Environmental choices present themselves daily. But a study by the Union of Concerned Scientists lists the following as not worth the trouble because the trade-offs are equal.
Paper vs. plastic. Paper sacks contribute to deforestation, even if they contain recycled material.
Cotton vs. synthetic clothes. Cotton clothing may cause more harm to the environment because of the heavy use of pesticides to grow cotton. The environmental choice: used clothes.
Spray cans and plastic-foam cups. They no longer use ozone depleting chemicals. "You should not feel guilty to spray away," say the UCS.