I was doing a fire lighting session recently to a couple who run a very environmentally friendly business. I was talking through the firesteel when the question was asked about how one of those impacts the resources of the planet.
I had explained that the rods are made from a mix of metals, which prompted an interesting discussion about all sorts of things and made me think the question through a bit. Here is what I have so far.
According to the makers of the Swedish LMF steel, it is good for 12000 strikes. If we assume that one match equals one firesteel strike then the comparison goes like this:
Average contents of 1 box of Vestas = 85
Therefore to get 12000 strike equivalents you need 12000/85 = 140 boxes of matches.
140 boxes of matches = 1680 grams ( 1 box = 12 grams )
1 LMF steel = 50 grams shipping weight
If you apply a factor of 2 LMF steels fitting the space of 1 matchbox then to ship the same equivalent firepower of matches (Vestas are made in Sweden now from Aspen) from the same departure port takes up 68 times more space and is 34 times heavier ( 1680 / 50 ). Even if you say 1 LMF = 1 matchbox then the numbers are interesting.
To further analyse it, you can get into the sourcing and processing of the sulphur and phosphorous on the matches, along with transporting it to the factory, as well as the processing of the tree from the point it is felled.
The upshot is that a seemingly green process (wooden matches from sustainable forest) still has a hefty footprint when you consider the entire chain from felling to striking.
Maybe I should get out more...
I had explained that the rods are made from a mix of metals, which prompted an interesting discussion about all sorts of things and made me think the question through a bit. Here is what I have so far.
According to the makers of the Swedish LMF steel, it is good for 12000 strikes. If we assume that one match equals one firesteel strike then the comparison goes like this:
Average contents of 1 box of Vestas = 85
Therefore to get 12000 strike equivalents you need 12000/85 = 140 boxes of matches.
140 boxes of matches = 1680 grams ( 1 box = 12 grams )
1 LMF steel = 50 grams shipping weight
If you apply a factor of 2 LMF steels fitting the space of 1 matchbox then to ship the same equivalent firepower of matches (Vestas are made in Sweden now from Aspen) from the same departure port takes up 68 times more space and is 34 times heavier ( 1680 / 50 ). Even if you say 1 LMF = 1 matchbox then the numbers are interesting.
To further analyse it, you can get into the sourcing and processing of the sulphur and phosphorous on the matches, along with transporting it to the factory, as well as the processing of the tree from the point it is felled.
The upshot is that a seemingly green process (wooden matches from sustainable forest) still has a hefty footprint when you consider the entire chain from felling to striking.
Maybe I should get out more...