California Considering Ban on PFOA in Food Packaging by 2010

The Los Angeles Times ran an important story yesterday on the use of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in food packaging.  The California legislature is considering a bill that would eliminate the use of PFOA in all food packaging by 2010.

The PFOA is used in food packaging as a coating to prevent food from sticking to the packaging.  PFOA-based coatings are used to repel grease on a variety of fast food packages, including pizza boxes, microwave popcorn packages and french fry containers. 

The chemical coating is also used a large amount of consumer food packaging including candy and other pre-packaged foods.

According to the LA Times, studies show that PFOA is present in 98% of Americans' blood and 100% of newborns. It doesn't break down and thus accumulates in the system over time.

Federal investigators determined in 2005 that PFOA is a "likely carcinogen" and called for expanded testing to study its potential to cause liver, breast, testicular and pancreatic cancer.

The chemical industry says there's no reason to worry about PFOA, which is used to make Teflon pans and Gore-Tex clothing, and to prevent food from sticking to paper packaging. The industry says that while the EPA's carcinogenic concerns are based on animal tests, there's no evidence that PFOA is harmful to humans.

DuPont Co., the sole U.S. manufacturer of PFOA.

3M used to produce the chemical but stopped production in 2000 after learning that the chemical was accumulating in people's bodies.

California State Sen. Ellen Corbett (D-San Leandro), has drafted legislation -- SB 1313 -- that would ban PFOA and a similar compound in any food packaging sold in California by 2010.

The bill has been approved by the state Senate and passed the Assembly Health Committee last month. It's expected to come before the full Assembly in the next few weeks.

"I was shocked to learn that people are being exposed to toxic chemicals in foods they serve to their family and may ingest every day," Corbett said.

No clear way to determine which packaging uses PFOA

She said she was also troubled that it's virtually impossible to know which manufacturers have PFOA in their packaging. There are no labeling requirements.

In 2006, the EPA invited all companies involved with PFOA to join a voluntary "stewardship program" to reduce use and emissions of the chemical by 2010 and eliminate the substance by 2015.

DuPont said in a letter to the agency that it would eliminate "where possible" use and emissions of PFOA "so that any residuals are reduced to the maximum extent feasible." The company is working on alternative chemicals.

via LA Times:  Read full story here

Excessive Packaging: Hewlett Packard Sends 32 Pieces of Paperwork to Customer in 17 Boxes

In one of the more remarkable examples of excessive packaging we've seen, the technology site The Register in the UK posted a piece on an example of excessive packaging from Hewlett Packard (HP).

HP mailed 32 individual pieces of paperwork in a very large box. Inside the large box were sixteen (16) individual smaller boxes each containing 2 pieces of paperwork wrapped in foam padding. A total of seventeen (17) boxes were used to mail thirty-two (32) pieces of paperwork.

We have not seen a response to the story from HP. The example is certainly one of the most egregious we've seen.  Who has ever heard of shipping paperwork in such a fashion?

EXCESSIVE PACKAGING:  If you have examples of excessive packaging we'd like to hear about it.  Contact us by email.

Photos via: The Register

Coopbox NaturalBox PLA Fresh Food Packaging

Italian fresh food packaging company Coopbox has carved a niche with its NaturalBox line of Ingeo PLA tray packaging.  Designed for fresh meats and vegetables the packaging is being used for a number of applications in Europe.

Packaging World reported Coopbox's NaturalBox packaging has been available since 2005 and is currently used for fresh meat and fish packaging throughout Europe.

The PLA tray can be wrapped with a stretch film or a PLA-based film for a 100% biodegradable packaging solution.

“When the tray is used with PLA,” Coopbox's Cesare Vannini told Packaging World, “it is possible to obtain a 100-percent biodegradable solution. The system is suitable for protective atmosphere packaging of fresh foods with a shelf life of up to 15 days.”

NaturalBox trays with PLA lidstock are currently being used for several European fresh-food applications, including organic chicken (pictured) from Bodin, the largest poultry supplier in Europe; easy-peel, jumbo, ready-to-eat prawns from U.K. seafood company Dawnfresh Seafoods; and processed meat from Fresh Concept in Belgium.

Nextgen Vending to Distribute Earthpure Organics PLA Eco-Water Bottles

Earthpure Organics, a sister company of Nextgen Vending has launched a new line of renewable, biodegradable PLA water bottles called Eco-Water bottles.

The new 16.9 oz. water bottles will be distributed nationally by Nextgen Vending. 

Nextgen Vending specializes in delivering organic snack and beverage products to schools, hospitals, airports, fitness centers, corporate facilities and other retail markets via custom vending kiosks.

The Eco-Water bottle is made from a renewable resource, corn based PLA,  that is also fully offset with EPA/ BEF (Bonneville Environmental Foundation) wind power “Green Tags” – the bottle is fully biodegradable, recyclable, and fully carbon offset.

“We are extremely proud to be the first vending operator in the United States to offer a socially responsible choice for water bottles” says Paul Frantellizzi, managing partner of Earthpure Organic.

“This corn-based PLA bio-bottle with the addition of a 100% carbon offset commitment, is a compelling first step toward resolving growing concerns about petroleum based bottles overwhelming our landfills”.

Earthpure's Eco-Water bottle joins North Carolina's Primo Water as the only two known companies using PLA for individual water bottle packaging in the US.

Buying Groceries with Less Packaging

Buying groceries with less packaging is something more and more consumers are becoming aware of and concerned about. 

The growing trend, while still in stages of infancy across overall group of American consumers is gradually becoming something companies and manufacturer are recognizing. 

Within the green community packaging has always been something seen as excessive and often unnecessary and we've seen many green brands undergo design changes for their product packaging.

Enviromom, a blog run by two mothers focused on living a greener lifestyle with their children in the Portland area, ran a detailed piece on packaging issues consumers face at grocery stores across the country.  The post which rant late last week provides an in depth look into issues more and more consumers are starting to pay attention to related to packaging. 

In addition to touching on many of the current issues in consumer packaging Enviromom provides a series of useful suggestions and observations to reduce or eliminate excessive packaging.

An except on packaging and convenience.

"Let's talk about convenience. No wait. Let's stop thinking about convenience when shopping. If something is being marketed as convenient, it's probably not good for you or the environment. I really doubt that the mom who packs a Lunchable and a juice box for her kid really has a less stressful day than mine. I usually make a sandwich, fruit, yogurt and water bottle for my kids. It doesn't take that much time to pack or wash the durable containers. I will not kid you. There are not many ways to RECYCLE or REUSE a Lunchable plastic tray."

Read the full piece on Enviromom

Shure Greens Product Packaging

Shure, makers of high audio equipment for musicians and consumers recently announced they have redesigned the packaging for all their Microflex Installed Sound Microphones, ULX Wireless Microphone Systems, three of their wired and wireless Personal Monitor Systems (PSM), and two of their SE Sound Isolating Earphone models. 

The packaging changes the company has rolled out do not change the size or shape of current packaging or reduce the strength, durability, and product protection it provides.

The more sustainable packaging includes the elimination of the Mylar coating and full-color graphic printing on the cartons increases the recycle-ability of the packaging.

“We currently produce a wide variety of full-color packaging across all product lines, but recently made the decision to move toward a more environmentally friendly design for several products,” said Terri Hartman, Director of Brand Communications for Shure. 

“These changes allow us to gain some efficiencies and act as a more socially responsible company.” 

All models will ship in brown “kraft” packaging with the Shure brand logo and “Microflex Installed Sound Microphones” for Microflex models, “ULX Wireless Systems” for ULX models, and “Personal Monitor Systems” for the PSM Systems printed on the cartons.  Weber labels will continue to provide specific product model information of package contents.

“We felt like this redesign further underlines our commitment to environmentally friendly standards,” added Hartman.

Shure has also recently introduced new outer packaging for the SE210 and SE310 Sound Isolating earphone models, which is made of a 100 percent recyclable carton. The new packaging provides a uniform look for the SE110, SE210, and SE310 earphone models.

“We’re confident that the new packaging will provide consumers, at a quick glance, product differentiation between these models on the retail floor,” said Hartman.  “We’re always willing to explore new options for our existing products, and we’ll consider more eco-friendly packaging designs when we introduce new products in the future.”

TerraCycle Turns Kraft Packaging into New Products

Kraft Foods recently announced a new partnership with TerraCycle, an upstart upcycling company that takes packages and materials that are challenging to recycle and turns them into affordable, high quality goods.

The partnership will greatly expand the number of collection sites TerraCycle has available across the country and will help prevent a significant amount of packaging waste from going into landfills.

Kraft will become the first major multi-category corporation to fund the collection of used packaging associated with its products. Several Kraft brands, including Balance bars and South Beach Living bars, Capri Sun beverages, and Chips Ahoy! and Oreo cookies, are now the lead sponsors of TerraCycle Brigades. These nationwide recycling programs make a donation for every piece of packaging a location collects.

"Sustainability is about looking out for future generations. Kraft is proud to partner with TerraCycle, an innovative company who has made it their mission to reduce the impact on landfills and to educate consumers on the importance of recycling," says Jeff Chahley, Senior Director, Sustainability, Kraft Foods.

"TerraCycle’s model of rewarding ’brigade hosts’ is a novel way of collecting packaging waste that would otherwise have been sent to landfills. It’s so cool to see trash turned into merchandise that’s unlike anything else on the market."

Larry's Beans Biodegradable Coffee Bag

Larry's Beans, a Raleigh North Carolina coffee company announced it is using a new 100% biodegradable coffee bag. 

The bag is made by another North Carolina-based company, Maverick Enterprises from a proprietary plastic product called Green Film.

Green Film is made by combining "proprietary pellets" with the plastic during the production process which forms a material that according to Maverick biodegrades and composts in normal landfill conditions. 

Larry's Beans notes their entire bag is made from the Green Film material as opposed to just certain layers of the bag like other companies have recently produced.

The bags are certified landfill degradable or compostable (ASTM 5511 and ASTM 5338.98). Unlike regular plastics, Maverick says its Green Film will completely break down into humus in nine months to five years.

The company also notes unlike some other biodegradable films on the market, their Green Film is certified by the EPA to leave no dangerous heavy metals in the soil or water.

Amazon.com Excessive Packaging

Online retailer Amazon.com is the latest company to have an issue of excessive packaging come to light, and this example is bad.

In November of last year a customer thinking they were being efficient and reducing waste ordered a bulk order of 6, 32oz Ecover Delicate Wash detergents.  To the surprise of the customer, each bottle was boxed in its own box and shrink-wrapped to cardboard and then packaged in a larger box again with additional packaging material.

Sustainable is Good learned about the excessive packaging last week while doing product research for upcoming stories.

The customer writes on Amazon.com, "A huge box arrived today, contained these six 32oz bottles that Amazon sells as a single order. It took me about 15 minutes to open up the big carton, then the 6 individual cartons within that carton, then remove the single bottle that was shrink-wrapped to another chunk of cardboard within that cardboard, bust down everything and jam it into the recycling bin.... Luckily all the cartons were kept safe from each other with an ample supply of plastic pillows. I haven't even used this stuff yet and I feel awful for purchasing it - there is no reason for this appalling waste of cardboard, plastic and shipping resources to get 6 plastic quarts of liquid from their warehouse to my house - it's packed as though it were ceramics!

I'm expecting the soap itself will be excellent. But the sad irony of wasting so much plastic and cardboard to ship this product - which Amazon sells in lots of six - just breaks my heart. I've uploaded an image of the earth carnage above.

I hope Amazon reconsiders such wasteful packaging in the future. There's absolutely no reason this couldn't be shipped in a box 1/4 the size and without any separation between the bottles - it's just laundry detergent!"

We've seen and profiled some examples of excessive packaging.  In this instance the customer was ordering a bulk order of an "eco-friendly" Ecover product so the excessive packaging had a particularly upsetting impact on the customer.  As awareness increases to issues of packaging and reducing waste we'll continue to learn of instances such as this.  However its hopeful that retailers like Amazon will use instances like this to educate their distribution and shipping centers on the importance of maximizing resources and reducing packaging.

McDonalds Sweet Tea Styrofoam Packaging

While most companies and a number of municipalities are phasing out the use of #6 polystyrene (commonly referred to and known as styrofoam) in fast food packaging one of the largest fast food companies in the US, McDonalds, is using it for its popular Sweet Tea drink.

McDonalds is heavily promoting its Sweet Tea, offering a large sized cup for just $1 

The large #6 styrofoam cup was developed specifically for McDonalds by Dart. 

While most disposable fast food cups including those made of paper are not easily recyclable, McDonalds choice of a styrofoam cup for a new product promotion is significant.  Does the company consider styrofoam a better option than paper?

The topic has come up on McDonalds Corporate Social Responsibility blog Open for Discussion.

Responding to a comment from a reader who was concerned about the company's use of styrofoam for its Sweet Tea drinks a McDonalds representative said the company looks at "life cycle impacts as opposed to only 'end-of-life' impacts."

A McDonalds customer posted the following question on McDonalds CSR blog, "I was wondering why the new sweet tea is being served in styrofoam cups. I know you have responded to other styrofoam questions but I'm wondering why a new drink product needs to be served in styrofoam when the paper cups work for every other drink. While I know the paper cups most likely don't get recycled, at least they will degrade in the environment unlike styrofoam. Why is this new tea using something that it proven to be so bad for the environment when there are much better choices already being used?"

McDonalds posted the following response to the readers questions which shed some light on their decision to use styrofoam.  "It's true that in the U.S., food service cups of any material are not recycled significantly. We look to optimize life cycle impacts as opposed to only "end-of-life" impacts. This means that we'll evaluate a package for impacts across many criteria (e.g., weight, resource use, recyclability) as opposed to only selecting the package based on its ability to be recycled. Also, environment is one of several criteria used for decision making; key amongst this is meeting our customer's expectations. Others include functionality, cost and supply availability."

McDonalds has worked globally on its environmental image, so their choice of styrofoam drink packaging for a new product warrants our attention.  What is McDonalds saying by making the choice to use this material?