Terrible Disposable Fridge
February 6th, 2006
This fridge was described as a “fantastic and funky solution for refrigeration in temporary living spaces”. I beg to differ. Made from PVC (poly-vinyl chloride) and styrofoam (polystyrene), it is hard to recycle and inefficient. Even worse, it seems to be designed to throw away. Greenpeace says:
From its manufacture to its disposal, PVC emits toxic compounds. During the manufacture of the building block ingredients of PVC (such as vinyl chloride monomer) dioxin and other persistent pollutants are emitted into the air, water and land, which present both acute and chronic health hazards. Read more…
I much prefer “Phytoslim”, by the same design company, Promise Design: wall-mounted panels of plant substrate. Perhaps impractical (watering, anyone?) but certainly better for air quality.
Link to fridge.
Link to wall-mounted plants.
Related Posts: Packing for Recyclability
Popularity: 12% [?]
February 7th, 2006 at 4:17 pm
two sides to every story… PVC isn’t as bad as everyone thinks… often less fossil fuels are used for the production of existing products vs. coming up with new products that are worse on the environment.
why are plasticized vinyl devices used to collect and store blood if they pose such a threat to something as important as keeping the spread of infectious diseases at bay?
vinyl is used in hospitals because it prohibits the spread of germs and is often used for kids who have allergies to natural fibers which collect dust mites…
http://www.vinylbydesign.com/site/page.asp?TRACKID=&VID=1&CID=97&DID=107
where to recycle vinyl
http://www.vinylinfo.org/recycling/index.html
February 7th, 2006 at 5:52 pm
Hmm – why are you tracking the link to vinylbydesign.com? Is it related to the fact that the site is run by a vinyl trade association, also your second link? From the site:
The Vinyl Institute, Inc. (“VI”) owns and operates this site and is a U.S. trade association representing the leading manufacturers of vinyl, vinyl chloride monomer, vinyl additives and modifiers, and vinyl packaging materials. Founded in 1982, the Institute has a dual charter to promote and protect the industry and the markets it serves.
Your case would be stronger if you identified yourself.
I would advise those with questions to peruse the polyvinyl chloride article on Wikipedia, which is a well-balanced discussion of the safety and environmental questions associated with vinyl. Link
February 7th, 2006 at 6:55 pm
“...often less fossil fuels are used for the production of existing products vs. coming up with new products…”
I find the arguement “we may do a little harm to do a whole lot of good, so let’s not do it,” a poor excuse for keeping vinyl or anything else and somewhat of an empty threat to scientific and technological progress.
February 8th, 2006 at 10:18 am
I’d like to invite all our readers to chime in on this discussion. We’ve been looking for alternatives to vinyl that meet both engineering and financial requirements, but have yet to find one. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Also, FYI, there’s a frequently referenced documentary called Blue Vinyl that you all might want to check out if you haven’t already.
February 8th, 2006 at 2:28 pm
Mike, this vinyl you’re talking about is for inflatable products, right?
February 8th, 2006 at 11:14 pm
found this… very helpful…
http://www.healthybuilding.net/pvc/PVCFreeAlts.html
February 9th, 2006 at 8:09 am
Wow, thanks! the most interesting to me is this suggestion:
PEVA – Ikea – (50% EVA, 50% PE)
Muji makes an envelope of this material, and I was concerned when I saw vinyl as an ingredient, but apparently it’s a no-chlorine PVC alternative. But is it recyclable?
More on this later.
February 9th, 2006 at 8:11 am
Also found this great comparison of non-chlorinated vinyls. Very useful!
http://www.healthybuilding.net/pvc/SortingOutVinyls.html
February 9th, 2006 at 8:19 am
And here’s an IKEA shower curtain in PEVA, apparently a common choice of material in shower curtains and childrens’ toys:
Link
November 24th, 2006 at 9:47 am
I didnt find thing that i need…
google
March 6th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
It is too true that our industry fosters newer ways to quickly produce must have disposable items that leave behind bioaccumulative toxins like dioxin. Architects and designers are beginning to understand this problem, but big business is still too powerfull.