Bioplastics News: bio-feedstocks, compostable and biodegradable

Experts predict boom in conventional resins made from bio-feedstocks

While materials like polylactic acid currently get most of the attention, bioplastics experts believe that eventually the majority of bio-based resins will be conventional resins -- such as polyethylene and polypropylene -- made from renewable resources rather than from petroleum.

“The next generation of bio-plastic resins is already coming,” said Jim Lunt of Jim Lunt & Associates LLC in Wayzata, Minn. “There is increasing interest and development in making both existing and new monomers from renewable resources. We are transitioning from oil-based to renewable feedstocks.”

P&G to use Braskem's bioplastic

After Frito Lay's and Coca-Cola's move to use bioplastic, this news from Procter & Gamble (P&G) is another big boost to the bioplastic industry.

P&G said today that it will use sugarcane-based high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic made by Braskem into some of its packaging on its Pantene Pro-V, Covergirl and Max Factor brands. Pilot products will be rolled out globally over the next two years with first commercial products expected on the shelf in 2011.

Does it make sense to use biodegradable, compostable plastics?

Some ten years ago the packaging industry started to attract consumer’s attention for biodegradable plastics, and, although still in its infancy, biodegradable plastics continue to enjoy a growing interest with the public at large.

Compostability is not synonymous with biodegradability, a distinction that regulations make clear. But who knows?

While the industry is greenwashing its image in regard to the consumer, the same consumer is left with the fictional idea that he is helping to save the environment by buying products in so-called biodegradable, compostable, packages.

And in the meantime? Why use and promote biodegradable and compostable packaging material when it all ends up in landfills or incinerators. Increasing usage of biodegradable films is in conflict with ‘separation-at-source’ initiatives. Consumers are confused when it comes to separating biodegradable, compostable and recyclable plastics.

Spot-Pak: A smart balance between sustainability and cost savings

By replacing corrugated shippers with corrugated pads plus shrink film, the firm behind the popular Smart Balance brand makes measurable gains on at least two fronts.

 

Spot-Pak will achieve dramatic sustainability gains vs. traditional corrugated shippers. For starters, it reduces the weight of the secondary packaging for a 12-count multipack from .046 to .024 lb. Other advantages include these: 

• 975 tons less packaging material to landfill or recycle

• 723 tons less greenhouse gas emissions

• 24.6 million megajoules less total energy consumption

• Because the Spot-Pak shipper cubes out better (15 multipacks per pallet layer instead of 13 corrugated cases), 64 fewer truckloads per year will be required to transport the same amount of product

Cost savings are significant, too. Because the Spot-Pak system replaces a manual case packing operation, there are labor savings to be had. And on the materials side, the Spot-Pak format requires considerably less corrugated. Newly added to the cost-of-materials picture, of course, is the shrink film that is applied over each Spot-Pak. But even so, the amount of money paid for packaging materials is significantly less than it used to be. Though GFA prefers not to quantify precisely what that savings is, Delkor in its promotional materials and on its Web site routinely speaks of a 50% savings being more or less typical.

 

Read more…

Beverage Packaging News: Recycling, Vitaminwater and sustainability

Recycling not always lowest-carbon option for PET bottles

For countries with adequate space and little recycling infrastructure, disposing of bottles in landfill generates a lower carbon footprint than recycling or incineration. SRI Consulting (SRIC) has introduced “PET’s Carbon Footprint: To Recycle or Not To Recycle,” an independent evaluation of the carbon footprint of PET bottles with an analysis of secondary packaging from cradle to grave and from production of raw materials through to disposal.

Coca-Cola: The Dark Side of Vitaminwater

Now here's something you wouldn't expect. Coca-Cola is being sued by a non-profit public interest group, on the grounds that the company's vitaminwater products make unwarranted health claims. No surprise there. But how do you think the company is defending itself?

In a staggering feat of twisted logic, lawyers for Coca-Cola are defending the lawsuit by asserting that "no consumer could reasonably be misled into thinking vitaminwater was a healthy beverage."

94% of Americans concerned about eco-effects of beverage purchases

A recent BeveragePulse.com report found that 94% of Americans are concerned about the long-term effects that their packaged beverage purchases and consumption have on the environment.

The free study, by Concept Catalysts and iModerate Research Technologies, also shows that recycling was cited frequently (45%) as the most important environmental concern for packaged beverages. Health concerns and economic issues also contribute to recent category declines in packaged beverage purchases.

The use of wax-alternative boxes increased 105%

From 2003 to 2009, the use of wax-alternative boxes increased 105%, according to the Elk Grove Village, Ill.-based Corrugated Packaging Alliance.

Dwight Schmidt, executive director of the alliance, said July 9 that he expects the percentage to keep climbing.

“We have more documented conversions and more retailers specifying wax-free recyclable packaging than ever before,” Schmidt said.

“Several notable retailers are specifying that they want wax-alternative boxes so they can recycle it,” Schmidt said. “It has an effect on their sustainability efforts and their carbon footprint, but it also has a tremendous effect on their bottom line.”

Most waxed boxes can’t be recycled, and Schmidt said retailers pay $70 to $150 per ton tipping fees to dispose of them.

Wax-alternative boxes, however, typically can be recycled and contribute to the money retailers receive for recycling the massive amount of corrugated containers that come through their doors.

Schmidt said July 9 that the going rate for old corrugated containers was $115 a ton, and it has been as high as $200 a ton.

“That’s a significant revenue stream for a retailer,” he said, “and we get the boxes back to recycle.”

Schmidt said there still is plenty of waxed packaging in the supply chain. Part of the problem, he said, is that restaurants — which handle lower volumes of product and packaging at individual locations than retail stores — have less incentive to change.

“When a grower-shipper changes their retail packaging to wax alternatives, we encourage them to change all their packaging,” Schmidt said.

Read more…

Malt-O-Meal: Bag the Box, 75% less packaging, 100% “funny”

Bag the Box: funny and sustainable. I like it

FDA to kick off poisons to preserve our children

According to the article on website Eye On FDA, members of congress Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Ed Markey (D-MA) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) have proposed The Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010 (H.R.5786). This sweeping proposal would give the FDA new authority to regulate everything from lotions and lipsticks to deodorants and fragrances. The $50 billion cosmetics industry, one of the least regulated markets, uses roughly 12,500 unique chemical ingredients in personal care products—the vast majority of which have never been assessed for safety by any publicly accountable body, says Eye on FDA. Read More...

After what happened to my 3 year old son this week after taking his shower with Pampers Kandoo BrightFoam Body Wash, Magic Melon Scent, full of poisons: Paraben, phenoxyethanol and DMDM hydantoin, a formaldehyde donor in aqueous media, I’m really happy with this news. It is time to kick off poisons from cosmetics and personal care.

The Story of Cosmetics, released on July 21st, 2010, examines the pervasive use of toxic chemicals in our everyday personal care products, from lipstick to baby shampoo. Produced with Free Range Studios and hosted by Annie Leonard, the seven-minute film by The Story of Stuff Project reveals the implications for consumer and worker health and the environment, and outlines ways we can move the industry away from hazardous chemicals and towards safer alternatives. The film concludes with a call for viewers to support legislation aimed at ensuring the safety of cosmetics and personal care products.

Derrière le bel emballage, un poison pour nos enfants

Il y’a quelques semaines, une étude publiée dans le journal Pediatrics soulignait l'influence des héros imaginaires apostés sur les emballages comme « déclencheur » d’achat sur les enfants.

Notre petite famille en a récemment fait l’expérience et voilà le résultat.

Une seule application, et dans une zone très localisée, en moins de 12h a causé cette réaction allergique chez mon fils de 3 ans. Ce matin c'est encore pire.

Le présumé coupable, ces 2 beaux flacons.

Il s’agit d’un shampoing et d’un savon pour le bain de Kandoo, une gamme de la marque pampers, dont la mascotte est une grenouille.

Je regarde la liste des ingrédients, et la belle surprise, un véritable cocktail de produits chimiques : Paraben, phenoxyethanol, et le fameux DMDM hydantoin, un libérateur de formaldéhyde.

En 2009, une association de consommateurs américains avait déjà tiré la sonnette d'alarme sur des dizaines de marques de produits de toilette pour bébés contenant des produits cancérigènes. Le savon moussant pour les mains Pampers Kandoo figure sur cette liste, qui, selon les tests, contient suffisamment de Formaldéhyde pour provoquer une réaction allergique cutanée.

Qu’attend Pampers pour se débarrasser de ces poisons?

Le rôle des autorités sanitaires n’est-il pas en priorité de protéger la santé de nos enfants?

Ottawa débloque 100 millions pour l'industrie forestière

L'industrie forestière reçoit un autre coup de pouce d'Ottawa: 100 millions$ sur quatre ans pour aider les entreprises canadiennes à investir dans de nouvelles technologies de production.

Cet argent vise ultimement à soutenir les entreprises à développer des biocarburants et des produits forestiers non traditionnels comme des bioplastiques, des produits biochimiques ainsi que de nouveaux matériaux de construction comme les panneaux composites.

Lire la suite…

Bonne nouvelle pour une industrie qui en arrache. Toutefois, même si les produits dits non traditionnels comme les bioplastiques sont des niches intéressantes, les volumes concernés pour l’instant ne sont certainement pas assez conséquent pour sortir l’industrie de l’ornière. De plus, produire des bioplastiques 2ème génération à partir de la cellulose ou des résidus lignocellulosiques, demandera beaucoup de temps avant de devenir une réalité industrielle rentable.

En revanche, les emballages à base de papier présentent un créneau porteur. Éco-responsables et polyvalents, ces emballages peuvent rivaliser avec ceux faits en pétro-plastiques. On voit de plus en plus d’emballages en plastique qui ont l’allure du papier. Pourquoi ne pas oser la transition et ajouter des fonctionnalités au papier. C’est un grand marché à conquérir…

Food Packaging: U.S. regulators lack data on health risks of most chemicals

Federal regulators, who are charged with ensuring the safety of food and consumer products, are in the dark about the suspected chemical, 2-methylnaphthalene. The Food and Drug Administration has no scientific data on its impact on human health. The Environmental Protection Agency also lacks basic health and safety data for 2-methylnaphthalene -- even though the EPA has been seeking that information from the chemical industry for 16 years.

Because the FDA does not know anything about the toxicity of 2-methylnaphthalene, the agency set its limit based on what it knows about the toxic effects of similar chemicals, Cheeseman said.

He added that the FDA does not know what caused the Kellogg contamination, how much 2-methylnaphthalene might have migrated into the cereals or if it was the only contaminant. The agency did not perform its own tests on the cereals.

Roberta Wagner of the FDA's office of regulatory affairs said Kellogg destroyed most of the tainted liners before it contacted the agency and announced a recall.

"Basically, Kellogg's investigated the situation before they made the decision to do the recall," Wagner said. "They did their own testing." She said the agency continues to investigate.

The company submitted a copy of its health risk assessment to the FDA, but neither Kellogg nor the agency would release it.

Cheeseman said it is unusual for contaminants to migrate from packaging into foods.

Read full paper: Washington Post

Paper-based Packaging: Sustainability and Functionality

I have just created a LinkedIn group entitled: PAPER-BASED PACKAGING, a group dedicated to all professionals within the Packaging and Pulp & Paper Industries.

  

Sustainability and food safety and are the driving forces behind innovation in food packaging. Increases in functionality, improvements in food safety, economics and meeting environmental and legislative measures are pushing packaging actors to “Think outside the box”. Paper-based packaging provides smart, versatile and responsible packaging solutions for product manufacturers, retailers, and consumers.
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A bright future may be anticipated for sustainable, high-performance barrier and smart paper-based packaging:

1. Innovative paper-based packaging offers environmental, convenience, food safety and preservation and economics benefits for both customers and packaging actors.
2. Coating and lamination: adds functionality to sustainable paper-based packaging.
3. Biodegradable, smart and active barrier : Developments of speciality paper and paperboard through innovation

Join the discussion to share and brainstorm latest news, trends and innovation in Paper-based packaging

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