11.07.07

Costs.

Posted in Environmental Packaging at 2:38 am by Administrator

We all know that the cost of anything associated with “Green” or Sustainable packaging has a higher cost than traditional ethylene products.  The challenge is to show through cost analysis that the overall impact of “Green” packaging can be made into a positive.  Look at things like competitive advantage, energy usage, disposal fees, brand image, etc.  Yes you have to dig deeper to justify this type of packaging but it can be done. 

Why is it so high?  The old adage of supply and demand with a little greed put in there for good measure.  If companies were truly green advocates they could offer their raw materials to converters at a more reasonable price.  I am not saying give the farm away, but make the packaging more attractive to the masses.  

What are your thoughts on the subject of the cost of “Green” packaging? 

 

11.05.07

Public awareness

Posted in Environmental Packaging at 11:50 pm by Administrator

When we speak of PLA and biodegradable plastics you have to, in the same breath, talk about composting.  This composting is not your generic backyard version but an industrial composting.  The question is…”How do we inform the public that plastic is not always plastic and has to be separated?”. 

The dilemma is to create a large enough market for compostable plastics to where the general public will recognize it from the ordinary polyethylene packaging.  I read in a recent trade magazine that the fear is that the market segment will not grow fast enough and the confusion will be the death of bioplastics in mainstream packaging. 

How do we convey the message?  Is it through the media?  What about branding or symbols?  I know BPI (www.bpiworld.org) has a logo that designates compostability. Is this the answer?  Being in the packaging design business it is difficult to make sure that the consumer can EASILY make ther right choice when disposing of a particular medium.  

What are you thoughts on this subject?

 

11.02.07

Why is there an uproar about GM resins?

Posted in Environmental Packaging at 11:00 pm by Administrator

GM (genetically modified) resins such as the corn used for PLA in the US is taboo.  I personally do not see all the fuss.  These crops are not raised for human consumption but for plastic resin.  If a GM plant can produce significantly more starch or sugars why not use it and get a better yield.  There is an uproar about using the corn supply for resin in the first place because there is a concern it will take away from the world’s food supply and yet when there are attempts to boost the yield on corn that is used for resin manufacture, which would mean less corn used, there is also an uproar.  You cannot have it both ways. 

I was reading in a trade magazine today where a high end grocery chain will not use PLA solely because it is made from GM corn.  I am stumped.  This makes no sense.  When is someone going to see how illogical this approach is? 

I would like to have your thoughts on this subject.  Back up your comments.

11.01.07

Newt Gingrich’s New Book “A Contract with the Earth”

Posted in Environmental Packaging at 10:17 pm by Administrator

I was doing my usual morning news reading on the Internet and on www.foxnews.com they had a video promoting Newt Gingrich’s new book.  As with his infamous “Contract with America” when he was Speaker of the House, which laid out steps to follow to get the political house back in order, this book lays out steps to get the Environment back in order.
 
Here is an excerpt form the book: “Americans know that shaping a healthy environment is the one challenge that eclipses all others.  Without a green and productive Earth, Clean air to breath, and healthy streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans, life as we know it cannot survive.  But where is America’s environmental playbook?”  I have not had a chance to read the book yet, but plan on picking it up this weekend at Books a Million.  I am glad that we can get a conservatives view of the global warming issue that can balance out the views of Al Gore in “The Inconvenient Truth”. 


A piece of the plan will be to conserve and have a sustainable mindset in whatever we do.  This includes packaging.  How do we balance the Environment, Economics and Social aspects to attain sustainability?  If one or the other is out of kilter sustainability cannot be achieved.
 
After reading the book, I will post a review.  Another good book on how going “Green” can be profitable for your business is…”Green to Gold”
 
A challenge to even the hardnosed environmentalists…Read the book and make post your comments.