Question

1. Why is Maya's plastic use related to her carbon footprint? (All of these statements are true. Pick the one that best and most directly explains how plastic use is related to increased carbon footprints.)

• Plastic is useful and readily available.
• Plastic is often created from molecules taken from natural gas and petroleum
• Plastic is an inexpensive way to transport goods.
• Plastic can sometimes be recycled

Answer 1

Maya’s waste chart:

Plastic water bottles:14 per week
Plastic bags: 5 per week
Food wrappers: 14 per week
Yogurt containers: 14 per week
Takeout containers: 1per week
Plastic cutlery: 5 per week

2. Which one of the following changes could Maya make to have the quickest, biggest impact to reduce her plastic use?

• Maya could wash and re-use her cutlery (forks, spoons, and knives).
• Maya could stop using plastic bags when she shops.
• Maya could use one reusable water bottle instead of using two single-use bottles every day.
• Maya could use a reusable container instead of using a disposable take-out container.