Handouts: Table 1 and Table 2
You're Eating More Energy Than You Think!
 
Trash Goes To School
Cornell Waste Management Institute
 
 
 
Table 1. Energy Used to Produce Packaging Materials
 
Materials
kcal/lb.
kcal/oz.
kcal/gm.
BTUs/lb.
BTUs/gm.
 Paper  5,134  321  11.4  20,373  44.9
 Glass  1,918  120  4.2  7,611  16.8
 Steel  3,724  233  8.3  14,778  32.6
 Aluminum  24,837  1,552  54.7  98,560  217.1
 Plastic   4,670   292  10.3  18,532  40.8
 
 
 
 
Table 2. Comparison of Packaging Types
 

 Food

 Amount by Weight

 Energy for Container (kcal.)

 Today's Price ($)
 Fresh potatoes

 

 

   
 Canned potatoes

 

 

   
 Frozen potatoes
(hashbrowns)		      
 Potato chips

 

 

   
 Dehydrated potatoes