Microwaves produce same CO2 as a million cars

MICROWAVE ovens in Britain generate as much carbon dioxide as more than a million cars, scientists have concluded as they call on people to use the appliances more efficiently.

Scientists studied the broad environmental impact of microwaves, taking account of their manufacture, use, and end-of-life disposal.

There are around 23million microwaves in homes across the UK. The University of Manchester team, whose findings appear in the journal Science of the Total Environment, found that the ovens generated around 1.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, the equivalent of 1.3million cars.

On average, a microwave uses 573 kwh of electricity over a lifetime of eight years, which compares to a sevenwatt LED light bulb being left on continuously for almost nine years.

The study’s authors said consumers should use microwaves more efficiently by sticking to cooking instructions rather than guessing.

Dr Alejandro Gallego-schmid, the lead researcher, said: “Given that microwaves account for the largest percentage of sales of all type of ovens in the EU, it is increasingly important to start addressing their impact on resource use and end-of-life waste.”

The study found that, in 2005, 184,000 tonnes of electrical and electronic waste was produced by discarded microwaves.