With regard to the emission of greenhouse gases, the efforts of governments are focused on reducing the circulation of automobiles as much as possible. But efforts may still be misfocused.
The use of microwaves, an almost essential appliance in European homes, emits as much carbon dioxide as almost seven million cars in the European Union alone , according to a study by the University of Manchester.
Researchers have carried out the first comprehensive study on the environmental impacts of microwaves , considering their entire life cycle, from purchase to disposal.
Microwaves account for the highest percentage of sales of all types of ovens in the EU, with figures that will reach almost 135 million in 2020. Despite this, the scale of their impacts on the environment was not known until now.
In total, the research team looked at 12 different environmental factors, including climate change, depletion of natural resources, and ecological toxicity.
The conclusions were clear: microwaves emit 7.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year in the EU . This is equivalent to the annual emissions of 6.8 million cars, or the equivalent of the annual electricity generated by three large gas power plants.
As the research shows, the main environmental pollutants are the materials used to make microwaves, the manufacturing process, and end-of-life waste management. In fact, the manufacturing process alone contributes more than 20% to the depletion of natural resources and climate change.
However, it is the consumption of electricity by microwaves that has the greatest impact on the environment, taking into account its entire life cycle, from the production of fuels to the generation of electricity.
For example, the typical use of a microwave oven for a lifetime of 8 years, using 573 kilowatt hours, consumes as much as if we left a 7-watt LED light bulb on for about nine years , the equivalent of the expense of three large power plants. gas energy in one year.
And all this despite the fact that microwaves spend more than 90% of their life inactive, in standby mode.
Set the cooking time
The study authors suggest that efforts to reduce consumption should focus on improving consumer awareness and behavior to use appliances more efficiently. For example, microwave electricity consumption should be reduced by adjusting the cooking time to the type of food.
Additionally, due to its relative low cost and ease of manufacture, consumers are discarding more electrical and electronic equipment than ever before , including microwaves.
Referencia:
‘Environmental assessment of microwaves and the effect of European energy efficiency and waste management legislation’ Alejandro Gallego-Schmid, Joan Manuel F.Mendoza, Adisa Azapagic, Science of the Total Environment DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.11.064
