Originally posted by Wolf N.Eagleburger:
Jewel cases are not environmentally friendly nor are biodegradeable. A typical CD jewelcase is made up of 85 grams of PolyVinyl Chloride (PVC). When the CD case is no longer needed, it either sits for thousands of years in landfills or is incinerated, which releases dioxin into the atmosphere, one of the most toxic carcinogens on the planet. A single 1,000 order of replicated CDs, using standard plastic jewel cases creates nearly 200 lbs. of one of the most dangerously toxic chemicals on the planet today.
You're missing the point. Obviously, it is impossible to live in a way that has a zero impact on the environment. But you do have choices. And you can minimize your impact by choosing the more environmentally friendly option.
Specifically regarding your jewel case example, some bands have forgone plastic jewel cases in favor of cardboard ones. To go back to my environmental posterchild band Cloud Cult, they use re-used jewel cases, print their inserts on recycled paper, and even use non-PVC shrink wrap. And like kosmo mentioned, we now have the option of buying music online, eliminating the need for packaging completely.
When there isn't an environmentally friendly option, you can use your consumer power to demand it. Remember when CDs used to come encapsulated in those useless long carboard boxes? Ever wonder why they stopped doing that? Pressure from environmentally-minded consumers, that's why.
New York Times Article
