Are drive throughs causing a lot of waste and emissions?

Question

Think about all those cars just sitting in that drive through, engines idling. At rush hour, it is definitely not quicker to go through than to park and get out. I am a really big offender, but I am going to turn over a new leaf. It is so much more convenient to drive through with my little ones, but how about a healthy dinner instead?! I love to listen to the radio while I wait, but how about some thought and conversation instead?! If it were physically difficult for someone to get themselves in and out of a car, this I can understand. What a world of convenience we live in.

Answer 1

Yes, but the issues you mention; engines idling and packaging are not the main problem. A key contributor is the negative impact on health is a diet high in saturated fats which leads to long term health problems such as stroke and heart disease. As people are living longer, it may mean they have long term health problems for twenty or even thirty plus years which are extremely 'wasteful' of resources.  

The main issue for waste and emissions, however is the cheap beefburgers themselves. Many people do not like to think about the issue of eating meat. It is uncomfortable, but eating meat is very environmentally destructive, watch the youtube link below which takes it's facts from reliable sources.

Bear with it, the stats are very interesting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWWNLvgU4...

Next people argue that it is only the method of production that is not environmentally friendly and responsible for the greenhouse gas emissions. True, intensive beef and dairy farming is a major problem. However, environmentally friendly meat production is only really possible in totally integrated free range systems only then on backyard/homestead/small holding basis, after that the same environmental problems occur, although, perhaps, on a smaller scale. We can not produce the quantities of meat/dairy products that is demanded in an environmentally friendly way. The only answer is to eliminate or drastically cut down on consumption.

'Not eating meat is a far more effective way of dealing with environmental concerns than others including emissions.

If you take all factors into account (methane emissions, land use change, etc.) livestock account for about 18% of anthropogenic (human caused) greenhouse gas emissions. 18% is still a large number, almost twice as much as cars are responsible for worldwide' Quoted from Dana1981

For a fuller discussion see two following links:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

If everybody just cut down on meat consumption there would be a tremendous positive effect, you do not have to be Vegan/Vegetarian to reduce the demand for meat, just be selective on the types of meats and eat much less of it.

So don't go to the drive through take your family home for a meal. If you can replace some of their meals or sandwich fillings with non meat or dairy fillings a few times a week even better. What could be more convenient than a peanut butter and jam, vegemite, banana or hummus sandwich? These are much better for the environment and for the children too.

Answer 2

Let me get this straight. You go through the drive through to get dinner for you and the little ones. Oh, that is a wholesome meal. Not only are you contributing to the obesity of your children, but also to theirs and yours pitiful lack of physical action.

Good Lord.

Answer 3

I agree that its hard to get out of the car with the kids. We go through the drive thru enough, but have been going in side more often. We at least don't use the air conditioning when that times around. My husband is all for turning off the car if you're gonna sit for minute, so does that count? And we don't live in a stop and go area. We carpool with family whenever possible, but that's not very often now that we've got two kids.

I think we could try harder. But will we? That's the question...isnt it.

I like the new avatar.  And happy Saturday evening to you. Plans? Me, none. Hope you have something to do.