A new study released by the University of Manchester claims that microwave usage across the EU alone emits as much carbon dioxide as nearly seven million cars. The study used life cycle assessment (LCA) to estimate the impacts of microwaves, taking into account their manufacture, use and end-of-life waste management and found that they emit 7.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, equivalent to the annual emissions of 6.8 million cars.
The research team investigated different environmental factors, including climate change, depletion of natural resources and ecological toxicity in the first ever comprehensive study of the environmental impacts of microwaves. The group concluded that efforts to reduce consumption should focus on improving consumer awareness and behaviour to use appliances more efficiently.