Act14_S3_Science_Banana and Egg production by Selin Uyar

1. Production (farming and cultivating)

uyase117 — 2024-02-08 13:18:09 UTC

As we all know, bananas are one of the most popular fruits, available at pretty much any supermarket. Infact, we eat more than 100 billion of them worldwide per year. Bananas are grown in big banana plantations in more than 135 countries, including nations in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. It takes around 9-18 months for the bananas to fully develop. The banana branches are wrapped in plastic to defend against insects. The demand on banana consumption worldwide has resulted in the clearance of forests, which has caused an increase of carbon in the atmosphere, a loss of natural habitats, and climate change. This has had a significant impact on the environment.
Environmental impact percentage: 61.2%

2. Processing

uyase117 — 2024-02-08 15:05:37 UTC

After the bananas are fully developed, workers cut the banana branches down and carry the bundles on top of padded barriers to avoid bruising. The bundles are then hooked onto a cable system which takes them to the packaging facility. In the packaging facility, bananas are inspected and chopped into clusters. Then, they are washed and put in a production line, where the stickers are put on. During the washing process, water contamination can occur from improper wastewater treatment. For example, this has happened in the past with Chlordecone. Chlordecone was a chemical used in French territories in Central/South America in Martinique and Guadeloupe. It was used to protect against banana weevils, which are an insect that damages the plantations. There was a scandal because it contaminated soil & rivers, livestock, fish and root veggies, and people. Chlordecone resulted in cancer, hepatitis, severe epilepsy and premature births in people and was later banned from use in the French territories. Not only did this chemical have horrible repercussions for the environment, but also for people.

3. Distribution

uyase117 — 2024-02-08 15:11:17 UTC

The clusters are put into boxes and later loaded to a truck. The transportation of the bananas increases the environmental impact of this food by adding on to pollution and greenhouse gases.The truck takes them to a port and a cargo ship or a plane takes them, kilometres away, to be unloaded onto another truck, which takes the bananas to a ripening room. Transportation via plane contributes more to climate change than with ocean shipping with cargo ships.

Environmental Impact Percentage: 35.9%

uyase117 — 2024-02-08 15:13:26 UTC

The bananas are still green by this stage. The time it takes for the bananas to ripen could take from 96+ hours. In the ripening room, there is a pump which releases humid air and a non-toxic gas called "ethylene". This helps the bananas to ripen faster. Next, the bananas are delivered to supermarkets and placed on display. The ripening

uyase117 — 2024-02-08 15:14:17 UTC

Bananas are a very popular fruit. When buying bananas, the consumer will check the colour of the cluster of bananas, pay for them and drive home.

4. Consumption (preparation, consumption)

uyase117 — 2024-02-08 15:15:06 UTC

They will open the banana, usually from the stem, and take bites vertically. Bananas are rich in carbohydrates, dietary fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and vitamin B6.
Environmental Impact Percentage: 2.8%

5. Waste disposal (disposing of packaging and food waste)

uyase117 — 2024-02-08 15:15:25 UTC

If the banana cluster came with a plastic wrap, the consumer will throw it away in the trash, along with the banana peel. The peel of the banana can also be used in composting machines. Trash disposal in landfills increases the emissions of greenhouse gases, such as methane.

1. Production (farming and cultivating)

uyase117 — 2024-02-10 18:04:16 UTC

Eggs are laid by hens as young as 19 weeks old in hen houses. The ventilation conditions, temperature, humidity and lighting are controlled to promote the laying process. The chickens eat grains with soya beans for protein, minerals and vitamins (specifically calcium to make the eggshells stronger). The hens also drink enough water. With conditions like this, these hens lay around 300 eggs per year. Due to the large resource consumption involved in the production of eggs, there may be environmental problems like water pollution, destruction of ecosystems, soil erosion, and increased greenhouse gas emissions.

Environmental Impact Percentage: 83.6%

2. Processing (harvesting)

uyase117 — 2024-02-10 18:19:15 UTC

After hens lay eggs, the floor of their cages moves the eggs to conveyor belts and into the packing room. In the packaging room, the eggs are cleaned and disinfected. They are moved onto plastic trays and into a cold room.

uyase117 — 2024-02-10 18:20:24 UTC

In the packaging room, the eggs are washed. They are moved onto plastic trays and into a cold room. In the cold room, the temperatures are controlled to maintain the quality and freshness of the eggs. The cold rooms use up energy, mainly taken from non-renewable sources. A refridgerated truck transfers the plastic trays to a grading station to ensure the eggs are qualified to be sold. A machine will transport the eggs to a cleaning station where they will be scrubbed and disinfected at 45 degreees. Water pollution from incorrect wastewater disposal. The eggs are put on a tray overlooked by bright light for the workers to perform a visual inspection to remove cracked eggs.

uyase117 — 2024-02-10 18:28:14 UTC

Additionally, multiple cameras will check the interior and exterior of the eggs. Acoustic machines will bang on the eggshells to determine the quality of their eggshells. More machines sort the eggs with cracked shells and classify them by size.

uyase117 — 2024-02-10 18:28:58 UTC

Next, the eggs are stamped by a machine and transported to a packing machine where they are placed in an egg carton. The packaging, made from plastic or pulp (made from wood fibres and "paper") contributes to waste and/or pollution.

Environmental Impact Percentage: 2%

3. Distribution (transporting, packaging, etc.)

uyase117 — 2024-02-10 18:30:04 UTC

Distribution of eggs happens by being shipped in (refridgerated) trucks to supermarkets to be put on display. The transportation of the cartons increases air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Environmental Impact Percentage: 3%

uyase117 — 2024-02-10 18:31:01 UTC

From supermarkets, the consumer will open the carton to inspect any cracks, pay for their groceries and head home. Eggs in the supermarkets usually last between 3-5 weeks.

4. Consumption (preparation, consumption)

uyase117 — 2024-02-10 18:32:53 UTC

There are many ways to eat eggs, but a basic method is to boil eggs, ususally for 6-12 minutes. After boiling eggs, the consumers should strain the water and put the eggs in cold water. Next, the consumer will peel the shell of the egg and eat it, with their hands or with a spoon. Eggs are a great source of high-quality protein, calcium, vitamins (such as B12, folate, and riboflavin, one of the 8 B vitamins; the natural form of vitamin B9), minerals (such as iron and phosporus), and healthy fats.

Environmental Impact Percentage: 7.6%

5. Waste disposal (disposing of packaging and food waste)

uyase117 — 2024-02-10 18:34:11 UTC

The customer will throw the shell of the egg into the trash and with the carton (made from cardboard or plastic), they will sort it into the appropriate trash bin. The disposal of waste of eggshells and cartons have a negative impact on the environment.