Month: August 2013

Categories
GreenBlue

Top Five Fun Facts: August

Eric DesRoberts continues his monthly series of facts and tidbits he’s uncovered during his research to better understand products and packaging. You can also check out his past Fun Facts here.

1. A recent Bureau of Labor Statistics finding showed that in 2011, the average US household spent more on pets ($502) annually than they did on alcohol ($456), landline phone bills ($381), or men and boys clothing ($404). Households comprised of only a husband and wife spent the highest amounts (just below $700).
2. Federal campaign rules allow Americans to make political candidates or committees the beneficiaries of their estates. Since Jan. 1, 2009, thirty-two people listed on federal campaign records as “deceased” have contributed more than $586,000 to congressional and presidential candidates and political parties.
3. August 12 marked the second annual World Elephant Day.  The street value of a single elephant tusk is approximately US$15,000 with the main market for illegal ivory being China. Poaching and habitat loss are two significant threats to Asian and African Elephants.

4. 100 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute. Almost 6 billion hours of YouTube are watched each month.
5. Earth Overshoot Day—the approximate date our resource consumption for a given year exceeds the planet’s ability to replenish – was believed to occur on August 22, 2012.  Since 2001, Earth Overshoot Day has occurred an average of three days earlier each year. Today, August 20, is Earth Overshoot Day 2013 and we have now consumed our annual resource allotment for 2013.

Categories
Sustainable Packaging Coalition

The “Plastic Numbers" Get a Makeover

Resin Identification Codes (RICs), also known as the “plastic numbers” or “recycling numbers,” are getting a makeover.

Contrary to popular belief, a RIC does not equal “recyclable.” RICs are plastic identification codes developed in 1988 by SPI. The goal of RICs was to assist recyclers in identifying materials. They were never intended as a consumer communication tool. However, consumers and local recycling programs quickly adapted to use the ubiquitous “recycling numbers,” even as consumer testing continues to show that RICs confuse consumers and they do not understand their meaning.

RICs became an ASTM International standard in 2008. ASTM uses industry consensus via subcommittees to develop standards.

To decouple resin identification from recycling labeling, ASTM International Subcommittee D20.95 on Recycled Plastics approved a switch from chasing arrows to a triangle.

But not so fast.

RICs are required by law in 39 states. Herein lies a speedbump. Each state writes statutes in its own way with its own requirements. Many specifically require numbers with chasing arrows and specific letters.

While the international standard changed, state laws did not. It may take some time before consumers see the change. Meanwhile, companies must navigate between fulfilling the different state statutes or following the new ASTM standard.

Concurrently, GreenBlue’s How2Recycle label continues to take off. How2Recycle is an on-package recycling label that helps companies provide clear recycling instructions to consumers. How2Recycle replaces RICs as a clearer first line of communication with consumers. We anticipate great growth and exciting announcements in the near future.

Categories
GreenBlue

David Suzuki takes a look at the link between toxic pesticides and dying bees

Check out David Suzuki’s excellent blog piece on the dramatic decline in honeybee populations.
It ties in really nicely with two recent In the Loop blog posts, one by Katherine O’Dea on the link between our food supply and honeybees, and the other posted by me about the challenges facing the honeybees on my farm.

Categories
Sustainable Packaging Coalition

CCF Brands and Ecologic Brands Join the How2Recycle Program

The How2Recycle labeling program is growing in popularity, and the Sustainable Packaging Coalition is thrilled to announce two new participants: CCF Brands and Ecologic Brands!

CCF Brands is the company that distributes eggs to Walmart under the familiar Great Day Farms label. CCF Brands has two types of cartons that will carry the How2Recycle label: a fiber carton and a foam carton. The fiber cartons, manufactured with either 100% recycled material or 100% reclaimed paper, will carry the “Widely Recycled” label, while the polystyrene foam cartons will receive the “Check Locally” label.

We have a double announcement for Ecologic Brands, as they have both joined the How2Recycle label and received the first license fee financial sponsorship for the “Store Drop-off” label. Ecologic Brands created the well-known eco.bottle that consists of an outer shell paper bottle made of recycled cardboard boxes and an inner plastic pouch. This inner pouch is made from LDPE plastic, one of the two polyethylene plastics (along with HDPE) accepted at thousands of drop-off locations nationwide, and will carry the How2Recycle “Store Drop-off” label.
As we mentioned in an earlier blog, the generosity of the ACC Flexible Film Recycling Group (FFRG) has made sponsorships available for new How2Recycle participants using the “Store Drop-off” label. Ecologic Brands is the first participant to have their License Fee offset by the sponsorship. There are still sponsorships available, so if your company has a product eligible for the “Store Drop-off” label, act fast to claim a sponsorship while the opportunity is still around!
CCF Brands and Ecologic Brands join the 13 other How2Recycle participants in the sustainability endeavor to improve recycling rates throughout the country. Interested in jumping on the bandwagon? Visit how2recycle.info for more information on the program and email Anne Bedarf to express your interest in using the label or apply for a sponsorship!