Green Packaging News Wrapup

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Green Packaging News Wrapup

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Green Packaging Noise - The diva JoAnn Hines, an expert in packaging with over 20 years experience in the field, gives a great sobering thought piece on the real value of sustainable packaging.
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Shades of Green - Another excellent thought piece on green packaging by Jackie DeLise. She describes the current state of affairs, gives some terminology, consumer perceptions, and some paths forward.
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Dennis Salazar on Green Secondary Packaging - It appears that greenwashing and vague statements also pervade in the packaging world. Dennis shares some stories and adds these key points: Higher percentages of recycled content are better; packaging manufacturers should state guaranteed minimum percentages (not statements like "up to 50%"); and post consumer waste is the best form because it's already been through the life cycle once.
See also:
What is Secondary Packaging? - A concise and easy to grasp explanation.
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The Importance of Secondary Packaging - A list of points Dennis gave to some eCommerce professionals.
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Secondary Packaging, the Silent Killer of the Environment - A must read primer on the subject; includes discussion on stretch film and corrugated cardboard.
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Ecoblivious Packaging, Polystyrene Loose Fill - Peanuts as filler are really a waste. From a user design perspective, they're more of a hassle than air pillows or simply scrunched up newspaper.
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PLA and Meat Packing - An Italian company is finding much success in its trays for meat, poultry, and seafood packaging; a 100% biodegradable solution (if one also uses PLA stretch film).
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Biodegradable Coffee Bags for Larry's Beans - Maverick Enterprises and their proprietary plastic additives ("Green Film" - lame name, I know) were used to help make Larry's Beans coffee bags that are certified landfill degradable or compostable (claimed to break down between 9mo. to 5yrs.) They also claim they're certified by the US EPA to not leave dangerous heavy metals in soil or water.
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McDonald's uses Polystyrene Cup for Sweet Tea - This isn't good news, as the article goes into some of the details and questions why so, if it doesn't degrade as nicely as paper. But what's even better is in the comments. Look for Mike's response; he's from the cup's manufacturer, Dart. Also notice one commentator's assertion that the paper cups are really a mix of paper & plastic, and it's not such a clear cut issue. The point is that we do need to consider a systems design approach AND the performance requirements of the packaging. But when we consider the massive size of McDonald's US retail network, wouldn't it be best to fix the system? Let's see if a PLA style 'styrofoam' (Dow Chemical trade name by the way), cup would be a viable option in coming years.
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PWP Packaging Introduces AgroResin Line - AgroResin was developed by a Singaporean materials firm as a 100% biodegradable and 100% certified compostable fiber, made from non-GMO agricultural byproducts that would normally be discarded. After coming to the US through a few exclusive marketing agents in 2006, it appears that the PWP company has likely licensed AgroResin for a variety of food packaging solutions. It can be microwaved and is gas permeable, but water resistant.
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Method Switches Lines to 100% Post Consumer Recycled Packaging - After having used virgin PET for some time in the US, Method tested bottling using recycled sources in the UK. The challenge was finding a supplier that could go for the full 100% shabang back in the states.
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100% Recycled LDPE Air Pillows - GlobeGuard is a line of inflatable air pillows made by Automated Packaging Systems; Dennis is happy to distribute them to his clients, as he reports.
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11th Hour DVD Packaging gets Complete Eco-Design - Very interesting article on the materials and design into this media for Warner Brothers. Everything, apart from the disc itself, is recyclable.
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Au Revoir!