A. Give yourself a "C" if the plastic is accepted at your
local recycling center. Give yourself a "D" if it is not, or if you don't know
whether it is. Plastic often pollutes while it's being made, and after it's thrown
away! Go back to top or find out about possible
Bonus Points.
B. By choosing a dry concentrated product, you did not purchase
extra packaging just to carry home water. Give yourself an "A" if your local recycling
center accepts the box (made of what is sometimes called "chip board", "light
cardboard", "kitchen cardboard" or "mixed paper".) Give yourself a "B" if your
recycling center does not accept this type material, or if you do not know whether
it does. Go back to top or find out about possible Bonus
Points.
C. These nifty gadgets can be used over and over again to
clean your clothes without phosphate detergents or other harmful chemicals. Give
yourself an "A" for making this clever choice. Go back to top
or find out about possible Bonus Points.
Bonus Points: Add a plus to your letter grade
if you purchased the largest size container. Leave your score alone if you purchased
the medium size. Add a minus if you purchased the small size. Lower your score
by one letter grade if you purchased the single-use size -- all those little containers
make extra trash!
Extra bonus:
Add a plus to your grade if the product does not contain phosphates, which
pollute ponds, lakes and streams.
