BMPs for Reusing Your 55-Gallon Drums

Since many 55-gallon drums may contain, or may have contained, hazardous materials that could contaminate groundwater or lead to personnel health and safety concerns, it is imperative that operators of solid waste facilities be informed about the best management practices for collecting and processing these drums.

Drums not properly managed can lead to expensive liabilities for communities or businesses, such as testing, removal, and disposal, as well as contaminated soil and groundwater that will also have to be disposed of properly or treated. For example, open drums that contain a residual product and that are allowed to collect rainwater - may overflow, leading to their contents being tested and handled as a hazardous waste.Collection and reuse of drums that have contained acutely hazardous materials, like pesticides or cyanides, is discouraged as the drums will contain residues of prior materials unless they are "triple rinsed." In addition, the residue on the bottom of one drum should not be added to the residue of another drum as this may lead to the mixing of incompatible materials or the accumulation of a hazardous waste mixture.

Drums Being Used or Collected for Reuse

Address the following if your drums are being used or are destined to be reused by solid waste facilities:

• Drums should be empty, with no residual materials inside, on the top or outside.
• Drums should be structurally sound, without big dents or rust.
• Drums should be located in areas clearly visible to prevent damage from motor vehicles.
• Open head drums should be covered with lids sealed by heavy-duty, bolt clamps, snap rings, or bungs.
• Drums should be placed off the ground on an impermeable surface in a covered containment area to prevent corrosion and discharges to groundwater.
• Drums should be stored away from the eaves of a roof and any heat sources.
• Drums should be located away from wetlands, surface water, wells, property lines, flood zones, and drainage areas.
• Drums should not be covered with other materials where they may become forgotten, knocked over, or develop unseen leaks.
• Drums being used should be labeled and face outward so as to be easily read, and accessible year-round in case of fire, removal or spills.
• Drums should be regularly inspected for structural integrity, e.g., rust, cracks, or leaks.

  Drums for Scrap Metal Recycling

  Drums collected for recycling as scrap metal should meet the following criteria:
  
  
• Empty drums should have the top and bottom removed by the generator before being accepted by the facility to prevent the accumulation of rainwater. A torch should not be used to remove the top or bottom of a drum as the drum may contain a flammable gas and could explode. Mechanical openers are commercially available and that should be used to accomplish this task.
• Drums should be clean.
• Drums should be flattened to save space.

Many communities that collect used oil for recycling, use drums to collect and store the used oil and/or used oil filters. Drums containing used oil must be labeled "Used Oil for Recycle," and drums containing used oil filters should be labeled “Used Oil Filters.”

The Bottom Line

All drums should be managed to prevent contamination. Keep your drums sealed, easily accessible,  and labeled, and frequently inspect them for possible leaks or spills.

Inspection Requirements of Hazardous Waste Containers

All containers used to hold hazardous waste are required to be in "good" condition. This means that the container cannot be rusty, have structural defects, or leak. If any of these conditions exist, the waste has to be transferred to a container in good condition, and any contamination must be cleaned up.

Containers holding hazardous waste must be closed at all times, except when adding or removing waste. The container may not be stored, handled, or opened in any way that would cause it to leak or rupture (e.g., the containers should not be stacked vertically).

Weekly Inspections

All containers and container areas must be inspected at least weekly to determine if there are any leaking containers or deterioration of containers and the containment system caused by corrosion or other conditions. If a leak or container deterioration is found, immediate action is required. TSDFs must keep records of inspections in a log or summary for 3 years following the date of inspection. Many experts, however, believe it is a good practice to keep all facility records for at least 5 years.
Note: Although generators must comply with the weekly inspection requirement, they are not required to record the inspections in a log or summary. It would be prudent, however, for generators to maintain such a log or summary. Some states explicitly require a log or summary in their regulations for generators.

Containers Sent to TSDFs

The air emissions standards for containers require the TSDF owner or operator receiving a container to visually inspect the container, its cover, and closure device in the closed position in order to determine that there are no visible openings or gaps through which organics could be emitted. This inspection must occur on or before the date that the container is accepted at the facility. In this context, "accepted" means the date of the facility owner's, or operator's signature on Item 20 of the manifest. If, however, the container is to be emptied within 24 hours after being accepted at the TSDF, the visual inspection is not required. If a defect is detected, repairs must commence within 24 hours of detection and be completed no later than 5 days after detection.

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The production of ammonia requires the adjustment of the stoichiometric nitrogen/hydrogen ratio to a value of 1:3.

The production of ammonia requires the adjustment of the stoichiometric nitrogen/hydrogen ratio to a value of 1:3.

Simultaneously other trace impurities like methane, argon and carbon monoxide (below 5ppm) should be removed to preferentially operate the ammonia synthesis in the absence of inert components. The liquid nitrogen wash is typically arranged downstream of the RECTISOL® srubbing process, if partial oxidation of coal or residue oil were selected as feedstock basis for ammonia production. The unit is generally supplied as an assembled coldbox and includes an upstream dryer unit.
Traces of water, carbon dioxide, solvent (methanol) are removed in the adsorber station. The process equipment of the cryogenic separation is installed in the coldbox, which is covered with a metal shell. The coldbox voidage is filled with insulation material (Perlite) to prevent heat input. The coldbox is typically completely prefabricated and delivered in one piece on site.

The Liquid Nitrogen Wash is mainly used to purify and prepare ammonia synthesis gas within fertilizer plants. It is usually the last purification step upstream of ammonia synthesis.
The liquid nitrogen wash has the function to remove residual impurities like CO, Ar and CH4 from a crude hydrogen stream and to establish a stoichiometric ratio H2 / N2 = 3:1. Carbon monoxide must be completely removed, since it is poisonous for the ammonia synthesis catalyst. Ar and CH4 are inert components enriching in the ammonia synthesis loop. If not removed, a syngas purge or expenditures for purge gas separation are required.
Raw hydrogen and high pressure nitrogen are fed to the liquid nitrogen wash unit. Both streams are cooled down against product gas. Feeding raw hydrogen to the bottom of the nitrogen wash column and some condensed nitrogen liquid to the top. Trace components are removed and separated as fuel gas. To establish the desired H2/N2 ratio, high pressure nitrogen is added to the process stream.
Manufacturing of cryogenic equipment and assembly as transportable coldbox is carried out in Linde workshops.

Reference

Customer:
Dalian Chemical Industrial Corp.

Process:Liquid nitrogen wash for the removal of CO, Ar and CH4 down-stream of the RECTISOL® wash

Capacity:85,000 Nm³/feed gas, equivalent to 1,000 t/d of ammonia

Scope of work:General contract for turn-key project, process, basic and detail engineering, manufacturing of equipment, supervision of commissioning and start-up.

Linde AG, Engineering Division

Dr.-Carl-von-Linde-Strasse 6-14
82049 Pullach
Germany
Phone +49.89.7445-3540
Fax     +49.89.7445-4979

Loss On Ignition (L.O.I.)

Loss On Ignition (L.O.I.)

Loss On Ignition

 

Loss On Ignition

Method

1.    Dry crucibles at 105 ^oC for at least 1hour

2.    Cool in dessicator for 30 minutes .

3.    Weigh crucible (W_C)

4.    Add sample, say about half full

5.    Dry crucible + sample in oven (preferably 105 ^oC overnight)

6.    Cool crucible in dessicator & reweigh (W_S)

7.    Place crucible onto the furnace tray and put tray (remember to have the hole nearest you in order to use the extraction tool later on) into furnace at 500 ^oC - leave for 4 hours

8.    Using the special tool, extract furnace tray, and place tray onto asbestos sheet for at least 5 minutes to initially cool, before placing crucibles in a dessicator to fully cool

9.    Reweigh crucible + ash (W_A)

                   (W_S) - (W_A)

Calculation : Loss on ignition   =      ----------------- * 100%

                   (W_S) - (W_C)

Carbonate content by LOI
It is possible to obtain an estimate of the carbonate content of a soil sample by Loss on Ignition. After performing the normal LOI analysis described above, the sample is placed back in the furnace again (now at 850°C) and left for another hour. After taking out and cooling, the crucibles are reweighed (W_co3).
The carbonate content can be calculated as (W_co3- W_A) / (W_S) - (W_C)

Make Sample powders ready by drying over night !

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Instruments:

This is the oven (Muffeloffen) in which we heat the ceramic crucibles.
It is easily programmable (see text).

Note: Always wear a lab coat, safety goggles, and the appropriate gloves. Take Jewelery and watches off your hands, they conduct the heat very well. When you take the samples out of the oven, the metal heats up faster than your skin and that is where you get burns.

Scale:

The mass of the ceramic crucible has to be known empty,
together with raw sample, and after ignition
together with net sample mass (see text).

For instructions on how to calibrate the scale if necessary, see "Glass Bead Powder Preparation".

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Instructions:

Determining the Loss On Ignition (L.O.I.)

Material:

weighing:

• ceramic crucible (glass cupboard)
• powder spatula (drawer)
• dried sample powders in jars
• acetone, Kimwipes
• form „L.O.I.“ - 

Ignition

• heated oven (Muffelofen)
  
• long tongs
  
• large leather gloves
  
• small Nomex® gloves (densely woven cotton)
  
• protection glasses with light filter
  
• fiber ceramic plate
  
• desiccator with blue drying agent (if it appears pink, it has to be placed into the drying oven for dehydration, in the large ceramic bowl)
  

Drying and using the oven

Let the sample drying in its open sample glass bottle in the hot-air cabinet for at least 6 hours (best overnight) at 105-110°C in order to remove remaining moisture (in earlier times called H₂O^-). The oven (Muffelofen) has to be pre-heated. On maximum heating rate, it takes about 2 h. If it is switched off, any temperature programming might be lost. Note that the display is in minutes. It is preferable to program it the night before, so that you can start using it right away once you arrive in the morning.


Sample amount

• 1.7 g sample powder for normal silicate rocks (L.O.I. of 1-10 wt.-%),
  
• 1.8 g sample powder for chlorite-rich or serpentinitic rocks (L.O.I. of 10-20 wt.-%),
  
• 2.3 g sample powder for carbonaceous rocks (L.O.I. of 30-50 wt.-%).
  

Weigh the empty ceramic crucible exactly and note the mass (n₁) on the L.O.I. form. Slowly add the powder with the spatula and note the total mass (n₂ = ceramic crucible + sample powder). No exactly mass of sample is necessary but to determine it with an accuracy of 0.1 mg (0.0001g).

Ignition

Place the crucibles (numbered at bottom) into the oven and burn them red-hot at least 1 hour at 1050°C (1070°C if amphiboles >5%vol). Take the crucibles out and place them onto the fibre ceramic plate (at the Bunsen burner). After 5 minutes it is cold enough to handle it with a Nomex®-glove and place it into the desiccator. This protects your fingers and ensures that no skin fat or tissue is stuck to the crucible which would contribute to errors of the weighing result.

Calculate L.O.I.

Weigh the crucible cold, always 10 minutes after removing it from the oven. Room temperature is reached in the crucible after ca. 5 minutes. If the crucible is still too hot, the air in the closed weighing chamber would be heated up, expanding and press on the scale. In experiments performed in this lab, it became obvious that the error due to adsorption of air moisture becomes negligible after 10 minutes. After 15 to 20 minutes though, recarbonatisation plays an increasingly significant role. Note its total mass (n₃) and calculate the L.O.I. using this formula:


Formula for L.O.I. :

L.O.I. (weight %) = 100 x ( (n₂-n₃) / (n₂-n₁) )

The L.O.I. is made of contributions from:


Volatile compounds :
H₂O+, CO₂, F, Cl, S; in parts also K, Na (if heated for too long);

Added compounds :
O₂ (oxidation, e.g. FeO to Fe₂O₃), later CO₂ (CaO to CaCO₃).


NOTE: For later interpretation of the results of measurement:
Due to the escape of volatiles, there will be an increase of mass among all other oxides. By oxidizing FeO to Fe₂O₃, the value of Fe₂O_{3 total} increases but all other oxides will be mass-reduced. These changes in concentration are considered in the calculation of the analysis data.

Rehomogenization

The burned off sample has to be rehomogenized in an agate mortar until the compound has a uniform colour. Depending on rock chemistry, at 1050° C and following cooling, a sintering, partial glass formation, or partial crystallization might occur. The grinding of the sinter optimizes the homogeneity and reduces the analytical errors.

National Safety Council (India)

National Safety Council
Abbreviation	NSC
Formation	4th March, 1966
Purpose/focus	Industrial Safety
Headquarters	Plot No.98-A, Institutional Area, Sector 15, CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai - 400 614
Region served	India
Main organ	Council
Affiliations	Ministry of Labour, Govt. of India
Website	Official website

National Safety Council is a premier, non-profit, self-financing and tripartite apex body at the national level in India.It is an autonomous body, which was setup by the Government of India, Ministry of Labour and Employment in 4th March 1966 to generate, develop and sustain a voluntary movement on Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) at the national level. It was registered as a Society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and subsequently, as a Public Trust under the Bombay Public Trust Act, 1950.

Vision

Serving the Society by creating a preventive culture, scientific mindset and organised approach to SHE issues. It is our belief that these issues are a basic humanitarian concern. We equally believe that their effective addressal is greatly facilitated if their intrinsic relationship with quality and productivity is well demonstrated.

Activities

• Conducting specialised training Courses, Conferences, Seminars & Workshops all over the Nation
• Conducting consultancy studies such as Safety Audits, Hazard Evaluation, Emergency Management Planning & Risk Assessment
• Designing and developing HSE promotional materials & publications
• Facilitating organisations in celebrating various campaigns e.g. Road safety week, Safety Day, Fire Service Week, World Environment Day
• Organised many national and international conferences e.g. XIII World Congress (1993) and XI APOSHO Conference (1995) and implemented many a prestigious project

A computerised Management Information Service has been established for collection, retrieval and dissemination of information to achieve its Objective^[2] .

Risk Management: Understanding the General Duty Clause

It’s no surprise that this can be tricky for a company—there is no specific list of substances subject to the general duty provisions. The general duty provisions apply to owners and operators of all stationary sources that store or manufacture any extremely hazardous substances. There is no single list of extremely hazardous substances.
What Do You Need to Do?
While facilities that have processes that use a listed substance above the threshold limit must prepare RMPs, there are no requirements for processes that use an extremely hazardous substance below the threshold levels. At a minimum level, though, owners and operators must:

• Identify all hazardous chemicals used or produced at the facility. This includes more than the listed chemicals.
• Identify the hazards associated with the chemicals using appropriate hazard assessment and techniques. This could include modeling, risk assessment, or engineering calculations to determine the distance a toxic chemical can travel and still be lethal. The assessment should result in the following information:
• The hazards associated with each extremely hazardous substance
• The potential release scenarios
• The consequences associated with each release scenario
• Design and maintain a safe facility for processes that involve hazardous chemicals:
• Follow applicable design codes, applicable standards, and industry standards.
• Identify, research, and apply design safety codes applicable to the substance in the process.
• Consider risks from adjacent processes.
• Update equipment to current codes and standards.
• Attempt to substitute less hazardous substances for extremely hazardous substances.
• Minimize inventories of extremely hazardous substances.
• Implement a quality control program.
• Develop written standard operating procedures for each aspect of the process.
• Implement and evaluate training programs for employees on the hazards of the processes and substances.
• When changes occur, evaluate how they impact any of the identified hazards.
• Investigate any incidents and determine if there are ways to prevent similar occurrences.
• Perform self-audits.
• Take appropriate measures to prevent releases and minimize the consequences of any accidental release that may occur. Appropriate measures may include:
• Identifying impacted populations
• Procedures to stop further releases or to mitigate the effects of a release
• Identifying emergency response equipment
• Coordinating with local emergency planning and response personnel
• Training employees to recognize abnormal situations
• Conducting periodic exercises to ensure that the measures are adequate.

Solvent Vapors: What Are the Risks?

 Inhalation is a common risk of working with solvents. Once inhaled, solvent vapors can quickly move into the bloodstream.

• Inhalation of solvent vapors will often start with symptoms such as headache or dizziness.
• Workers who inhale vapors in high enough concentrations might also feel nausea and might vomit.
• After being exposed to solvent vapors, employees might feel tired and drowsy for a while.
• Many people will also experience a sore throat along with respiratory irritation and trouble breathing.
• Blurred vision may also occur after breathing a heavy concentration of solvent vapor.
• And, if workers are exposed to high concentrations of solvent vapors for too long, they could become unconscious.

Fortunately, in cases of inhalation of low concentrations of solvent vapors, symptoms often pass relatively quickly without causing permanent damage.
Workers who are exposed to solvent liquids and vapors for many years, however, can suffer more serious health problems.
The long-term effect of solvent exposure depends on the type of solvent as well as the length of exposure. Examples of long-term health hazards include:

• Throat and lung damage
• Liver and kidney damage
• Central nervous system damage
• Cancer, which can occur in the liver, kidneys, and lungs.

First Aid for Solvent Exposures

The first-aid procedures discussed below are appropriate for most solvents. However, you should train employees to always consult the label and SDS for specific first-aid procedures for the particular solvent.

• If symptoms associated with breathing solvent vapors—such as dizziness or upset stomach—develop, move away from the work area and get some fresh air. If that doesn’t help, seek medical attention.
• If solvent splashes into the eyes, go immediately to an eyewash station, hold eyelids open, and flush the eye with water for at least 15 minutes. If the eye still burns or you have difficulty seeing, seek medical attention.
• If solvent gets on the skin, wash the area immediately with soap and water. Remove any clothing that was splashed. If skin irritation or a rash develops later, see a doctor.
• If solvents are accidentally swallowed, immediate medical attention is necessary. First aid for ingestion of solvents varies depending on the substance involved. Check the label and SDS and/or call the poison center. Even with first aid, get to a doctor right away.

Company to Pay $225K for RMP General Duty Clause Violations

A cold storage and ice manufacturing company has agreed to pay penalties of $225,000 to settle claims by EPA that the company violated federal Clean Air Act (CAA) requirements meant to prevent chemical releases relating to its use of ammonia at facilities located in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

According to a recent EPA complaint, the company failed to put in place a required Risk Management Plan (RMP) for ammonia used in the refrigeration system at its Rhode Island facility, in violation of the federal CAA. EPA also alleged that the company violated CAA's General Duty Clause, which applies to facilities where extremely hazardous substances such as ammonia are present, at its Massachusetts location.

Under the General Duty Clause, owners and operators of these facilities are required to identify hazards, design and maintain the facility in a safe manner, taking steps to prevent accidental releases of the extremely hazardous substance, and take steps to minimize the consequences of any accidental releases that occur. EPA says the company had not taken required steps to design and maintain a safe facility or taken precautions that would minimize the consequences of an accidental release of ammonia, if one were to occur, at its Massachusetts facility.

For example, according to EPA, they failed to:

• Provide mechanical ventilation;
• Provide working ammonia detectors and an emergency shutdown switch for the machinery room;
• Develop operating procedures and a comprehensive mechanical integrity program; and,
• Train employees in the proper operation of the system at the Massachusetts facility.

Ammonia presents a significant health hazard because it is corrosive to the skin, eyes, and lungs. Exposure to 300 parts per million (ppm) is immediately dangerous to life and health. Ammonia is also flammable at concentrations of about 15 percent to 28 percent by volume in air. It can explode if it is released in an enclosed space with a source of ignition present, or if a vessel containing anhydrous ammonia is exposed to fire.

RMPs required under the CAA and steps required under the General Duty Clause, help prevent accidental releases of substances that can cause serious harm to the public and the environment from short-term exposures and reduces the severity of releases that do occur. A company that fails to take these steps can leave the public and environment at risk from accidental releases.
According to EPA, both facilities are located less than a fifth of a mile from residential homes, and less than a quarter of a mile from retail and office areas.
EPA learned about the company's facilities following an inspection of the Massachusetts facility in November 2011. After EPA’s inspection, the company developed and submitted an RMP for its Rhode Island facility, and the company is currently working to fix problems identified at the Massachusetts facility. For example, the company has installed an ammonia detector and investigated and corrected pipe corrosion and vibration problems noted by EPA inspectors. The company also plans to install a ventilation fan and an emergency shutdown switch and to prepare and implement an improved maintenance program for the system.

General Duty Clause and Risk Management

Even if a facility does not have a listed substance above the threshold limit or has reconfigured or taken an enforceable limit to avoid having to submit an RMP, a facility may still have responsibilities. 42 USC 7412(r)(1) requires the owner or operator of a stationary source that produces, processes, handles, or stores any listed substance or other extremely hazardous substance to identify hazards that may result from the release of these chemicals.
While the statute states that no liability or basis for suit resulting from a release is created by the section, the General Duty Clause clearly implies the need for a source to carefully look at its processes and take steps to reduce the amount and effects of an accidental release.

Solving the Solvent Problem- CHEMICAL SAFETY

Solvents are certainly useful in many workplaces but can also be hazardous to health and may cause fires, explosions, and contamination.
Solvents are common in many workplaces, but that doesn't mean workers don't need to be careful. Like other chemicals, solvents can be hazardous if stored or handled improperly.
When employees work with solvents, they have to be trained to follow basic safety procedures to prevent accidents and illness, including these six key work practices:

• Don’t eat, drink, or keep food and beverages in solvent areas. This increases the chances worker could accidentally ingest solvents.
• Don’t wash hands with solvents. Exposing skin to solvents could result in a rash, dryness, or other skin problems. Worse, dangerous solvents to get through the skin into the bloodstream and make workers sick.
• Always wear required PPE to prevent hazardous exposures to solvents.
• Remove PPE carefully when done working to avoid getting solvents on the skin.
• Wash thoroughly after working with solvents—and before eating, drinking, or using the rest room. Employees should also wash before leaving their work area for other parts of the facility. Failing to do so could spread chemical contamination to other parts of the facility and put other employees at risk.
• Store solvents properly to prevent fires, and dispose of waste solvents correctly according to the instructions you've been trained to follow.

You can protect employees even more by substituting less hazardous solvents whenever possible to minimize the risk of harmful exposures.

Ignition Sources

Some solvents, like acetone, are very flammable. Flammable solvents tend to evaporate at lower temperatures and give off more vapors, which are easily ignited, resulting in fire.
There are many potential sources of ignition for solvents. For example:

• Cigarettes are an obvious concern. Even in outside areas, smoking should not be permitted within 25 feet of a flammable solvent storage or dispensing area.
• Welding and cutting operations could ignite solvents and should therefore never be conducted near solvents. Generally, a 30-foot area around a welding location should be cleared of solvents and other flammable and combustible materials.
• Static electricity can also ignite flammable liquids. Grounding and bonding containers is therefore required when dispensing flammable solvents.
• Sparks from machinery or combustion engines such as grinders or backfiring forklifts could also ignite solvents.
• Heat from hot surfaces or machinery could ignite solvents as well and so could a short circuit in electrical equipment, including electrical panels, conduits, and outlets.Remember, too, that solvent fires may not only be hazardous because of the flames, but also because when some solvents burn, they produce a hazardous by-product that can be highly toxic.
  Engineering controls such as local exhaust and general area ventilation can help keep solvent vapors at safe levels. Closed processes may be required in some work situations. And when levels can't be adequately controlled, respiratory protection is required.
•  

Impacts of the pulp and paper sector on climate change

The pulp and paper industry’s most significant impact on climate occurs during the pulp and paper manufacturing process.

 

Actually, this energy intensive industry often depends on fossil energy sources such as coal, and is the fourth largest emitter of industrial greenhouse gases (Environmental Paper Network, 2007).

In fact, the largest share of greenhouse gas released in pulp and paper manufacturing comes from the energy production to power the mills. Greenhouse gases are the main source of climate changeglobal warming.

The disposal of used paper also contributes to climate change.

Paper emits methane (a greenhouse gas) when it rots, while it also releases the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO₂) when it is composted or burned.

Impacts of pulp and paper production

Some actors in the pulp and paper industry are leaving an unacceptably large ecological footprint on the planet. Irresponsible pulpwood harvesting and expanding pulpwood plantations can threaten fragile ecosystems and create social problems.

 

What is WWF doing to reduce the environmental impacts of the pulp and paper sector?

In some places, such as in Indonesia, deforestation caused by unsustainable pulpwood harvesting contributes to climate change.

The pulp and paper manufacturing industry is among the world’s largest users of energy and emitters of greenhouse gases, and a significant source of water pollution and landfill waste.

Find out more about the impacts of the pulp and paper industry on:

• Forests

  Impacts of the pulp and paper sector on forests

  Paper production is causing a large ecological footprint on forests, as around 40% of the world’s commercially cut timber is processed for paper.

   
  While some of this timber is grown in well-managed forests, too much of it is the result of illegal logging and the irresponsible destruction of old-growth and high conservation value forests.
  
  Some proposed new pulpwood plantations and mills threaten natural habitats in many places with high conservation values.
  
  For example, the remaining natural forests in Sumatra, Borneo, New Guinea, Russian Far East, Southern Chile and the Atlantic forest region in Brazil are endangered because of growing demand for pulpwood, among other threats.
  
  Forests also maintain the world’s abundant biodiversity, essential for life on Earth. The activities of the pulp and paper sector in these places threaten the habitats of several rare wildlife species such as Asian big cats (including tigers), Asian elephant, Asian rhinos, and orangutans.
• Water quality & quantity

Use paper more efficiently

Copying images on both sides of a sheet of paper can save up to 50% of paper costs.

Copying images on both sides, or duplexing, saves money on paper purchasing, as well as on storage and mailing. Duplex copies are also easier to fold and staple. While some prints and copies need to be single-sided, most do not.

Set defaults on computers

• Set defaults to double sided. Select one-sided printing only when really needed.
• Print double-sided for bills, applications, licenses and other paper-intensive activities.
• For help how to set default settings
• If your printer cannot double-side then find out whether your printer can be fitted with a duplexing unit to enable it to print double-sided.
• Make “rethink” messages appear on screen when a print command is given 
  

Change your computer’s default settings so that you can put more text on each page.

• In MS Word, go to "File", then to "Page Setup". Then choose "Reduce the Margins" and set your margins to smaller numbers. Compared to the normal settings, you could use up to 14% less paper!
• When you are printing, reduce font size to 10 point to decrease the amount of paper required.

Post in-house reminders about efficient paper use near the copy machine and/or each workstation

• Use both sides of the sheet of paper, whether for copying or printing.
• Print only the pages you need by using the "Print Selection" function.
• Print documents 2-UP or 4-UP per page for archival purposes and where possible. Customized software can increase the document-per-page capabilities of your printer.
• Reduce margins.
• Use the print preview function before printing any word or excel document to avoid copy-mistakes.
• Use a small font size to reduce the number of pages printed
• Use efficient fonts like Times New Roman or Arial. These fonts use significantly less space.
  

Use your fax effectively

• Send a fax or Word document without printing first! Simply use the menus in Word:  choose "File", then "Send to", then "Fax Recipient", and then follow the instructions. This allows faxes to be sent from computers without the need to print first. It also allows faxes to be received in an e-mail rather than printed copy format. Help on this should be available from your  IT department 
• When sending a paper fax, eliminate cover sheets and use fax stick-on labels instead.
• Program your fax to eliminate confirmation sheets

Practice image reduction
The ability to reduce or enlarge images is common on copiers. Image reduction is also possible with printing.

• For example, when copying a book, one can often get two original pages on to one side of the copied sheet. Because reduction works in two dimensions, you only need to reduce by 30% (to 70%) to cut in half the area of an image.
• While reproducing entire standard pages requires a 35% reduction (to 65%), books often have smaller than standard pages and most documents have larger than necessary margins, so the reduction can usually be less than this.

Practice preventive copier maintenance

• Keep copiers and printers in good repair and make it your company’s policy to only buy copiers and printers that make reliable double-sided copies.
• Let your copier maintenance person know when a copier is performing poorly (toner is low, jams frequently, etc.). Regular copier maintenance is important, especially if the toner is low. Many times copiers are used until all the toner is gone and that wears down machines. A copier that works well is less likely to jam and this helps save paper!

Think before you print

Pushing the print button is too easy...and wasteful. So much paper is wasted by printing out single line e-mails or printing out unnecessary copies of documents.

Businesses should carefully assess their needs before ordering bulk print copies of information materials, like annual reports or brochures. In many cases hundreds, if not thousands, of unused copies end up in storage rooms clogging up storage space.

Easy ways to reduce wasteful paper use

Post in-house reminders near copy machines or individual desktops

• Use catchy slogans like:  “Do you really need to print that?” or “Do you know how many sheets of paper you used last month?”

Track personal printing "footprints"

• Create systems that allow staff to measure how many print copies they are personally responsible for each month. Most people are shocked to find out how much the consume. This knowledge will motivate people to reduce their personal paper footprint.
• By tracking individual printing quantities, staff will be able to measure changes over time. One way to promote less printing is by running in-house competitions for “Paper Saving Champion” of the month – whoever prints the least copies wins!

Reduce print runs

• Undergo an inventory to identify past printing jobs for which too many copies were ordered. This will help ensure that the quantity ordered matches demand for printing jobs in the future.
• Publicize the results of your inventory in-house on the office notice board or in the company newsletter.
  
• Create a checklist for those departments which order informational materials. The checklist should include asking:
• How many required recipients and back-up copies are needed.
• Are you sure these target groups will need a hard copy of the report or is it enough to point them to a website?
• Do they need to be proactively sent the hard copy or is it sufficient to make it available upon request?
• Do you need in-house copies for all staff or can copies be held in communal areas/on notice boards?
• How many reserve copies do you require and why? For what events or purposes?
• Who will distribute or oversee the distribution of the reserve copies?

Review distribution lists frequently

• Eliminate outdated or unnecessary recipients.
• See if destinations with many recipients can make do with fewer copies.

Conduct paper-less meetings

• When you hold a meeting, do you really need to have hard copies of preparatory materials available for each participant?
• Encourage people to use their computers for reviewing documents and note-making
• Make sure meeting participants have electronic access to all the materials beforehand. Encourage those using computers not to print out copies. If you must, supply additional materials at the meeting. Consider burning CDs for all participants.
• Make copies “as needed” rather than in large batches at one time. Frequently, extra copies of important internal documents become outdated quickly and only end up being discarded. Making copies as needed can reduce this problem significantly.

How you can save paper

Paper is too valuable to waste

Around the world we use 1 million tonnes of paper every day. Too much of this paper usage is wasteful and unnecessary and puts huge pressures on the environment.

What can I do?

• Individuals: Save paper at home and at the office
• Businesses: Buy responsibly-produced paper for my business & make my pulp/paper business more sustainable
  

Why save paper? 

Paper usage in many parts of the word is on the rise. Expanding production and pulp wood harvesting threatens some of the last remaining natural forests and the people and wildlife that depend on them.

The world´s paper hunger also significantly contributes to climate change.

Easier than you think

There are many easy ways for individuals and businesses to reduce their paper use and costs. Reductions of 20% or more are possible in most offices.

 

Potential savings are up to 10 times the purchasing costs of paper, through reducing the cost of storage, toner, printing, labour, postage and disposal.

Here are practical tips to help you at home or at the office to implement a cost-saving, paper reduction programme.

Follow the golden rule: think before you print

Pushing the print button is too easy...and wasteful. So the next time you are about to press that button, ask yourself the golden rule of saving paper: Do I really need to print this?

Use both sides of the sheet of paper

This is a real easy way of reducing your paper consumption by 50%. Set your printer or copier’s defaults to double sided. Select one-sided printing only when really needed. Find out more ►

Avoid printing out single line e-mails or unnecessary copies of documents

Again just follow the golden rule and ask yourself whether you really need to the print.

Use technology

Electronic mail, Internet, Intranets and document scanners can radically reduce paper use, while also saving you time and money. Find out more ►

Recycle the paper you have and ask for recycled paper products

Collect the paper you use and then reuse where possible (print again on the other side if you printed on one side only or use it for note paper). And when you do have to buy new paper make sure it is recycled.

Save paper in your workplace

Reductions of 20% or more are possible in most offices. So ask your office manager what they are doing to reduce paper. Remind them that saving paper isn’t just about protecting the environment; it can also save them a lot of money!

Also:

• Use thinner paper and reduce unwanted mail
• reuse paper

Save Water

Using water efficiently at, INDUSTRY  home, at school, and at the office helps protect freshwater resources.

Use less

How much perfectly good water do you waste down the drain?

Using water more efficiently not only saves water, it can also lower greenhouse gas emissions – public water systems require a lot of energy to purify and distribute water to households.

And using less hot water saves further emissions, as less energy is used to heat the water.

• Turn off the tap. Don't let the water run while shaving, brushing teeth or washing vegetables. 

• Fix dripping taps. A tap dripping 45 times per minute wastes around 1,000 litres of water a month, the equivalent of 10 baths per year.

• Take short showers instead of a bath. Make sure too that the water thermostat isn’t set above 60°C (140°F).

• Install water-saving, low-flow shower heads. These deliver good performance for only half of the water use (5-7 litres per minute instead of 10-18 litres per minute; a savings of 70,000 litres over 10 years).

• Install a flush saver on your toilet. Two-button double flush toilets let you control how much water you use.
  

Collect and reuse

• Collect rainwater. Why waste drinking water on the lawn? Get a water tank (butt) and use rainwater to water plants instead.

• Collect rinsing water. You can also reuse water from washing vegetables and rinsing lightly soiled dishes to water garden or house plants.

Concrete things you can do to help our living planet

Reduce your impact

Concrete things you can do to help our living planet

We all need to make better choices in what we consume and how we produce and use energy.

To reduce our ecological footprint our actions must address the sources of the biggest impacts we humans have on our planet: energy use and eating.

You might be surprised to discover that while we all need to make lifestyle changes, saving the planet doesn't have to mean giving up the things you love.

© WWF

Measure your impact

The first thing is to get an idea of your your own personal Footprint.

Everything we do makes a demand on nature. The food we eat, the clothes we buy, the way we travel, everything.

Added together, the demands made by each and every one of us – humanity's Ecological Footprint – are far too much for our planet. 50% too much, in fact.

A good start for lightening your load on our planet is to first understand where your own impacts come from.

• Get a rough estimate of your Footprint – and explore what actions you can take to reduce it.

© Chris Martin Bahr / WWF-Canon

• The Ecological Footprint is an indicator of human pressure on nature. 
• Humanity is currently using the renewable resources of 1.5 Earths to meet our yearly demands for energy, food, shelter, and the things we do and buy.
• People living in richer, more developed countries generally have a higher Footprint than those living in less developed countries.  

Reduce your carbon emissions

Without question, the most important thing we can do for our planet is to drastically reduce our CO₂ emissions.

Simple and immediate ways that you can reduce your carbon footprint include:

• being energy efficient

• buying renewable energy

• making better travel choices

© WWF-Canon / Adam OSWELL

• The amount of CO₂ and other greenhouse gases released by human activities is far more than ecosystems can absorb.
• These excess gases are responsible for climate change – the greatest threat to biodiversity and humanity this century. 
• Our carbon footprint accounts for over half our total Ecological Footprint.

Use your consumer power

One of the greatest day-to-day positive impacts you can have is simply to be an informed and selective shopper.

Your position as a consumer gives you tremendous power. If you reject food and goods produced in an unsustainable manner, and instead choose environmentally friendly alternatives, the companies will listen – and change their practices.

In particular:

• Watch what you eat

• Watch your soaps and cosmetics too

• Choose good wood

• Don't flush forests down the toilet

• Choose energy-efficient appliances & electronics

© WWF-Canon / Richard Stonehouse

• Unsustainable agricultural and fishing practices are some of the greatest threats to species and habitats around the world.
• High demand for timber in Europe, Japan, the US and China drives illegal logging - one of the main causes of forest loss.
• Every day, about 270,000 trees are flushed down the drain or end up as garbage all over the world.

Reduce, reuse, recycle

This mantra should be first and foremost when making decisions as part of our daily lives – at work, on vacation, when we're out shopping, and at home.

In particular, we can all work to:

• save water
• save paper

Carbon Footprint Reduction

For Organisations

Many businesses are taking the lead through enviromental policies and actions.

 Energy Performance Programme

Practical, year-round support giving you a rapid return on investment. Saving energy and money is a priority in your business. In addition, the ability to build, promote and sustain your products and services as ‘low carbon’ to meet your supply chain demands are equally important. Our Energy Performance Programme (EPP) provides you with a fuss free and completely independent way to assess and design out carbon and cost from your products & services, delivering a rapid return on investment. You may face pressures to reduce energy due to the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC EES). You may just want to save on utility bills.

Stage 1 - Essential EPP

• Initial in depth on-site energy survey of your business facilities
• Detailed energy report and recommendations (with calculated ROI’s)
• Stakeholder review meeting to discuss the report and recommendations with your key colleagues, answer any specific questions and help you to gain support for your programme
• Four quarterly energy review telecom meetings to help you keep your programme on track, answer your questions and update you on relevant regulations
• 
  

Stage 2 - Implementation EPP

Tailored implementation support, where & when you need it.

• Draft an Energy Roadmap
• Feasibility study, specification for a specific technology or solution
• Market research into a specific solution
• Process reductions support
• Behavioural change reductions support
• On-site or remote support to tackle specific energy problems

Stage 3 – Reassessment EPP

Your Energy Performance Programme should be a cyclical process. Once you have embedded the EPP into your business we recommend a repeat energy survey to assess your performance and help you identify further savings.

For Individuals

Here's a list of simple things you can do immediately

• Turn it off when not in use (lights, television, DVD player, Hi Fi, computer etc. etc. 

• Turn down the central heating slightly (try just 1 to 2 degrees C). Just 1 degree will help reduce your heating bill by about 8%.

• Turn down the water heating setting (just 2 degrees will make a significant saving)

• Check the central heating timer setting - remember there is no point heating the house after you have left for work

• Fill your dish washer and washing machine with a full load - this will save you water, electricity, and washing powder

• Fill the kettle with only as much water as you need

• Do your weekly shopping in a single trip

• Hang out the washing to dry rather than tumble drying it

The following is a list of items that may take an initial investment, but should pay for themselves over the course of 1-4 years through savings on your energy bills.

• Fit energy saving light bulbs

• Install thermostatic valves on your radiators

• Insulate your hot water tank, your loft and your walls

• Installing cavity wall installation

• By installing 180mm thick loft insulation

• Recycle your grey water

• Replace your old fridge / freezer (if it is over 15 years old), with a new one with energy efficiency rating of "A"

• Replace your old boiler with a new energy efficient condensing boiler

Travel less and travel more carbon footprint friendly.

• Car share to work, or for the kids school run

• Use the bus or a train rather than your car

• For short journeys either walk or cycle

• Try to reduce the number of flights you take

• See if your employer will allow you to work from home one day a week

• Next time you replace your car - check out diesel engines. With one of these you can even make your own Biodiesel fuel. Find out more about Biodiesel.

• When staying in a hotel - turn the lights and air-conditioning off when you leave your hotel room, and ask for your room towels to be washed every other day, rather than every day

As well as your primary carbon footprint, there is also a secondary footprint that you cause through your buying habits.

• Don't buy bottled water if your tap water is safe to drink

• Buy local fruit and vegetables, or even try growing your own

• Buy foods that are in season locally

• Don't buy fresh fruit and vegetables which are out of season, they may have been flown in

• Reduce your consumption of meat

• Try to only buy products made close to home (look out and avoid items that are made in the distant lands)

• Buy organic produce

• Don't buy over packaged products

• Recycle as much as possible

• Think carefully about the type of activities you do in your spare time. Do any of these cause an increase in carbon emissions? e.g. Saunas, Health clubs, restaurants and pubs, go-karting etc. etc...

Climate Change

Climate Change & Global Warming are the names given by scientists for the gradual increase in temperature of the Earth's surface that has worsened since the industrial revolution. Over the past two decades the effect has become more marked. Considerable evidence exists that most of this warming has been caused by human activities... that's to say we have altered the chemical composition of the atmosphere through a buildup of greenhouse gases – primarily carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. What if we do nothing? Rising global temperatures will cause sea level to rise and alter local climate conditions, affecting forests, crop yields, and water supplies. It may also affect human health, animals, and many types of ecosystems. Deserts may expand and some of our countryside may be permanently altered. What will happen in the future if we do nothing? Climate model simulations predict an increase in average surface air temperature of about 2.5°C by the year 2100 (Kattenberg et al., 1996). The likelihood of "killer" heat waves during the warm season will increase (Karl et al., 1997) The IPCC Second Assessment Report estimates that sea-levels will rise by approximately 49 cm over the next 100 years, with a range of uncertainty of 20-86 cm. Sea-level rise will lead to increased coastal flooding through direct inundation and an increase in the base for storm surges, allowing flooding of larger areas and higher elevations. Further melting of the Arctic Ice Caps (at the current rate) could be sufficient to turn off the ocean currents that drive the Gulf Stream, which keeps Britain up to 6°C warmer than it would otherwise be. What can I do? You have to go to work and we all like being consumers - but there are many ways you can help. Firstly, you need to recognise how you personally impact global warming. Carbon Footprint will show you how to minimise your impact - starting today - and show you how to make the right product choices in the future. In February 2007, the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) issued its latest assessment report on climate change, which concluded that global warming is "unequivocal" and gave the strongest warning yet that it is very likely (> 90%) caused by human activities The evidence for global warming and climate change includes the following:- Sea temperatures have risen by on average 0.5 degrees C (0.9 degree F) over the last 40 years [Tim Barnett, Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, California] 20,000 square kilometers of fresh water ice melted in the Arctic between 1965 and 1995 [Ruth Curry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Connecticut] Worldwide measurements from tidal gauges indicate that global mean sea level has risen between 10 and 25 cm (18 cm average) during the last 100 years [Warrick et al., 1996] Global surface temperatures have risen about 0.7°C in the past 100 years [Met Office] 11 of the last 12 years rank amongst the 12 warmest years on record for global temperatures (since 1850) [IPCC, 2007] Since 1975, the increase of the 5-year mean temperature is about 0.5°C - a rate that is faster than for any previous period of equal length [NASA, 1999] Average annual temperature in the Arctic has increased by about 1° C over the last century -- a rate that is approximately double that of global average temperatures [IPCC, 1998]

• There is widespread evidence that glaciers are retreating in many mountain areas of the world. For example, since 1850 the glaciers of the European Alps have lost about 30 to 40% of their surface area and about half of their volume [Haeberli and Beniston, 1998]

Persistent Plastic

Persistent Plastic
by Marisa Buxbaum



$/ton is the environmental impact cost of manufacturing each plastic. HDPE, LDPE, PP, and PS have roughly the same environmental impact rating. PETE is about twice as high as these four. PVC is nearly six times higher than PETE primarily because of carcinogenic emissions. Only 1.8% of packaging plastic is recycled.
Source: ashlandfood.coop


Anyone who has ever struggled with opening a new CD, or cut themselves on the sharp plastic of those pesky clamshell containers, has felt the annoyance caused by packaging. Our irritation is sparked as we wrestle those darned twisty-ties, or break a nail trying to remove the stubborn wrapping on the cap of our favorite condiment. Some of us may wonder if all that plastic obstruction is necessary, or what happens to the remains of the offending wrapper. When you trash the plastic wrap and Styrofoam and Ziploc bags, where do they go? For that matter, what happens to all the other plastic disposables – from cutlery to water bottles – that have arisen to accommodate the throwaway, consumer lifestyle?

In an ecological sense, they go nowhere. Although transported from place to place, plastic packaging and other non-biodegradable disposables are the most persistent and infrequently recycled forms of waste. Every piece of plastic that has ever been produced is still in existence, with much of it collecting in our landfills and environment.  Roughly one third of municipal waste in the U.S. is comprised of discarded packaging. Most everything we buy these days is sold to us in some form of packaging, used to protect the enclosed product and advertise its value. These products may be customary and convenient, but they have serious consequences that affect our ecosystems and our health. An examination of the chemical components of commonly used plastics, as well as their manufacture and disposal, paints an unsustainable picture.




Total 2009 U.S. municipal solid waste generation, 243 million tons. www.epa.gov



Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, (#3) is an integral component of packaging plastics and a major environmental offender, generating greenhouse gases and toxic byproducts in its manufacture. Chlorine’s chemical structure makes these byproducts especially predisposed to buildup in the environment and in the bodies of animals and people. DEHP, a softening plasticizer that is added to PVC and labeled a potential carcinogen by the EPA, is prone to leaching. This is worrisome, since PVC’s most common food-based applications are in cling wrap (used to package supermarket goods, or to preserve leftovers at home) and some food (squeeze bottles) and cooking oil containers. As such, it is probably not a good idea to purchase, store, and/or microwave food in cling wrap or containers marked with the “3” symbol on the bottom, indicating that it is made with PVC. Although 7 billion pounds of PVC is thrown away each year in the U.S., due to the nasty additives in PVC, only one-quarter of 1 percent is recycled.



    www.healthsynergyrx.com   Recycling symbols chart here: ig/recycling-symbols


Polystyrene, (#6) better known by its trade name Styrofoam, is a material most of us are familiar with. We typically recognize it in fast food containers, disposable utensils and plates, insulation, and packing materials, but did you know that it can also be found in computer housings, hairdryers, kitchen appliances, and toys? Like PVC, both the manufacture and usage of polystyrene products negatively impacts both our health and the environment:


   -Polystyrene takes at least 500 years to decompose.

   -The light, buoyant nature of polystyrene means it is easily washed or windblown into storm drains and waterways, where it contributes to marine pollution.

   -Polystyrene contains both styrene and benzene, which can leach out when the material comes into contact with hot or oily foods. The risk of the former is uncertain (Source), but benzene is a known carcinogen.  Think twice about the takeout Chinese and piping hot coffee, and definitely avoid microwaving containers made from polystyrene.

   -The production of Polystyrene, like most manufacturing processes, requires the unsustainable use of fossil fuels.

   -Polystyrene can clog the digestive tracts of animals.

   -Polystyrene is rarely recycled, and is not “closed loop.” For example: if a Styrofoam cup is recycled, it won’t go into the production of another Styrofoam cup, but rather a different product (E.G., packing peanuts). This means more resources must be depleted in order to create more Styrofoam cups.

   -According to a 1986 EPA report, polystyrene manufacture is the 5th largest generator of hazardous waste. 57 different chemicals are emitted during the combustion of polystyrene foam.

   -Global production of polystyrene in 2010 was 15.4 million metric tons.




www.projectaware.org



The list of environmentally hazardous packaging and other disposables goes on. Did you know that more than 500 million disposable plastic straws are used in the U.S. per day? (Source) Or that China uses 45 billion pairs of disposable chopsticks per year, resulting in the annual decimation of 25 million trees? (Source) Bottled water produces 1.5 million tons of plastic waste per year. It is thousands of times more expensive than tap water, and in the U.S., far less regulated – despite the pristine imagery printed on the label, what you are drinking may be no cleaner than what you get from the faucet. The transformation of water into a pricy, wasteful, yet somehow desirable commodity may represent one of the biggest marketing scams in history. Instead of wasting money on the Dasani and Evian, protect the environment – and your wallet – by using a Thermos. The best options are stainless steel, lined aluminum, or glass. If you have concerns about the tap water quality in your community or don’t like the taste, installing a carbon filter is an easy and cost-effective remedy.
 
    -At least 90 percent of the price of a bottle of water is for things other than the water itself, like bottling, packaging, shipping and marketing.

   -44 percent of ‘purified’ bottled water sold in the U.S. started out as municipal water.

   -It takes about 1,100 to 2,000 times as much energy to produce and transport the average bottle of water to Los Angeles as to produce the same amount of tap water.

   -About 1 million tons of plastic PET water bottles are produced in the U.S. each year, requiring the energy equivalent of 50 million barrels of oil. 76.5 percent of these bottles end up in landfills.

   -Between 1997 and 2007, bottled water consumption in the U.S. more than doubled, from 13.4 gallons per person to 29.3 gallons per person.

   -26 to 41 percent of the 2.4 million tons of PET plastic discarded every year is bottled water bottles.

   -Because plastic water bottles are shielded from sunlight in landfills, they will not decompose for thousands of years.


And if that isn’t enough to chew on, consider how much of your tax dollars went to unsustainably quenching Congress’ thirst...







How can packaging waste and disposable waste be minimized? When you wander into a supermarket, chances are that the majority of what you see will be packaged, and not entirely without reason. Until all foods are locally sourced, transported products must be ensured a reasonable shelf life, lest they rot before consumption and go to waste. This does not mean that there isn’t a dramatic overuse of disposable packaging, or that all kinds are created equal. When shopping, you can try to select items that use minimal or reusable packaging, and bring your own reusable bags to carry them home with. Choosing recyclable cardboard and glass over plastic and polystyrene is less likely to harm the environment and your health. When you shop try to buy in bulk, thereby reducing individual packaging. European consumers should keep in mind that products marked with the Green Dot are manufactured by companies that help fund recycling and waste recovery efforts.


Plant-based eco-packaging is a growing industry, and companies like Earthcycle and Mycobond make both ethically-sourced and sustainable products. Mounting environmental concerns are eliciting some gradual progress on a systemic level, and pushes for legislative action can force companies to use and develop better packaging alternatives. California has already moved to ban the use of polystyrene containers in foodservice, and distribution will halt by 2014. A 2007 Nielsen Company survey spanning 48 countries demonstrated that 40% of respondents were “very concerned” about levels of packaging waste, and a report from the Grocery Manufacturers Association found that food and beverage companies have managed to slash 1.5 billion pounds of packaging since 2005. Sights are set on a further reduction of 2.5 billion pounds by 2020. (Source) Walmart has pledged to reduce its packaging weight 5% by 2013, and ASDA, its UK counterpart, has cut 27% of its packaging weight since 2005. U.S. Walmarts have also made strides in transitioning away from PVC packaging for its sheets and tablecloths. A recent New York Times article highlights corporate efforts to cut costs and eliminate excess: www.nytimes.com. 


These companies need our continued urging, and putting our money where our mouths are, makes a difference. Wherever possible, relinquish disposable goods in favor of those that are reusable and sustainable. Avoid packaging that can hurt you and the environment and is destined to sit in landfills. We have the power to communicate that waste reduction is a priority by carefully choosing what we buy.



Resources:

Waste prevention and recycling starts at home, and the CalRecycle website from CA.gov provides ideas and resources: www.calrecycle.ca.gov

Food and Water Watch.org, “Issues: Bottled Water.” www.foodandwaterwatch.org. You can sign their “Take Back the Tap” pledge not to drink bottled water here: action.foodandwaterwatch.org

Innovative, edible, and eco-friendly “Jelloware” cups – hopefully available for sale soon (under “Recent Projects): www.thewayweseetheworld.com

Read about the pros and cons of biodegradable plastics like PLA and PHA: TIME Magazine, 2010, “The Promise and Pitfalls of Bioplastic.” www.time.com

List of U.S. cities and counties that have banned, or are considering banning, polystyrene foodware: riseaboveplastics.blogspot.com

Not just wasteful, but annoying: 2010 NY Times article on Packaging Rage, or what happens when you spend 20 minutes trying to open the new pair of headphones you bought. It has spurred Amazon.com to decrease the amount of packaging it uses to ship to online buyers, reducing both stress and waste. www.nytimes.com

Polysteyrene Info:

Sources: www.businessbarbados.com, www.earthresource.org, www.sriconsulting.com