Screwing Around (Facts)
Chopsticks are traditionally used with (amongst others) Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Laotian, Thai, Burmish cuisines. It is such a popular eating utensil in Asia that up to 130 million pairs of chopsticks, and equivalent of 100 acres of trees, are used every day.
![Chopsticks](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_25MEmr8qMmc/SdxDQ-KgxwI/AAAAAAAAAIA/iSAA-NaDPnk/s320/chop.jpg)
The wooden version of this widely used eating utensil often seen in restaurants and food courts, however, has a very negative impact on the world and health.
So how is a pair of take-out chopsticks made (credit)?
1. Bamboo trees cut
2. Production in central Vietnam
![VT](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_25MEmr8qMmc/Sdw_1LlNq-I/AAAAAAAAAHw/eRyx7rcWeVI/s320/vietnam.jpg)
3. Bleaching
![Bleach](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_25MEmr8qMmc/Sdw_PhL4vFI/AAAAAAAAAHg/_PnP-ckg9R4/s320/3+bleach.jpg)
4. Drying
![dry](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_25MEmr8qMmc/Sdw_Fpi2E7I/AAAAAAAAAHY/C1OfWZ0ad8o/s320/5drying.jpg)
5. Packing
6. Shipping
7. Wrapping
Now after the consumers use the chopsticks in restaurants, here is what happens:
![truck](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_25MEmr8qMmc/Sdwzaz7LfVI/AAAAAAAAAGA/kzOxhd-vT4k/s320/chopstick+waste.jpg)
To conserve money and “resources”, some people in China even resort to picking out thicker pairs of bamboo chopsticks and shaving off the outer sides to prepare for repackaging.
![Disposable Chopsticks](http://shanghaiist.com/attachments/shanghailaine/disposable_chopsticks.jpg)
What other harmful effects do disposable chopsticks cause?
– factor to deforestation & desertification in China (causes landslides and floods)
– because bamboo can be expensive, chopsticks are often made from birch, a tree that takes 30 – 40 years to mature
So, let’s screw around, on the go, wherever we go.
One last video here showcasing reusable chopsticks that can be bought at Tzu Chi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnpVcL5FpbE