CINDY BENAISA 1 Batx B (6)

Sandwiches pollute as much as cars do

Summary: 
researchers studied the carbon footprint of 40 types of sandwiches as it is a staple in the British diet. According to a study, the annual consumption of sandwiches in the UK has the same environmental impact as the use of more than 8 million cars.
They discovered that the type of sandwich with the greatest impact is the one made out of eggs, bacon and sausage sold in stores whose process from start to finish has the same repercussions as a car driving 19 kilometers.

Link:
http://www.elmundo.es/ciencia-y-salud/ciencia/2018/01/25/5a69c1c3ca4741ea618b45ac.html 

Publication date:
25/1/2018

Scientific field:
Ecology

Glossary:

Footprint
A marked effect, impression or impact left.

Environmental
Relating to the natural world and the impact of human activity on its condition

Analysis comment:
This study includes the entire process of making a sandwich: production, ingredients, packaging, refrigeration and the waste of ingredients. According to the British Sandwich Association, 11.5 billion sandwiches are consumed each year in the country half of which are prepared at home and the other half are sold in stores. Keeping sandwiches refrigerated in supermarkets and stores also increases their carbon footprint. Packaging reaches up to 8.5% and finally, transporting materials adds an additional 4%.
Researchers believe that the carbon footprint of these foods could be reduced by 50% if recipes, packaging, recycling and expiration date were changed, which could be extended saving 2,000 tons of waste per year.