About The ULS Report
We're Back! Welcome to...
 The ULS Report TM

 

 

 

For many years, The ULS Report was a bi-monthly newsletter created to help
people Use Less Stuff by conserving resources and reducing waste. It took a
common-sense approach to waste prevention, relying on facts and figures rather
than simply rising and falling with the tides of public opinion. The report is written
in a concise, easy-to-read style that mixes a dollop of entertainment with its informational
content. Popular articles included 'How to be an eco-friendly couch potato,' and 'Putting
packaging on a diet.' Regular features include shopping tips, a reader Q&A, Reduction
Roundup, and a column by garbologist Dr. William Rathje, co-author of the bestselling
book Rubbish! (and along with Editor Bob Lilienfeld, co-author of Use Less Stuff -- the book).

Because of all the revived interest in packaging and the environment, we're publishing once again. Here is our April-May-June 2008 issue! Got comments? Visit www.uls-report.blogspot.com.

 

 

ULS Research Reports

MARCH, 2008 - Revised Analysis of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Relating to Grocery Bags
This is an updated version of the study published in June 2007 (below). It includes an additional peer reviewed study and no longer includes data subsequently removed from EPA websites. Additionally, data has been normalized to reflect differences in carrying capacity between paper and plastic bags.

NOVEMBER, 2007 -- Analysis of Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) Data Relating to Milk Containers
Which half gallon milk container produces the smallest environmental burden in terms of energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions or post-consumer waste creation -- the one produced from corn-based polymers, the typical high density polyethylene jug, the paperboard carton, or the glass bottle? The results will probably surprise you:

JUNE, 2007 - Analysis of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Data Relating to Grocery Bags
The City of San Francisco has banned plastic bags from many grocery and drug stores. The objective was to reduce environmental impact and litter. An analysis of highly credible, peer reviewed data from around the world indicates that this ban, and others now being considered, will not produce the intended results. Read the Summary to learn why:

FEBRUARY, 2007 - Updated Packaging Efficiency Study
This study updates the original one prepared in 1995. Since then, there are many new and different types of packaging on the market. But one thing hasn't changed: source reduction, or waste prevention, can play the dominant role in creating more sustainable packaging. Read the Report to learn how and why:

DECEMBER, 2006 -- New Report on Environmental Differences
Between PLA and PET, PP, PS is Reviewed by Us
You've probably heard or read about PLA, a new plastic made from corn. There's been a lot
of speculation about whether or not PLA, which is made from a renewable resource, is a more sustainable plastic than traditional resins made from petroleum or natural gas. In the spirit
of looking for the truth, we just finished examining a life cycle inventory (LCI) study that was commissioned to study this issue. The results might surprise you -- unless, of course,
you're a faithful reader who knows the value of using less stuff.

You can get the study, and the press release about it, by clicking below:

 

Speaking of Source Reduction...

Many people have asked us to once again make available 42 Ways to Trim Your Holiday Wasteline.
Happy to oblige.

We also helped create a middle school source reduction curriculum for the National Science
Teachers Association (NSTA). Give it a once-over.

Check out our book, now available used (and cheap!):

ULSbookbanner.gif (12423 bytes)

 


 

For more information, send e-mail to use-less-stuff@comcast.net or contact us at 248-726-9729.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                               Copyright 1994 -2008 Robert Lilienfeld. All rights reserved.
                       Use Less Stuff, The ULS Report, and Reduction Roundup are trademarks of The ULS Report and Bob Lilienfeld.