Should our use of paper or plastic be regulated?
cite | research | data | phase | strategy
Embedded Files
Do the Math
Do the Math
Option 1:
Option 1:
There are many cities across the country that are considering phasing out plastic shopping bags. Many believe switching to paper bags would be a good strategy for helping the environment. However, some people have cited data that might make people change their minds. Researchers discovered that 2,511 BTUs* of energy are used to make a paper bag and just 594 BTUs to make a plastic bag. Therefore, many suggest that the best strategy to save energy is for shoppers to bring reusable bags from home.
How much more energy is spent making a paper bag than making a plastic bag?
A. 2,000 BTUs
B. 817 BTUs
C. 1,918 BTUs
D. 1,917 BTUs
Option 2:
Option 2:
Taylor is making her weekly trip to the grocery store. Despite the research on the benefits of reusable bags, she still uses paper and plastic. She bags her own groceries in two phases using a special strategy: meats and cheeses in plastic bags, fruits and vegetables in paper.
Write an equation that shows the relationship between the number of paper and plastic bags Taylor uses and the total number of BTUs it took to make those bags. Use the data cited in Option 1.
Let p = the number of paper bags, c = the number of plastic bags, and b = the total number of BTUs.
Discussion Question:
Discussion Question:
Researchers have pointed out problems with using paper bags as well as plastic bags. The data cited above illustrate one of those problems: Making bags takes energy. To protect the environment, some cities passed laws to phase out plastic bags. But is this the best strategy? Can you think of a better one?
* BTU (British Thermal Unit) is a standard measurement for heat energy.
Report abuse