How do I test which is the most environmentally safe?

Question

People litter and no matter what, there's always gonna be someone that still does it.

Containers for drinks are among the most littered objects. These can come in a variety of things, glass bottles, plastic bottles, cans, pouches, and boxes.

Whats an experiment I can setup to test which is the safest for the environment since people litter all the time?

Answer 1

Again  can  we  please  stick  to  mining  issues in  NS?

We  are  not  here  to  discuse  litter.

Litter  and  garbage  are a  big  problem  but not  as  big  as  mining  in  NS.

Can  we  stick to  the  issue  of  mining?

Answer 2

Any test you would do would take a looong time.  Everything except cans and glass contain some plastic and are not biodegradeable.  Cans and glass don't biodegrade either but glass will eventually break down and the material itself is inert.   Metal will eventually oxidize.  So glass is probably the least environmentally damaging followed by metal - but metal if there is a lot of it will lead to heavy metal contamination - one can is not a lot though.  And these containers (along with plastic bottles) get recycled, the pouches and juice boxes don't.

Answer 3

If you are sincere in your effort to find the truth about this particular problem,  I would find a container for each type,  label it in large letters,  and the results should be conclusive.....and maybe messy too!          God Bless America...