ABIO\biolect\14studcan

Counting the Cost of a Convenient Container: A Case for Christian Stewardship of Creational Resources⁽¹⁾ John E. Silvius, Professor of Biology

Discussion Goals:

To review some of the basic Scriptural principles of Christian environmental stewardship and to identify the considerations and constraints involved in applying these principles to the conservation of a creational resource, namely aluminum metal. Introduction:

⁽²⁾

The beverage and food distribution industry recognizes the importance of convenient, attractive packaging. For example, the Coca-Cola company claims that the embossed aluminum can is a key in its "strategy of using packaging to increase perceived value for customers, and 'it gives this can a really incredible appearance, a wonderful feel.' Consumers [have said] they like the look, the feel, and in some cases, say it makes the product taste better."

On the other hand, proper stewardship of aluminum as a metal resource requires that we consider the environmental, economic, and cultural-human rights implications surrounding "the convenient can."

Aluminum Mining and Smelting:

A large amount of energy is required to refine the bauxite and produce the molten aluminum, and then shape it into sheets from which cans are then manufactured. In addition there are prior costs of shipping the bauxite to the smelter, and restoration of landscapes disrupted by bauxite mining. Aside from the impact on tropical landscapes and resident biodiversity, there are also effects on human cultures and human rights.

Smelting Process Described: http://www.alfed.org.uk/smelting.htm

Bauxite Mining in Australia: http://www.gn.apc.org/inquirer/weipa.html

Question #1: Identify any ecological, Scriptural, and bioethical implications involved in bauxite mining in Suriname.

Subsidies:

According to McConnell, R.L. and D.C. Abel

²:

"The most obvious reason for a country to subsidize mining is to provide local employment. Subsidies might result in local workers receiving cash wages, allowing them to raise their standard of living, or discouraging them from migrating to large cities to seek work there."

References that question the use of subsidies:
Creating a Sustainable Materials Society (WorldWatch Institute) http://www.worldwatch.org/pubs/paper/121.html
David Roodman's (WorldWatch Inst.) elaboration on the proposed elimination of subsidies and tax cut: http://www.worldwatch.org/alerts/pr980912.html

Question #2: How might subsidies for aluminum refining work in opposition to aluminum recycling? Can you identify benefits of subsidies?

Cost of Cans:

¹.

Based upon estimates from several sources as cited in , McConnell, R.L. and D.C. Abel

¹, a reasonable average energy requirement to produce one aluminum can is 2000 kilocalories (Cal), which equals 2.33 kWh per can.

Table 1. "Can Computations:"

Energy or Economic Component:	Quantity:
1. Energy required to produce 1 aluminum can (from above) =	2.33 kWh
2. Cost a Consumer pays per kWh to Dayton Power and Light =	$0.09/kWh
3. Cost of manufacturing the 6 aluminum cans (from item 2.) =
4. Sale price of a six-pack of a generic brand of soft drink =
5. Profit to be divided among aluminum refiners, container manufacturers, beverage manufacturers and beverage handlers =

Question #3: How do you explain the narrow profit margin above?

Question #4: Compute the quantity of energy in kWh represented in the discarding of aluminum cans by the

1997 estimate given in the Introduction. ___________________

Question #5: What dollar value according to our current economy is placed on these discarded cans?

_______________ Analyze this practice from a stewardship perspective.

Dams and Fish:

¹. Meanwhile, the hydroelectric power dams have been one of the reasons for the decline in salmon and steelhead trout from a once prospering fishing industry on the Columbia and Snake Rivers.

Question #6: What other ecological challenges exist in the Pacific Northwest, and how might the interactions of landscape and river use and/or abuse combine to lower the quality of the river habitats? What do current policies suggest concerning the value that is being placed upon the land, the water, and aquatic life in the Northwest; and, upon aluminum cans?

Summary:

Question #7: Do you believe the references cited present an accurate picture? Explain.

Question #8: You may wish to consult other sources dealing with aluminum refining and usage. Bring them to

the discussion and be prepared to share insights which you have found.

Group Discussion Questions:

1. In view of the above considerations, do you believe the manner in which we currently handle aluminum

is a moral and bioethical issue? Explain why or why not, and present Scriptural support for your position.

2. In what ways should a proper "environmental ethic" be applied to determining the cost of energy used by

3. Having discussed #2., how could Christians influence political decision making so as to favor
stewardship of aluminum?

4. Summarize the constraints against proper Christian stewardship of aluminum and propose a plan that

addresses and overcomes these constraints.

Compiled Internet Links to Aluminum Resource Usage
A. Aluminum Smelting:

1. Smelting Process: http://www.alfed.org.uk/smelting.htm

2. Case Example #1: Bauxite mining in Suriname - Implications for human rights and rain forest biodiversity

http://www.boycott.org/igc/en/hl/98091718315/hl5.html

3. Case Example #2 (Industry View): Australian Aluminum Council - includes greenhouse gas/global

http://www.dpie.gov.au/resources.energy/environment/greenhouse/challenge/agreements/aac2.html

B. Possible Hindrances to Recycling Aluminum

Economics of Recycling Subsidies:

Link to David Roodman, World Watch Inst., author of

The Natural Wealth of Nations who argues that governments must slash the $650 billion in obsolete subsidies for environmentally destructive activities like clearcutting and mining--that could pay for a $2000 tax cut for every family of four in the United States, Japan or Germany. And they need to shift an additional $1.5 trillion a year in revenue, by jacking up taxes on pollution and resource waste and using the money to cut taxes on work and investment. Link to Rodman's book:

The Natural Wealth of Nations http://csf.colorado.edu/sustainable-economics/natural-wealth.html

David Roodman's elaboration on the proposed elimination of subsidies and tax cut:

http://www.worldwatch.org/alerts/pr980912.html

Creating a Sustainable Materials Society (WW Institute)

http://www.worldwatch.org/pubs/paper/121.html

C. Recycling Statistics

1. Anchorage Recycling Center:

http://www.anchoragerecycling.com/alumfact.htm

2. "Aluminum" -- properties and influences on recycling -- brief summary of benefit of recycling

aluminum with respect to energy conservation; sugested plan for increasing recycling is given.

http://www.deq.state.la.us/assistance/recycling/home/aluminum.htm

3. Greenhouse Challenge -- Guide to Recycling of Common Materials:

http://www.obviously.com/recycle/guides/common.html

4. Daily Metal Prices -- http://www.metalprices.com

Christian Stewardship Implications for Recycling -- Internet Articles by Dr. Calvin DeWitt, AuSable Institute:

http://cesc.montreat.edu/papers/action/The_First_Step1.htm

http://cesc.montreat.edu/papers/action/Can_The_Whole_World1.htm

_________________
1. Presented at the Fourth Annual Conference on Bioethical Issues, 1998. Mt. Vernon Nazarene College,
Mt. Vernon, OH,
2. McConnell, R.L. and D.C. Abel. 1999. Environmental Issues: Measuring, Analyzing,
and Evaluating. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ.