We all like to do our bit for the planet. We use bags for life and separate our household waste for recycling. We turn down the thermostat, throw on an extra jumper and turn off lights to reduce our household energy consumption. As support for climate action grows, more and more of us are replacing petrol and diesel cars with electric vehicles and choosing to holiday in the UK as a way of keeping down our personal carbon footprint.

TEAM Energy has compiled a list of some everyday items that make a greater impact than you think:

Glass bottles

Most of us assume that a glass bottle is a more environmentally friendly choice for our drinks than plastic bottles. However, the production of glass calls for furnaces to operate at temperatures of over 1500 degrees Celsius, emitting greenhouse gases that include carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides. And because they weigh more than their plastic alternatives, transporting glass bottles can produce even greater emissions. That said, if a glass bottle is reused enough times, it can have a smaller carbon footprint than a plastic bottle.

Adhesive tape

Have you ever considered the environmental impact of the adhesive tape you use every time you wrap a present or pack up goods to return goods to the manufacturer? Tape that is made with synthetic resins and plastic film contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, and each application can really add up. Additionally, when the plastic film and synthetic residue are left on paper and cardboard, it can interfere with the recycling process, which can result in batches of recycling being diverted to general household waste. Some types of tape, such as masking tape, can be recycled and make a more sustainable alternative.

Tea bags

Us Brits consume over 60 billion cups of tea each year, with 96% of tea drinkers choosing tea bags for their brew rather than tea leaves. However, many tea bags available in the shops contain polypropylene plastic, a sealing plastic, to keep them from falling apart. So, when you think you are doing your bit for the planet by putting your used tea bags in the food waste, because this plastic is not recyclable or biodegradable you are contaminating it. However, an increasing number of brands are turning to sustainable tea bags, so watch this space.

The internet

Did you know the internet has a bigger carbon footprint than air travel? Aside from the manufacturing and powering of products we use, one of the more surprising sources of carbon dioxide comes from processing data. The internet itself releases around 830 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. That’s 2% of the global carbon footprint. The main source of this is server farms, which are necessary since they store all the data we use on the internet, as they use a huge amount of energy to power and cool the equipment.

Smart tech

As with the data centres, electronic devices have a large carbon footprint. The contribution of IT and the electronics sector to climate change is a growing problem, with studies suggesting that the production and use of electronic devices will account for 14% of global greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
Like the devices themselves, the issue is complex, with emissions occurring throughout the, often very short, lifecycle of a product. Mining the natural resources for the materials used, multiple stages of manufacture, transportation and disposal all contribute significantly to the climate impact of a device. Using a device each day has a bigger impact on the environment than just manufacturing it. As mentioned before, a lot of energy is needed to run the data centres and infrastructure that allow you to make video calls, post selfies and stream TV.

Scented candles

The UK government’s 2019 Clean Air Strategy cited candles as a source of non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), which can ultimately be bad for both the environment and your health by contributing to indoor pollution. Many scented candles contain paraffin wax, a by-product of crude oil, which means a burning candle emits fossil fuels. They can have wicks with cotton wrapped around metal which produces soot that is toxic to breathe. Overall, they affect air quality, have perfumes that emit chemicals, and carry excessive and often non-recyclable packaging.

Composting

We expect composting to be a very environmentally friendly thing to do, however, it is one of the most surprising sources of greenhouse gases. Although compost doesn’t actually release carbon dioxide, instead it releases nitrous oxide and methane – two of the more potent greenhouse gases.
These emissions are produced as a result of macrobacteria that breaks down the compost undergoing anaerobic respiration resulting in the formation of methane and nitrous oxides.

ENDS
Notes to Editors
For further information, please contact:
Pauline Scoins – Marketing and PR Executive
TEAM Energy
Phone: +44 (0)1908 690018 Ext 204
Email: pscoins@teamenergy.com
EDW House, Radian Court, Knowlhill, Milton Keynes, MK5 8PJ

About TEAM
TEAM is the UK’s leading supplier of carbon and energy management solutions committed to driving the efficiency and sustainability of energy consumption and environmental awareness.
Its expert team works in partnership with organisations to design and deliver tailored management strategies supporting the provision of efficient and effective energy conservation.
The organisation’s 35-year history of collaborating with energy and sustainability professionals has led to the development of proven, scalable cloud-based solutions and service innovations for optimised reporting, cost recovery and compliance.
www.teamenergy.com