Article: Sustainable Food Packaging Grows Despite Economy
Source: Environmental Leader
http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/04/08/sustainable-food-packaging-grows-despite-economy/
(published on April 8, 2009)
The article highlighted the ways and measures that sustainability is used with relation to recyclable products and packaging. It analyzed the current challenges with sustainability as well as the incremental progress that has been made since the late 1990s. The article notes that while the economy is suffering and enduring difficult times, the amount of products that have been recycled is notable. The reports that were generated for this analysis based their research on items such as: paper, plastic, metal, glass and flexible packaging. The focus of the article was based on sustainability indicators, which was noted in chapter 6 of Wheeler’s text. Wheeler states (2004), “One widespread initiative within sustainability planning has been the development of indicators that track progress towards sustainable development” (p. 91). The article addresses this concept in discussing the progress that has been made from the 1990s until 2009. Improvements and development were also indicated to give further understanding to the impact that retailers and corporations have had on sustainability.
The economy has had some impact on the recycling prices that retailers, food and beverage companies receive in return for their products. It was noted that mixed paper and cardboard prices declined from $105 a ton to $25 per ton; plastic bottles that were once worth 25 cents a pound decreased to 2 cents per pound, and aluminum can pricing that once was at 80 cents per pound fell to 40 cents. Thus some of the recyclable products fell in price as much as 90 percent of their previous worth. It is estimated that “the world market for food and beverage packaging is about $310 billion with the US, Europe and Asia accounting for 90 percent” (Environmental Leader, Article, 4-9-2009).
Retail leaders such as Wal-Mart were mentioned for the sustainability initiatives and plans made to make their corporations more green. Their current efforts should aid the company in reducing their overall packaging by about 5% by the year 2013, and will save in shipping costs and carbon emissions. A packaging scorecard was introduced within their corporation in 2007 in order to rate their global suppliers according to their green practices; this aids in guiding Wal-Mart determine whom they will purchase and buy from in the future.
The article noted that paper and corrugated comprised of 83 million tons of solid waste, and currently makes us 33% of America’s municipal solid waste. The United States exported $2.6 billion in recovered paper materials in the year of 2008, which shows an increase of 18% since 2004. Aluminum product was stated to require 95% less energy when recycled than that of production from raw materials. At the current time, 54% of aluminum products are being recycled. These figures are based upon reports from the Aluminum Association, the Can Manufacturers Association and the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries.
Plans for recycling products such as glass and plastic were indicated, along with some of the common uses for the recycled items. The North American Insulation Manufacturer’s Association noted that about 300,000 tons of recycled glass annually is used to produce thermal and acoustical insulation. Glass is a product that is able to be reused a number of times prior to recycling. Plastic has a number of functions that were broken down into various uses, and were ordered according to resin type (i.e. PET, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP and PS). Common reuses were using the items for, drainage and irrigation pipes, paneling, grocery bags, rakes, buckets, car battery casings, pet containers, luggage, furniture, take out containers and trashcans. The modern uses of these products shed light on the increasing need to recycle the products in promoting sustainability. “Despite the challenges, the nearly $35 billion U.S. market for food and beverage packaging has ample opportunities for growth in sustainable packaging options…” (Environmental Leader, Article, 4-9-2009). Wheeler (2004) notes that “Indicators potentially have great power to demonstrate problems, motivate action, educate the public and show the positive effect of sustainability policies” (p. 92). Thus, the indicators mentioned within this article regarding sustainability have been a way to track the progress that has occurred over time and directives for future advancement. The positive impact of the sustainability process has been explored, as well as the incremental impact that corporations have on sustainability.
Article: Sustainability a growing movement at colleges, and universities across Canada.
Source: Canadian Press
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5h2LRMwKrDVzdaZvx6y4nYNvdSBeg
(published on April 9, 2009)
This writer was interested in the way that college campuses have evolved over time and their commitment to sustainability. Arizona State University is one of several universities in the United States that has shown forth their commitment to sustainability in various ways to ensure that continued research and study has been put forth in this area of examination. This writer wanted to compare the current trends that are taking place within Canadian universities to the universities within the United States.
The article notes that there has been an increase in concern for the environment at universities across Canada with a specific emphasis on sustainability. Students are becoming more exposed to the ideas and concepts associated with becoming green and developing technology that focuses on the environment. The article focuses on students who have a desire to go into environmental building and construction. The Dean at Georgian College in Canada stated that “to achieve sustainability students must be taught to incorporate it into every step of the building design and construction process”. Another statement was that “true sustainability in construction, engineering and energy isn’t going to come about by just dedicating one program to it – it’s about a way of thinking” (Canadian Press Article, April 9 2009).
The University of British Columbia has also incorporated a campus wide “sustainable environment” that has been noted to not only be applicable to academic programs. At the UBC, students are required to obtain a bus pas in order to conserve and food services on campus are currently utilizing bridgeable products when serving students. The article accounts for a number of graduates who have begun their own private sustainable building companies, along with others who have taken their current knowledge of sustainability into their place of business.
When researching for this article, this writer was able to find a number of articles on the strides that ASU is currently making in the area of sustainability and the knowledge that they desire to pass onto their students. This article focuses upon the subject group of Education, Communication and Census-Building which Wheeler (2004) addressed in chapter 6 of his writings. Wheeler noted that this process included “the whole range of activities that make up Friedmann’s social learning – action oriented practice, education, group decision making and cognitive growth” (p. 100). This process was highlighted within the article, as students are in the process of educating their communities about sustainability and decision making that is centered on conservation of the environment and it’s resources. Students are also engaged in another subject group identified by Wheeler (2004), which is: Organizing and Coalition-building. Students have found creative ways of discussing their ideas with the press in order to gain the attention of politicians who can produce further development in the area of sustainability. Wheeler noted that, “key challenges for these organizations are to figure out creative ways of gaining local press attention, gaining access to politicians, and maintaining a consistent presence over time”(p. 101). By continuing to build coalitions with those in the community and various environmental organizations, students have the ability to bring attention to the issues impacting their communities as a whole and thereby further educate the public.
Source: Environmental Leader
http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/04/08/sustainable-food-packaging-grows-despite-economy/
(published on April 8, 2009)
The article highlighted the ways and measures that sustainability is used with relation to recyclable products and packaging. It analyzed the current challenges with sustainability as well as the incremental progress that has been made since the late 1990s. The article notes that while the economy is suffering and enduring difficult times, the amount of products that have been recycled is notable. The reports that were generated for this analysis based their research on items such as: paper, plastic, metal, glass and flexible packaging. The focus of the article was based on sustainability indicators, which was noted in chapter 6 of Wheeler’s text. Wheeler states (2004), “One widespread initiative within sustainability planning has been the development of indicators that track progress towards sustainable development” (p. 91). The article addresses this concept in discussing the progress that has been made from the 1990s until 2009. Improvements and development were also indicated to give further understanding to the impact that retailers and corporations have had on sustainability.
The economy has had some impact on the recycling prices that retailers, food and beverage companies receive in return for their products. It was noted that mixed paper and cardboard prices declined from $105 a ton to $25 per ton; plastic bottles that were once worth 25 cents a pound decreased to 2 cents per pound, and aluminum can pricing that once was at 80 cents per pound fell to 40 cents. Thus some of the recyclable products fell in price as much as 90 percent of their previous worth. It is estimated that “the world market for food and beverage packaging is about $310 billion with the US, Europe and Asia accounting for 90 percent” (Environmental Leader, Article, 4-9-2009).
Retail leaders such as Wal-Mart were mentioned for the sustainability initiatives and plans made to make their corporations more green. Their current efforts should aid the company in reducing their overall packaging by about 5% by the year 2013, and will save in shipping costs and carbon emissions. A packaging scorecard was introduced within their corporation in 2007 in order to rate their global suppliers according to their green practices; this aids in guiding Wal-Mart determine whom they will purchase and buy from in the future.
The article noted that paper and corrugated comprised of 83 million tons of solid waste, and currently makes us 33% of America’s municipal solid waste. The United States exported $2.6 billion in recovered paper materials in the year of 2008, which shows an increase of 18% since 2004. Aluminum product was stated to require 95% less energy when recycled than that of production from raw materials. At the current time, 54% of aluminum products are being recycled. These figures are based upon reports from the Aluminum Association, the Can Manufacturers Association and the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries.
Plans for recycling products such as glass and plastic were indicated, along with some of the common uses for the recycled items. The North American Insulation Manufacturer’s Association noted that about 300,000 tons of recycled glass annually is used to produce thermal and acoustical insulation. Glass is a product that is able to be reused a number of times prior to recycling. Plastic has a number of functions that were broken down into various uses, and were ordered according to resin type (i.e. PET, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP and PS). Common reuses were using the items for, drainage and irrigation pipes, paneling, grocery bags, rakes, buckets, car battery casings, pet containers, luggage, furniture, take out containers and trashcans. The modern uses of these products shed light on the increasing need to recycle the products in promoting sustainability. “Despite the challenges, the nearly $35 billion U.S. market for food and beverage packaging has ample opportunities for growth in sustainable packaging options…” (Environmental Leader, Article, 4-9-2009). Wheeler (2004) notes that “Indicators potentially have great power to demonstrate problems, motivate action, educate the public and show the positive effect of sustainability policies” (p. 92). Thus, the indicators mentioned within this article regarding sustainability have been a way to track the progress that has occurred over time and directives for future advancement. The positive impact of the sustainability process has been explored, as well as the incremental impact that corporations have on sustainability.
Article: Sustainability a growing movement at colleges, and universities across Canada.
Source: Canadian Press
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5h2LRMwKrDVzdaZvx6y4nYNvdSBeg
(published on April 9, 2009)
This writer was interested in the way that college campuses have evolved over time and their commitment to sustainability. Arizona State University is one of several universities in the United States that has shown forth their commitment to sustainability in various ways to ensure that continued research and study has been put forth in this area of examination. This writer wanted to compare the current trends that are taking place within Canadian universities to the universities within the United States.
The article notes that there has been an increase in concern for the environment at universities across Canada with a specific emphasis on sustainability. Students are becoming more exposed to the ideas and concepts associated with becoming green and developing technology that focuses on the environment. The article focuses on students who have a desire to go into environmental building and construction. The Dean at Georgian College in Canada stated that “to achieve sustainability students must be taught to incorporate it into every step of the building design and construction process”. Another statement was that “true sustainability in construction, engineering and energy isn’t going to come about by just dedicating one program to it – it’s about a way of thinking” (Canadian Press Article, April 9 2009).
The University of British Columbia has also incorporated a campus wide “sustainable environment” that has been noted to not only be applicable to academic programs. At the UBC, students are required to obtain a bus pas in order to conserve and food services on campus are currently utilizing bridgeable products when serving students. The article accounts for a number of graduates who have begun their own private sustainable building companies, along with others who have taken their current knowledge of sustainability into their place of business.
When researching for this article, this writer was able to find a number of articles on the strides that ASU is currently making in the area of sustainability and the knowledge that they desire to pass onto their students. This article focuses upon the subject group of Education, Communication and Census-Building which Wheeler (2004) addressed in chapter 6 of his writings. Wheeler noted that this process included “the whole range of activities that make up Friedmann’s social learning – action oriented practice, education, group decision making and cognitive growth” (p. 100). This process was highlighted within the article, as students are in the process of educating their communities about sustainability and decision making that is centered on conservation of the environment and it’s resources. Students are also engaged in another subject group identified by Wheeler (2004), which is: Organizing and Coalition-building. Students have found creative ways of discussing their ideas with the press in order to gain the attention of politicians who can produce further development in the area of sustainability. Wheeler noted that, “key challenges for these organizations are to figure out creative ways of gaining local press attention, gaining access to politicians, and maintaining a consistent presence over time”(p. 101). By continuing to build coalitions with those in the community and various environmental organizations, students have the ability to bring attention to the issues impacting their communities as a whole and thereby further educate the public.
Both are interesting articles. I find it fascinating that Walmart, who gets so much criticism, is being noted for their sustainability efforts. Its encouraging actually, because I think that means that recycling and being more environmentally friendly or engaging in sustainable practices has really reached the masses. The other article is interesting as well. It makes me wonder if there is a difference between the way baby boomers, Gen Xers and Gen Yers think about the environment.
ReplyDeleteI like your first article a lot. When recycled products enter into the market place their place is determined by commodity prices for the respective products (i.e. glass, paper, aluminum etc...).
ReplyDeleteIf my memory serves me right, this process usually follows a bell type curve. What that means is that there can be a point (from a market standpoint) that there can be too much recycling. NYC got plammered when paper prices crashed in the late 90's, and it became cost prohibitive to be recycled paper, which was usually of poorer quality.
I am all for recycling, but there will either have to some means to factor in the external benefit to the price or societies will have to undergo a major paragim shift, which I trhink is happening.
I like your conclusion (2nd article) that states that we must continue to build coalitions with those in the community and various environmental organizations, students have the ability to bring attention to the issues impacting OUR communities as a whole and thereby further educate the public.
ReplyDeleteI much enjoyed your articles. The first one about Wal-Mart reminds me of an article I read several years ago about McDonalds. They are a company that is one of the most powerful egg buyers; and they stated that unless more favorable conditions were provided to the hens (size on pen, space, food, etc.) they would take their business somewhere else. They made a change! We all can.
I really liked your first article too how it shows on a large scale what recycling is doing. I was in the store the other day and saw a bag that was made of 65% recycled plastic (what they said was equivalent to 4 water bottles). I find it interesting to see what types of products can be made with the recycled goods and how consumer demand for them is changing.
ReplyDelete