Quote:
Originally Posted by ShellShock
Isn't there a big environmental impact from all these electronic devices? Surely the batteries alone would make James Lovelock have an apoplectic fit? Have any studies been done comparing the relative environmental impact of (presumably recycled/recyclable) paper versus electronic replacements?
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Yes, there have been studies done. They indicate that although individual devices have a significant environmental impact in production, they make up for it by replacing reams of paper products with a greater environmental impact.
Further, electronic devices are capable of being almost wholly recycled (though, in many cases, this is still not being done), so have a greater potential usage lifetime than comparable amounts of paper (which, as I said, can only be recycled 2-3 times before being rendered useless pulp matter).
As devices become more energy efficient and adept at replacing more paper products (including even more environmentally-damaging glossy magazine content), the advantage becomes even more clear.
Here's a
page that discusses it further, and provides a link to an excellent study (tho a bit old now) on the issue.