoff, Roberto Carra

The supermarket conundrum “Paper or plastic?” sums up a Western consumer society that is on a collision course with the planet’s life-support systems. Do we clearcut forests, process pulp, and bleach it with chlorine to make paper bags? Or do we make a pact with demon hydrocarbon, refining ancient sunlight into handy plastics? About half of America’s municipal solid waste is packaging—at least 300 pounds per person each year—and its “upstream” costs in energy and resources are even more alarming.
In this fascinating look at the world of packaging, author Daniel Imhoff delves into the life cycles of packaging materials, from wood products to glass, metals, and plastics, and looks at the countless ways that packaged goods shape our culture. Using case studies, the book explores positive trends such as producer responsibility and “take back” laws, the eco-design movement, plant-based plastic, labeling to disclose the ecological and social impacts of products, and integrated regional economies—that is, producing and consuming locally and in bulk.
As consumers, there’s much we can do to address the still-growing problem of packaging. Paper or Plastic offers a checklist for action, along with resources for detailed information.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sustainability

168 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2005

Reviews

[Shelley Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book holds a lot of information and also some pretty good pictures. It made me think about the fact that, when I buy something, I'm also buying the containter that it comes in. It made me think that paper isn't all that much better of an option than plastic. It's not the most uplifting read.

[Gage · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started out pretty slow, preaching to the choir about why sustainability is important (would anyone who doesn't know/care really read this book?).

But then it got better and turned out to be full of good information and actually quite useful. I marked it as 3 Stars though because it was tough to get past the beginning and I fear the info may be a bit outdated by now.

[Cheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I admit, I didn't finish this book. Perhaps it was because I've been reading so much about environmental issues lately that I have become burnt out/overwhelmed.

The section that struck me is on the ridiculousness of bottled water. Water, such as the Fiji brand, traveling across oceans (using fossil fuel), bottled in a one-time use bottle (rarely recycled) thereby polluting whatever drinking water we have left. I have become more conscientious about my drinking habits i.e., coffee cups, bottled drinks, drink boxes for the kids, etc.

But I am a complete hypocrite since I've used plastic diapers for both my children. I definitely have a huge environmental debt to pay. I'd better get started somewhere.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a little dry at times,which is why I only rated it 3 stars. But there are sections, for those of us who are concerned about waste & landfills, that are riveting. Though for personal choices I pretty well am in line with what I can personally do, there were options that companies are toying with (usually at great expense) that will/can cut down on waste.

This book was published in 2005, and there were waste-reducing concepts that were beginning to be introduced, but I have not seen those concepts put into action on a large scale. It was interesting to see what Europe has implemented to reduce packaging waste. Europe always seems to be ahead of the curve. But we are a much larger country, and global marketing also influences addressing packaging waste reduction.

[Anie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book about packaging waste. Although it's sometimes a tedious read, it's a worthwhile tedious read. The book highlights a number of issues regarding packaging and packaging design, and talks about a number of solutions. If you're not exactly into ecology or conservation, it might not be your book; if you are, you should give it a whirl.

[Talia]

Just started reading this book for my sustainable package design class and I'm loving it. Definitely another eye opener.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading for a paper...