Paper or Plastic? Packaging Goes Green

text size A A A
July 13, 2007

The advent of treeless paper and biodegradable plastics has further complicated the age-old supermarket question: "Paper or plastic?" Researchers making sustainable paper and plastic products discuss how U.S. efforts to switch to Earth-friendly packaging measure up with efforts in Europe.

Jane Bickerstaffe, director, Industry Council for Packaging & the Environment (INCPEN), Reading, England

Nicole F. Smith, architect, environmental director, Design & Source Productions, Inc.

Suresh Narine, associate professor, director, Alberta Lipid Utilization Program, University of Alberta

 
 

More Environment

Podcast + RSS Feeds

Podcast RSS

  • Environment
     
  • Talk of the Nation
     
 
 
 

Comments

Discussions for this story are now closed. Please see the Community FAQ for more information.

 

NPR thanks our sponsors

Become an NPR Sponsor

Map of Asia. Credit: NPR

Map: Carbon Emissions Giants

Who are the biggest carbon polluters today? Who will it be in 2030?

Amazon forest

Climate Strategists: Focus On Forests To Cut Emissions

The basic idea: Let rich countries pay poor ones to save and even expand carbon-absorbing forests.

Marsh grasses in California

Can 'Carbon Ranching' Offset Emissions In Calif.?

Farmers hope money they make from capturing greenhouse gases would make up for the lost acreage.

China

What Countries Are Doing To Tackle Climate Change

Many of the world's major greenhouse gas emitters are forging their own plans to cut emissions.

A carbon atom. Credit: OddTodd

Global Warming? It's All About Carbon

An animated Robert Krulwich chemistry lesson -- in five episodes.

Red marks area of potential flooding in Florida. Credit: NPR

Rising Temperatures, Disappearing Coastlines

See what climate change could do to a coastline near you.