What is the carbon footprint of a 55-gallon drum?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has conducted research to answer this question. They studied how reducing waste can help combat climate change. They looked at 23 types of waste materials, including high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which is used in our tanks and 55-gallon drums. Each drum contains about 21 pounds of HDPE. For every 95 drums used, one ton of HDPE is needed.
In numbers, what is the benefit of not producing and landfilling 95 drums?
• Carbon Savings: Reducing the need for one ton of HDPE saves about 0.98 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2E).
• Landfill Impact: Sending HDPE to landfills adds a small amount of carbon emissions, about 0.02 MTCO2E per ton.
• Net Benefit: By not producing and landfilling 95 drums, we avoid emitting about 1 metric ton of CO2, or 1,000 kilograms.
How does this benefit the environment?
Reducing carbon emissions, such as avoiding the emission of about 1 metric ton of CO2 (or 1,000 kilograms), is beneficial for the environment because:
• Lower CO2 emissions mean fewer air pollutants like sulfur and nitrogen oxides, which are linked to respiratory issues and heart diseases. Cleaner air improves public health and reduces the incidence of asthma and other lung diseases.
• Reducing emissions helps stabilize weather patterns, making communities more resilient against these events.
• Lower CO2 levels help maintain stable climates, preserving habitats for plants and animals.
• By reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we slow down global warming, which helps prevent rising temperatures and associated health impacts like heat exposure.
