Sunday, October 10, 2010
Sustainable packaging: Recycling of PET bottles not always lowest-carbon option, says new report
Packaging Digest, 8/9/2010 1:06:39 PM
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.
Recycling programs using curb-side collection typically displace less than 50% of new PET (polyethylene terephthalate). Community programs with plastic bottle take-back, mandated separate collection, or deposits on bottles tend to report much higher displacement rates. For regions that already have a recycling infrastructure, the aim should be to boost recycled PET (rPET) displacement of virgin PET (vPET) significantly above 50%.
Mike Arné, Assistant Director, SRIC’s Carbon Footprint Initiative, commented, “The key to this is not in raising collection rates, but in improving yields, especially in sorting and to a lesser extent in reprocessing. For countries without a recycling infrastructure, the best choice may well be to landfill bottles.”
The report finds:
* Shipping distances are not footprint critical – Contrary to some popular belief the common practice of shipping baled PET bottles to China for recycling does not significantly affect the footprint
* Incineration creates the highest footprint – Burning used bottles in waste incinerators converts them largely to the greenhouse-gas carbon dioxide, which then goes straight into the atmosphere. This footprint debit can be reduced somewhat by generating power and heat from the incinerator, but the net effect is still carbon positive.
* PET recyclate has a lower footprint than new virgin PET – Manufacturers making product from recycled PET – such as straps, films and fibers – should be able to claim that they are lower-carbon than alternatives made from new PET.
SOURCE: SRI Consulting
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.
Recycling programs using curb-side collection typically displace less than 50% of new PET (polyethylene terephthalate). Community programs with plastic bottle take-back, mandated separate collection, or deposits on bottles tend to report much higher displacement rates. For regions that already have a recycling infrastructure, the aim should be to boost recycled PET (rPET) displacement of virgin PET (vPET) significantly above 50%.
Mike Arné, Assistant Director, SRIC’s Carbon Footprint Initiative, commented, “The key to this is not in raising collection rates, but in improving yields, especially in sorting and to a lesser extent in reprocessing. For countries without a recycling infrastructure, the best choice may well be to landfill bottles.”
The report finds:
* Shipping distances are not footprint critical – Contrary to some popular belief the common practice of shipping baled PET bottles to China for recycling does not significantly affect the footprint
* Incineration creates the highest footprint – Burning used bottles in waste incinerators converts them largely to the greenhouse-gas carbon dioxide, which then goes straight into the atmosphere. This footprint debit can be reduced somewhat by generating power and heat from the incinerator, but the net effect is still carbon positive.
* PET recyclate has a lower footprint than new virgin PET – Manufacturers making product from recycled PET – such as straps, films and fibers – should be able to claim that they are lower-carbon than alternatives made from new PET.
SOURCE: SRI Consulting
FTC close to issuing new ‘Green Guides'
John Kalkowski -- Packaging Digest, 9/1/2010 3:03:00 PM
It has been 12 years since the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued its last set of "Green Guidelines," which the federal agency uses to guide enforcement of existing laws covering how companies can make claims regarding the environmental friendliness of their products.
Now, after nearly three years of public input, it appears the agency is on the verge of releasing a revised set of guidelines, perhaps during the month of September, according to a recent article in Advertising Age magazine. Mitch Katz, senior public affairs specialist, says the FTC has informally told people the agency expects to issue the guidelines by yea rend, but he wouldn't speculate on an exact release date.
The FTC is revamping the rules to be more representative of the current green market and the language that producers, retailers and consumers are using.
Recent articles show that "natural" and "environmentally friendly" messages resonate with consumers, as thousands of new products rely on these attributes in both product and packaging marketing to help boost sales. Katz says he expects the revamped protocols to provide guidance and clarity on new sustainability terms that weren't even used when the original guidelines were put in place.
Better definitions sought
It appears the industry wants stringent guidelines that remove ambiguities. This is important because local and state jurisdictions increasingly rely on the Green Guides for direction on enforcement, even though the FTC does not pre-empt regulation of environmental claims by individual states.
Only 45 complaints have been brought under the guides since their inception. FTC Director David Vladeck has been quoted as saying that tougher enforcement and guidelines are a major part of the Commission's agenda.
Many marketers skate dangerously close to what might be considered misleading or even false advertising. A study done by TerraChoice Environmental Marketing finds that 99 percent of 1,018 "green" advertising claims for consumer products could be misleading.
Last year, the FTC told Packaging Digest that it wants any new guidelines to be "done right." After the series of public workshops, the commission's staff was charged with preparing prepare recommendations to the five commissioners who make the ultimate decision. When the new guidelines are published, they likely will be subject to a final round of public comment before a final decision is made.
The new set of Green Guides could impact the marketing message of many companies who use sustainability to tout the value of their products.
Advertising Age quotes Christopher Cole, an advertising-law specialist with law firm Manatt Phelps & Phillips in Washington, as saying the guides could render many of the more than 300 environmental seals of approval and certifications now used on packaging and products largely useless and possibly in violation of FTC standards. They could also influence efforts by retailers such as Walmart to institute a sustainability-rating system for products.
New guidelines may tighten standards
The guides are expected to tighten standards for packaging claims such as "recyclable" or "biodegradable." Advertising Age also says the guides may attempt to define such legally and linguistically vague terms as "sustainability" or tackle the central issue of many "greenwashing" controversies-trying to define how far companies can go in portraying themselves as "green" in advertising when they or their products also have detrimental environmental impact
It has been 12 years since the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued its last set of "Green Guidelines," which the federal agency uses to guide enforcement of existing laws covering how companies can make claims regarding the environmental friendliness of their products.
Now, after nearly three years of public input, it appears the agency is on the verge of releasing a revised set of guidelines, perhaps during the month of September, according to a recent article in Advertising Age magazine. Mitch Katz, senior public affairs specialist, says the FTC has informally told people the agency expects to issue the guidelines by yea rend, but he wouldn't speculate on an exact release date.
The FTC is revamping the rules to be more representative of the current green market and the language that producers, retailers and consumers are using.
Recent articles show that "natural" and "environmentally friendly" messages resonate with consumers, as thousands of new products rely on these attributes in both product and packaging marketing to help boost sales. Katz says he expects the revamped protocols to provide guidance and clarity on new sustainability terms that weren't even used when the original guidelines were put in place.
Better definitions sought
It appears the industry wants stringent guidelines that remove ambiguities. This is important because local and state jurisdictions increasingly rely on the Green Guides for direction on enforcement, even though the FTC does not pre-empt regulation of environmental claims by individual states.
Only 45 complaints have been brought under the guides since their inception. FTC Director David Vladeck has been quoted as saying that tougher enforcement and guidelines are a major part of the Commission's agenda.
Many marketers skate dangerously close to what might be considered misleading or even false advertising. A study done by TerraChoice Environmental Marketing finds that 99 percent of 1,018 "green" advertising claims for consumer products could be misleading.
Last year, the FTC told Packaging Digest that it wants any new guidelines to be "done right." After the series of public workshops, the commission's staff was charged with preparing prepare recommendations to the five commissioners who make the ultimate decision. When the new guidelines are published, they likely will be subject to a final round of public comment before a final decision is made.
The new set of Green Guides could impact the marketing message of many companies who use sustainability to tout the value of their products.
Advertising Age quotes Christopher Cole, an advertising-law specialist with law firm Manatt Phelps & Phillips in Washington, as saying the guides could render many of the more than 300 environmental seals of approval and certifications now used on packaging and products largely useless and possibly in violation of FTC standards. They could also influence efforts by retailers such as Walmart to institute a sustainability-rating system for products.
New guidelines may tighten standards
The guides are expected to tighten standards for packaging claims such as "recyclable" or "biodegradable." Advertising Age also says the guides may attempt to define such legally and linguistically vague terms as "sustainability" or tackle the central issue of many "greenwashing" controversies-trying to define how far companies can go in portraying themselves as "green" in advertising when they or their products also have detrimental environmental impact
Friday, October 1, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Beverage packaging: Winn-Dixie launches NFL’s first co-branded bottled water
-- Packaging Digest, 9/10/2010 12:06:26 PM
Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. and the Jacksonville Jaguars announced the launch of the NFL’s first co-branded bottled water. Sporting the Jaguars’ team logo on a teal label, the “official bottled water of the Jags” will be the only water sold at EverBank Field and is available in all Winn-Dixie and SaveRite stores in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia.
“As the official grocery store of the Jaguars, Winn-Dixie is proud to provide football fans with access to exclusive products and programs that enhance the NFL game day experience,” said Dan Portnoy, Winn-Dixie’s chief marketing and merchandising officer. “We are excited to introduce this locally produced product and think it’s an excellent way for Jaguars fans to show their team spirit – both in the stadium and around Jacksonville.”
Bottled in Silver Springs, Fla., Winn-Dixie/Jaguars bottled water is available in 24 packs of 16-ounce bottles for $3.99 in stores. It will be sold in 24-ounce bottles for $3 inside the stadium, a price that is $1 less than the bottled water sold in previous seasons.
The water comes from the deepest source of drinking water in the Southeast, the Floridian Aquifer, and is bottled under certified kosher standards. The bottles are recyclable and use less plastic than most national brands, making them 50 percent lighter, reducing the amount of plastic in the environment.
“Winn-Dixie’s sponsorship continues to provide us the support we need throughout the season,” said Wayne Weaver, chairman and CEO of the Jacksonville Jaguars. “Winn-Dixie plays a vital role in making each home game a great experience for our team and our fans, and we look forward to the season ahead of us.”
SOURCE: Winn-Dixie
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Do corporations really want to go Green?
U.S. consumers and Fortune 1000 executives skeptical about corporate commitment to sustainability
Packaging Digest
U.S. consumers and Fortune 1000 executives doubt there is widespread commitment to “go green” among corporate America, according to the 2010 Gibbs & Soell Sense & Sustainability Study released today.
The study was conducted online in July 2010 by Harris Interactive among 2,605 U.S. adults and 304 Fortune 1000 executives on behalf of Gibbs & Soell, a global independent public relations firm with communications expertise in advanced manufacturing, energy, greentech, and sustainable industries. Key findings include the following:
* Corporate America has embarked on its journey toward sustainability, but still draws public skepticism. Only 29% of executives and 16% of consumers believe that a majority of businesses (“most,” “almost all,” or “all”) are committed to “going green” – defined as “improving the health of the environment by implementing more sustainable business practices, and/or offering environmentally-friendly products or services.” Many executives (54%) and consumers (48%) believe only “some” businesses are committed to “going green.”
* Financial inefficiency, market reluctance and unclear measurement are impeding the path to corporate sustainability. Executives cite insufficient return on investment (78%), consumers’ unwillingness to pay a premium for green products or services (71%), and difficulty in evaluating sustainability across a product life cycle (45%) as the top barriers to more businesses “going green.”
* Shared duties reflect the nascent stage at which many businesses are organizing their human capital around a sustainability strategy. While more than two-thirds of executives (69%) indicated their companies have people responsible for sustainability or “going green” initiatives, most have merely added responsibilities for green efforts to the primary duties of a team of individuals (35%), or a C-suite or another senior level position (15%). Only about one in 10 say they have a C-suite or other senior level title/position dedicated solely to sustainability (12%), while 31% noted there is no one at their organization who is primarily or partially responsible for green initiatives.
Founded in 1971, Gibbs & Soell develops and implements communications strategies to engage consumer and business audiences across a broad array of industries. Its rich history includes successfully launching and guiding the growth of green products and technologies, manufacturing processes and business practices, including energy-efficient building systems, nature-based plastics and chemicals, biofuels, water conservation, and plastics recycling.
“This general skepticism about the corporate commitment to environmental stewardship represents a critical communications challenge for business leaders,” stated Ron Loch, senior vice president-greentech and sustainability practice, Gibbs & Soell. “Closing this credibility gap is going to require actions and communications that connect with key stakeholders. Having a dedicated staff and line item budget for green initiatives is an important step in making believers of employees, customers, and investors. For connecting with consumers, it means transparency and consistency of message.”
“There is a wealth of evidence indicating the business value of pursuing sustainability. This study highlights the need for chief executives to evaluate the messages they are sending and to equip themselves with a communications strategy that addresses their organization’s full range of stakeholders in order to chart a more direct path toward sustainability and business growth,” Loch said
Packaging Digest
U.S. consumers and Fortune 1000 executives doubt there is widespread commitment to “go green” among corporate America, according to the 2010 Gibbs & Soell Sense & Sustainability Study released today.
The study was conducted online in July 2010 by Harris Interactive among 2,605 U.S. adults and 304 Fortune 1000 executives on behalf of Gibbs & Soell, a global independent public relations firm with communications expertise in advanced manufacturing, energy, greentech, and sustainable industries. Key findings include the following:
* Corporate America has embarked on its journey toward sustainability, but still draws public skepticism. Only 29% of executives and 16% of consumers believe that a majority of businesses (“most,” “almost all,” or “all”) are committed to “going green” – defined as “improving the health of the environment by implementing more sustainable business practices, and/or offering environmentally-friendly products or services.” Many executives (54%) and consumers (48%) believe only “some” businesses are committed to “going green.”
* Financial inefficiency, market reluctance and unclear measurement are impeding the path to corporate sustainability. Executives cite insufficient return on investment (78%), consumers’ unwillingness to pay a premium for green products or services (71%), and difficulty in evaluating sustainability across a product life cycle (45%) as the top barriers to more businesses “going green.”
* Shared duties reflect the nascent stage at which many businesses are organizing their human capital around a sustainability strategy. While more than two-thirds of executives (69%) indicated their companies have people responsible for sustainability or “going green” initiatives, most have merely added responsibilities for green efforts to the primary duties of a team of individuals (35%), or a C-suite or another senior level position (15%). Only about one in 10 say they have a C-suite or other senior level title/position dedicated solely to sustainability (12%), while 31% noted there is no one at their organization who is primarily or partially responsible for green initiatives.
Founded in 1971, Gibbs & Soell develops and implements communications strategies to engage consumer and business audiences across a broad array of industries. Its rich history includes successfully launching and guiding the growth of green products and technologies, manufacturing processes and business practices, including energy-efficient building systems, nature-based plastics and chemicals, biofuels, water conservation, and plastics recycling.
“This general skepticism about the corporate commitment to environmental stewardship represents a critical communications challenge for business leaders,” stated Ron Loch, senior vice president-greentech and sustainability practice, Gibbs & Soell. “Closing this credibility gap is going to require actions and communications that connect with key stakeholders. Having a dedicated staff and line item budget for green initiatives is an important step in making believers of employees, customers, and investors. For connecting with consumers, it means transparency and consistency of message.”
“There is a wealth of evidence indicating the business value of pursuing sustainability. This study highlights the need for chief executives to evaluate the messages they are sending and to equip themselves with a communications strategy that addresses their organization’s full range of stakeholders in order to chart a more direct path toward sustainability and business growth,” Loch said
Monday, August 9, 2010
Packaging materials: US microwave packaging market to reach US$2.5 Billion by 2015, says report
Packaging Digest, 6/14/2010
Having witnessed deceleration in its growth over the last few years, the US market for microwave packaging is expected to reach US$2.52 billion by 2015. Growth in the short to medium term period will be driven by factors such as the trend towards take-home and packaged convenient frozen foods, increasing popularity of microwaveable foods and innovation in product offerings.
Consumers’ desire for food solutions, which are quick, efficient, time saving, and designed to simplify an elaborate food preparation, has been long driving technology developments in consumer electronics geared towards delivering the utmost level of convenience.
Microwave ovens, which during 1970s, invited lot of skepticism from wary skepticism by wary consumers unwilling to sacrifice quality, flavor or taste of foods, is today an indispensable part of every American household. The massive levels of market penetration witnessed for this consumer appliance, over the years, is the result of continued incremental improvements made in microwave technology. Against this backdrop, microwave packaging too has developed into a highly accepted and convenient packaging technology.
Growth in the US microwave packaging market has been decelerating over the last few years due to the trickle down effect of the tough business environment in the upstream packaging industry. Recession induced trends, such as reduced investments on new microwave packaging machinery and equipment, and lesser availability of financial resources for research and development have stifled innovation in this industry. However, with the recession at its tail’s end, a quick resurgence of growth is on cards, as companies start re-investing in technology development and new applications.
This represents a critical trend for the market’s inherent growth, given that packaging for microwaveable foods is extremely innovative and targeted to meet specific consumer requirements and unique food processors’ needs. Although, the performance of microwave packaging market for the years 2008 and 2009 has been quite lethargic, the trend towards take home food packaging has been the saving grace. Take home foods especially in the frozen foods category has been witnessing resilient growth against a backdrop of compromised consumer spending on consumer-packaged goods (CPG).
Microwave Packaging: A US Market Report
As stated by the new market research report on the US Microwave Packaging market, the frozen foods market has been the largest end-use segment for microwave packaging, contributing a share of about 57.83% in the total market revenue for the year 2009, while the fresh prepared foods market, remains the fastest growing end-use segment over the analysis period 2007-2015. By product type, microwavable foldable cartons and Trays have been the most prominent product segments.
Key players in this marketplace include American Packaging Corporation, Ampac Packaging, LLC, Associated Packaging Technologies, Inc, Amcor Limited, Bemis Company, Inc., Berry Plastics Corporation, E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company, Graphic Packaging Holding Company, Huhtamaki Oyj, Mullinix Packages, Inc., Packaging Concepts Inc., Printpack Inc., Rock-Tenn Company, Fold-Pak, Rexam Plc, Sealed Air Corporation, Silgan Holdings, and onoco Products Company among others.
The report titled “Microwave Packaging: A US Market Report” announced by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., provides a review of noteworthy market trends and growth drivers. The report in addition also enumerates product introductions, recent acquisitions, and other strategic industry activities. The report offers latent demand estimates and projections in value sales (in US$ million) for the US Microwave Packaging market by product segments, such as, Trays, Folding Cartons, Cups, Tubs, & Bowls, Bags & Pouches, Sleeves and Others and by Packaging Application such as Fresh Prepared Foods, Frozen Foods, Shelf-Stable Meals and Others.
For more details about this market research report, please visit –
http://www.strategyr.com/Microwave_Packaging_Market_Report.asp
SOURCE: Global Industry Analysts, Inc.
Having witnessed deceleration in its growth over the last few years, the US market for microwave packaging is expected to reach US$2.52 billion by 2015. Growth in the short to medium term period will be driven by factors such as the trend towards take-home and packaged convenient frozen foods, increasing popularity of microwaveable foods and innovation in product offerings.
Consumers’ desire for food solutions, which are quick, efficient, time saving, and designed to simplify an elaborate food preparation, has been long driving technology developments in consumer electronics geared towards delivering the utmost level of convenience.
Microwave ovens, which during 1970s, invited lot of skepticism from wary skepticism by wary consumers unwilling to sacrifice quality, flavor or taste of foods, is today an indispensable part of every American household. The massive levels of market penetration witnessed for this consumer appliance, over the years, is the result of continued incremental improvements made in microwave technology. Against this backdrop, microwave packaging too has developed into a highly accepted and convenient packaging technology.
Growth in the US microwave packaging market has been decelerating over the last few years due to the trickle down effect of the tough business environment in the upstream packaging industry. Recession induced trends, such as reduced investments on new microwave packaging machinery and equipment, and lesser availability of financial resources for research and development have stifled innovation in this industry. However, with the recession at its tail’s end, a quick resurgence of growth is on cards, as companies start re-investing in technology development and new applications.
This represents a critical trend for the market’s inherent growth, given that packaging for microwaveable foods is extremely innovative and targeted to meet specific consumer requirements and unique food processors’ needs. Although, the performance of microwave packaging market for the years 2008 and 2009 has been quite lethargic, the trend towards take home food packaging has been the saving grace. Take home foods especially in the frozen foods category has been witnessing resilient growth against a backdrop of compromised consumer spending on consumer-packaged goods (CPG).
Microwave Packaging: A US Market Report
As stated by the new market research report on the US Microwave Packaging market, the frozen foods market has been the largest end-use segment for microwave packaging, contributing a share of about 57.83% in the total market revenue for the year 2009, while the fresh prepared foods market, remains the fastest growing end-use segment over the analysis period 2007-2015. By product type, microwavable foldable cartons and Trays have been the most prominent product segments.
Key players in this marketplace include American Packaging Corporation, Ampac Packaging, LLC, Associated Packaging Technologies, Inc, Amcor Limited, Bemis Company, Inc., Berry Plastics Corporation, E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company, Graphic Packaging Holding Company, Huhtamaki Oyj, Mullinix Packages, Inc., Packaging Concepts Inc., Printpack Inc., Rock-Tenn Company, Fold-Pak, Rexam Plc, Sealed Air Corporation, Silgan Holdings, and onoco Products Company among others.
The report titled “Microwave Packaging: A US Market Report” announced by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., provides a review of noteworthy market trends and growth drivers. The report in addition also enumerates product introductions, recent acquisitions, and other strategic industry activities. The report offers latent demand estimates and projections in value sales (in US$ million) for the US Microwave Packaging market by product segments, such as, Trays, Folding Cartons, Cups, Tubs, & Bowls, Bags & Pouches, Sleeves and Others and by Packaging Application such as Fresh Prepared Foods, Frozen Foods, Shelf-Stable Meals and Others.
For more details about this market research report, please visit –
http://www.strategyr.com/Microwave_Packaging_Market_Report.asp
SOURCE: Global Industry Analysts, Inc.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
CEO study: Sustainability is critical to success
John Kalkowski -- Packaging Digest, 7/1/2010 3:56:00 PM
In spite of the recent economic downturn, an overwhelming majority of corporate CEOs-93 percent-say sustainability will be critical to the success of their companies. Furthermore, CEOs believe a tipping point could be reached within a decade that fully meshes sustainability with their core business.
These are among the key findings of a survey of 766 CEOs around the globe recently released by the United Nations Global Compact and Accenture. In addition to an online survey, the study included interviews with 50 CEOs.
According to the study, 80 percent of CEOs say the economic downturn has raised the importance of sustainability. As businesses address the financial crisis, sustainability is being recognized as a source of cost efficiencies and revenue growth. Additionally, many companies view sustainability as a critical element in driving growth in new markets.
The survey indicates that in 2010, businesses are taking sustainability more seriously. In a similar 2007 survey, 50 percent of respondents said that sustainability issues had become part of their company's strategy and operations, while that number jumped to 81 percent this year.
CEOs say several conditions must be met before sustainability can be fully integrated into a company's core business, including:
• Shaping consumer tastes to build a stronger market for sustainable products.
• Training management, employees and the next generation of leaders to deal with sustainability issues.
• Communicating with investors to create a better understanding of sustainability's impact.
• Measuring performance on sustainability.
• Working with governments to shape clearer regulation and create a level playing field.
According to the survey, 72 percent of the respondents identified three corporate attributes -brand, trust and reputation-as the primary considerations for acting on sustainability.
In spite of the recent economic downturn, an overwhelming majority of corporate CEOs-93 percent-say sustainability will be critical to the success of their companies. Furthermore, CEOs believe a tipping point could be reached within a decade that fully meshes sustainability with their core business.
These are among the key findings of a survey of 766 CEOs around the globe recently released by the United Nations Global Compact and Accenture. In addition to an online survey, the study included interviews with 50 CEOs.
According to the study, 80 percent of CEOs say the economic downturn has raised the importance of sustainability. As businesses address the financial crisis, sustainability is being recognized as a source of cost efficiencies and revenue growth. Additionally, many companies view sustainability as a critical element in driving growth in new markets.
The survey indicates that in 2010, businesses are taking sustainability more seriously. In a similar 2007 survey, 50 percent of respondents said that sustainability issues had become part of their company's strategy and operations, while that number jumped to 81 percent this year.
CEOs say several conditions must be met before sustainability can be fully integrated into a company's core business, including:
• Shaping consumer tastes to build a stronger market for sustainable products.
• Training management, employees and the next generation of leaders to deal with sustainability issues.
• Communicating with investors to create a better understanding of sustainability's impact.
• Measuring performance on sustainability.
• Working with governments to shape clearer regulation and create a level playing field.
According to the survey, 72 percent of the respondents identified three corporate attributes -brand, trust and reputation-as the primary considerations for acting on sustainability.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Sustainable packaging: Novelis to invest $15 million in aluminum recycling expansion in Brazil
-- Packaging Digest, 5/24/2010 12:04:29 PM
Novelis do Brasil Ltda., a subsidiary of Novelis Inc. announced that it has begun work on a US$15 million expansion of recycling capacity at its integrated aluminum rolling and recycling complex in Pindamonhangaba, Sao Paulo.
The investment will include the addition of two new furnaces and related improvements, which will increase the plant's capacity to recycle used beverage cans and other aluminum scrap by one third to 200,000 metric tons per year. The expansion will allow a nearly 20 percent increase in sheet ingot production to feed the plant's rolling mills. The new equipment is expected to come on stream in the spring of 2011.
"Improving our ability to recycle metal and manage our molten metal flow allows us to increase production of rolling ingot for our mills and reduces the need to purchase ingot from external parties," said Alexandre Almeida, senior vice president of Novelis Inc. and president, Novelis South America. "The overall effect is a more efficient operation to help us respond to our customers' needs."
Novelis is Brazil's leading producer of flat rolled aluminum products and its largest recycler of beverage cans, processing approximately 8 billion cans in 2009. The aluminum can is an environmental success story in a country where the recycling rate is currently estimated at better than 91 percent, placing Brazil among the world leaders in beverage can recycling.
Novelis' assets in Brazil include primary aluminum units in Aratu (BA) and Ouro Preto (MG), aluminum rolling operations in Pindamonhangaba and Santo Andre (SP), and nine hydropower plants located throughout the State of Minas Gerais. For more information on Novelis in Brazil, visit www.novelis.com.br.
SOURCE: Novelis
Novelis do Brasil Ltda., a subsidiary of Novelis Inc. announced that it has begun work on a US$15 million expansion of recycling capacity at its integrated aluminum rolling and recycling complex in Pindamonhangaba, Sao Paulo.
The investment will include the addition of two new furnaces and related improvements, which will increase the plant's capacity to recycle used beverage cans and other aluminum scrap by one third to 200,000 metric tons per year. The expansion will allow a nearly 20 percent increase in sheet ingot production to feed the plant's rolling mills. The new equipment is expected to come on stream in the spring of 2011.
"Improving our ability to recycle metal and manage our molten metal flow allows us to increase production of rolling ingot for our mills and reduces the need to purchase ingot from external parties," said Alexandre Almeida, senior vice president of Novelis Inc. and president, Novelis South America. "The overall effect is a more efficient operation to help us respond to our customers' needs."
Novelis is Brazil's leading producer of flat rolled aluminum products and its largest recycler of beverage cans, processing approximately 8 billion cans in 2009. The aluminum can is an environmental success story in a country where the recycling rate is currently estimated at better than 91 percent, placing Brazil among the world leaders in beverage can recycling.
Novelis' assets in Brazil include primary aluminum units in Aratu (BA) and Ouro Preto (MG), aluminum rolling operations in Pindamonhangaba and Santo Andre (SP), and nine hydropower plants located throughout the State of Minas Gerais. For more information on Novelis in Brazil, visit www.novelis.com.br.
SOURCE: Novelis
New study provides life cycle inventory data for recycled PET and HDPE packaging
The National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) announced the release of a new study that provides life cycle inventory (LCI) data for recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic resins. The study’s LCI report indicates that incorporating recycled PET resin in the manufacture of a package significantly reduces the environmental footprint of that package in terms of production energy required and greenhouse gas emissions.
“This is long-sought-after information for companies that want to include environmental sustainability as one of the ways in which they evaluate their product package options,” said Tom Busard, NAPCOR Chairman and VP Global Procurement and Material Systems for Plastipak Packaging. “There’s no true sustainability without recycling, and this new study confirms and quantifies the environmental benefits of recycling PET. We’re seeing more customers requesting LCIs in order to do Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) so that they can more accurately understand the sustainability profiles of their packaging.” LCAs consider the complete life of a product or package, including the raw materials, manufacturing, and end of life.
Dennis Sabourin, NAPCOR Executive Director, added, “This is a scientific approach and provides an excellent tool for making informed decisions.” Sabourin went on to emphasize that the sustainability profile and analysis for the PET package must not only take into account its recyclability, and the increasing use of recycled PET resin content in new packaging, but also PET’s inherent performance characteristics: lightweight; shatter-resistant; safe; able to preserve taste and other product characteristics on-shelf; and its suitability to be made significantly lighter without sacrificing performance for a variety of product applications. Fundamentally, packaging exists in order to effectively deliver a product while preserving that product’s quality in a safe, cost effective, and sustainable manner.
The new LCI study was conducted by Franklin Associates, Ltd. and sponsored jointly by NAPCOR, the American Chemistry Council (ACC), the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers (APR), and the PET Resin Association (PETRA). Using life cycle inventory (LCI) methodology, the study determines and quantifies the energy requirements, solid wastes, and atmospheric and waterborne emissions for the processes required to collect postconsumer PET and HDPE packaging, sort and separate the material, and reprocess it into clean recycled resin.
Based on study results, as well as U.S. EPA and Energy Information Administration (EIA) data, the total amount of PET post consumer containers recycled in 2008, if reclaimed in the U.S., would require approximately 30 trillion Btu less energy than the amount of energy that would be required to produce the equivalent tonnage of virgin PET resin; this is equivalent to the annual energy use of 317,000 U.S. homes. The corresponding savings in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is 1.1 million tons of CO2 equivalents, an amount comparable to taking 189,000 cars off the road. For a single pound of recycled PET flake, the energy use required is reduced by 84%; the GHG emissions, by 71%.1
Sabourin said, “We believe it extremely important for industry to cooperate with government and non-government agencies by using transparent methodologies and peer review protocols. This LCI report is extremely detailed and comprehensive in its scope; it gives our customers – and ultimately the consumer - confidence that they are making decisions based on good information.”
The new study’s findings are captured in “Final Report – Life Cycle Inventory of 100% Postconsumer HDPE and PET Recycled Resin from Postconsumer Containers and Packaging,” which is available on the sponsor organization web sites, including NAPCOR’s PET Sustainability page, http://www.napcor.com/PET/sustainability.html.
Information from the new study will soon be added to the U.S. Life-Cycle Inventory Database. A project of the U.S. Department of Energy and its National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), this is a publicly available database that allows users to review and compare analysis results, http://www.nrel.gov/lci/about.html.
Founded in 1987, the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) is the trade association for the PET plastic industry in the United States and Canada. NAPCOR is committed to being the credible voice and champion of the PET packaging industry; to facilitate solutions to PET recycling; and to communicate the benefits of PET as an environmentally sustainable package. www.napcor.com
1. Calculations are based on the volume of clean postconsumer PET flake produced from bottles recovered in the U.S. in 2008 (see http://www.napcor.com/PET/pet_reports.html), and the energy required to collect, sort and domestically reprocess, to flake, the tonnage of plastics containers recovered.
SOURCE: The National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR)
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