The Sustainable Packaging Coalition

Transcription

1 The Sustainable Packaging Coalition Anne Johnson, GreenBlue EPA National Workshop on the Resource Conservation Challenge Programs Arlington, VA March 6, 2008

2 Overview GreenBlue Packaging Drivers for Sustainable Packaging The Sustainable Packaging Coalition Definition of Sustainable Packaging Packaging Development Case studies

3 GreenBlue A not for profit institute of scientists, engineers and designers working with professional communities to connect the vision of sustainability to implementation through effective design and information 501(c)(3) not for profit Founded in Employees Charlottesville, VA

4 Role of Packaging Keeps product from spoiling or being damaged but also important to prevent accrued environmental impact of a product from being wasted

5 Why Packaging? Significant use of materials Municipal burden Short term nature of most packaging Corporate citizenship and brand issue Intimate relationship with consumers Posterchild for waste ` EU Minister for the Environment, 2007

6 The Supply Chain 2006

7 Drivers for Sustainable Packaging Katrina/Oil price increases X X X X X X Wal-Mart X X X X X X Climate Change X X X X X X

8 Population Growth and Demand for Resources Global Footprint Network 2007

9 State for the Second Industrial Revolution Planetary Resources Needs of Society Needs of Business

10 Sustainable Packaging Coalition is Industry working group Inspired by cradle-to-cradle principles Working to increase understanding of sustainability issues related to packaging and the role of design Developing tools and resources to facilitate more sustainable packaging solutions and systems

11 A Cradle to Cradle Vision THE MODEL THE VISION

12 Definition of Sustainable Packaging Benefits Communities Renewable Energy Cost and Performance Responsible Sourcing Clean Production Material Health Optimizing Materials & Energy Resource Recovery

13 Activities and Projects of the Coalition Meetings Open Forum Calls Definition Design Guidelines Design tool Essentials of Sustainable Packaging Course Metrics Project Environmental Technical Briefs

14 Design is a Critical Point of Consideration Possible to design out negative consequences and design in sustainabilitybased features Consider sustainable design criteria early in the packaging product development when it is most cost effective Design for Environment (DfE) resources

15 Sustainability and Product Development Direction Corporate Values, Priorities, Goals Alignment Marketing Procurement Research & Development Packaging Development Common Knowledge Base Implement Sustainable Package Development

16 Sustainability Requires Both Efficiency and Optimization Strategies OPTIMIZATION Beneficial recovery Safer materials Responsibly sourced Renewable energy Clean production SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING ECO-EFFICIENCY Less material Minimizing toxics Energy efficiency Reduce pollution

17 Raising Awareness and Driving Business SmartCycle label is an effort to educate consumers and raise awareness

18 Creating Markets and Design for Recycling Using recycled materials and redesigned for recycling Post-Consumer Recycled Material 45% to 80% 150 tons virgin material saved $1mm saved

19 Enhancing Post-Use Recovery Options through Compatibility of Materials - Ecotainer Partnership between International Paper and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Uses renewable resource: corn-based plastic Certified compostable Grown and harvested according to Sustainable Forestry Initiative guidelines

20 Creating Recyclable Alternatives Cost-neutral alternative to PVC blisterpack Passed vibration and drop tests Stronger on the compression test Fiber is 50% and PET blister is 100% PCR Fiber and PET are recyclable

21 Saving Material - Salad Dressing Bottle Redesign Reduced PET by 15% Enhanced Pourability

22 Packaging Trends Industry is engaged and taking action Climate change and increasing petroleum prices driving lightweighting as the dominant design for environment strategy saves money and resources life cycle analysis increasing use of flexible packaging not economic to collect, low recycled value Leglslation and carbon taxes can drive conflicting agendas China (materials and legislation) New materials

23 Thank You! For more information on the SPC, please see