The energy cost that would apply to Edwin but not to Eleanor primarily relates to the energy involved in the production of the new water bottle and the additional energy costs of recycling.
Edwin's scenario involves buying a new water bottle, refusing it twice (which implies he didn't use it for its intended purpose), and then recycling it. This means that the energy cost incurred in creating that water bottle is not offset by any significant reuses, as Edwin essentially did not make use of the bottle as intended before recycling it. The recycling process itself also requires energy, though typically less than what is used in the production of new plastic.
Eleanor, on the other hand, purchases a water bottle and reuses it twelve times before throwing it away. In her case, she is utilizing the bottle effectively, thereby distributing the energy cost of the initial production over multiple uses. This means she has a lower relative energy cost per use compared to Edwin.
In summary, the energy cost associated with the initial production of a new water bottle (which Edwin incurs fully) and the energy involved in recycling (which can be significant) applies to Edwin's actions. In contrast, Eleanor avoids this cost through her reuse of the bottle, spreading out the energy cost over twelve uses before disposal.
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