Everyone who hikes and camps knows what to carry in a backpack. But have you ever given any thought to what camping equipment is made of, and where those things come from?
Pack Fabric
Nylon.
Virtually all synthetic fabrics and plastics are made from petrochemicals produced from petroleum or coal. Petroleum requires the drilling of oilwells and pumping the crude oil.More than 40% of all the petroleum products used in the U.S. are imported.Coal comes from open pit or underground mines. The U.S. is self-sufficient in coal.
Raincoat
Nylon, plastic. Petrochemicals from crude oil or coal.
Sleeping Bag
Nylon,down, or synthetic fill like Hollofil.
Down comes from geese and ducks fed with grain fertilized with petrochemical and potash-based fertilizers. The nylon shell is made from petrochemicals, as are synthetic insulating fibers.
Camera
Plastic, brass, steel, gold.
Petrochemicals,iron ore, manganese, copper and zinc ores. Gold is often used in the microprocessor of automatic cameras to make sure the connections do not fail. Gold is mined in underground or surface mines. The most gold is mined in South Africa, but Nevada is now the world's fourth largest gold producer.
Film
Plastic film, silver.
Petrochemicals, silver ore. Silver is usually a byproduct of copper and lead mining and gold recovery. The silver compound forms the light sensitive part of the film.
First aid kit
Plastics, chemicals, cotton.
The sticky bandages are made from plastics (petrochemicals) and cotton. Many of the ointments are disinfectants derived from petrochemicals in a petroleum jelly base. Sun block may contain zinc and titanium compounds.
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