Most Popular
1500 questions
3
votes
1 answer
Why is there no energy star certification for portable or box fans?
Why are there no energy star certifications for portable fans?
From what I understand no portable electric heaters have the certification because using a portable heater is not efficient at all.
Ceiling fans and ventilation fans are certified;…
Agriculturist
- 133
- 4
3
votes
0 answers
Is it worth buying compostable dog poop bags instead of plastic if I'm going to throw them in regular trash bins?
I walk my dogs twice a day, pick up their poop with small disposable bags, and throw the bags in the first municipal trash bin I come across. They will presumably end up in a landfill.
I previously assumed it was better to buy biodegradable or…
Alex Hall
- 313
- 1
- 7
3
votes
0 answers
WTW versus LCA approach in carbon footprint calculations?
I recently did some carbon footprint calculations for the organization I work for. I used conversion factors I found at the Dutch CO2 emission factors website. This website lists standard emission factors for various energy sources to make it easier…
THelper
- 14,470
- 7
- 60
- 147
3
votes
3 answers
Biomass plants. Why do we use them?
I've recently read they are classified as "clean energy", and some nations do not count the CO2 emissions it produces towards a national CO2 quota/limit. At this point I am a little confused. Won't increased CO2 emissions from biomass plants…
gunter
- 133
- 3
3
votes
1 answer
Are solar powered cars sustainable and are they a good idea for future transportation?
As population rises, fossil fuels will start depleting so are solar powered cars a good idea? How much power can they produce when it is cloudy?
Atticus Denewmont
- 185
- 6
3
votes
1 answer
Are single-use PurPod coffee pods from Ethical Bean made with PLA?
I'm purchasing "compostable" K-cup coffee pods from Ethical Bean (see attached photo) that work in Keurig single-serve coffee machines. According to their FAQ, these compostable pods are OK for the green bin. But according to this 2018 article by…
Nic
- 2,889
- 1
- 24
- 47
3
votes
1 answer
How more efficient are low surface temperature radiators than traditional boiler systems?
I've recently come across low surface temperature radiators (E2 technology) as a form of heating. Unlike a traditional water radiator they operate at 30 - 50 C instead of 75 C. Small fans pull air across thin radiator fins to convect the heat…
Graham Chiu
- 708
- 3
- 13
3
votes
1 answer
What's the carbon footprint of watching IPTV?
There are some topics discussing the carbon footprint of an email:
What’s the carbon footprint of an email?
https://twosidesna.org/US/The-Carbon-Footprint-of-Email-is-quite-large/
However, I found none about the carbon footprint of watching "IPTV":…
jpo38
- 131
- 3
3
votes
1 answer
What is the fuel-use of an industrial sized diesel-machinery-based composting business?
As I understand it, the bulk compost made by one of our local businesses is produced by using heavy machinery to regularly scoop up and turn the source material and keep it active.
How much fossil fuel tends to be used by the machinery in such an…
Highly Irregular
- 8,795
- 10
- 38
- 78
3
votes
4 answers
Are there any unsustainable supply-chain issues unique to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles?
I was recently reading that lithium mining for electric vehicle batteries is wreaking havoc on deserts in Chile.
One proposed alternative to EVs in the search for a replacement for petroleum-fueled vehicles is hydrogen vehicles.
The most promising…
LShaver
- 11,885
- 6
- 30
- 81
3
votes
4 answers
How can I recycle safety razor blades?
I recently switched to a safety razor because
It's cheaper in the long run, even if I change blades more often
disposables are a recycling nightmare - (metal bonded to plastic)
Of course eventually blades will dull and not be usable anymore, so…
Sidney
- 285
- 1
- 4
3
votes
1 answer
Which of disposal or production of leather has a greater environmental impact?
Several times I've heard of people supporting leather against non-animal alternatives, saying that since animals are killed for meat we have a lot of skin to use and that it would be bad not to use it.
From this point of view we are led to draw the…
sound wave
- 131
- 1
- 1
- 1
3
votes
3 answers
Why are new cars being built in the UK / europe without Start-Stop technology when it seems it can lower pollution?
Everything I have read online seems to indicate that start / stop technology reduces air pollution, is (marginally) better for the engine, reduces emissions and is more economical (link1, link2, link3). My calculations, if correct, show that the…
atreeon
- 667
- 4
- 10
3
votes
3 answers
Does Start / Stop technology in cars have an impact on air quality and by how much?
I have repeatedly heard from various car enthusiasts that start stop technology has no benefit in improving air quality (or the tiniest smallest negligble benefit). Does it have an effect and how much?
I live in a busy town with many traffic lights…
atreeon
- 667
- 4
- 10
3
votes
1 answer
Approximate CO2 emissions for shipping a parcel from one location to another
First of all, I know it is impossible to answer this question accurately. But that is not the point. An approximation will suffice.
For a project I need to display the CO2 "cost" for shipping a parcel. It primarily involves shipping parcels between…
wout
- 141
- 4