Welcome to the CalcuLess (tm) Environmental Impact Analyzer, created by the Editors of The ULS (The Use Less Stuff) Report. This tool has been designed to provide you with a simplified analysis of some of the major packaging aspects contributing to environmental impact—namely: Energy Usage, Post-Consumer Solid Waste, and Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

CalcuLess can be used to compare two different packaging options (such as comparing a glass jar or a plastic bottle), or simply to gain a better understanding of a single package. As with all ULS packaging work, results are normalized against appropriate targets, such as 1000 lbs. or 1000 gallons of product.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to a variety of factors, the absolute results should only be considered to be approximate. The real value is in understanding the potential differences betwen two different alternative packages for the same product.

To account for potential inaccuracies in weights and values, differences of less than 15% between alternatives should not be considered to be significant.

We hope you enjoy the tool and that it proves useful in our shared journey towards sustainability.