Comments on: Innovative Packaging—Part 2

By: cheap car insurance

cheap car insurance — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 08:46:52 +0000

This new technology but it will work in this time.. you check this technology is work in now a days.

By: Dinesh

Dinesh — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 01:54:54 +0000

Lina – I think you’ve hit on one of the two biggest unknowns when it comes to compostable / biodegradable packaging.

#1) As you say, compostable packaging must be composted to break down. There’s actually a bit more detail which can be critical though, which is that for certain types of compostable packaging (e.g., compostable utensils) the packaging must be composted in a commericial composting facility which operates at a high heat level which is necessary to break these products down.

#2) The second in my opinion is that the words compostable & biodegradable mean the same thing. Labeling a product as compostable means that it meets a very strict standard for duration of time to break down, disintegration, and eco-toxicity. This standard is upheld by the ASTM. The term biodegradable is not regulated by any authority and is really doesn’t mean much of anything when it comes to packaging. You can see http://vivbizclub.com/blog/2010/03/13/compostable-vs-biodegradable/ for the full ASTM standards if you like. It’s an important point though as many manufactuers are abusing the term biodegradable and misinforming consumers.

By: Lina-EPA

Lina-EPA — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 17:35:06 +0000

Does this new technology have a name? Any references you can direct us to would be appreciated.

By: Steven Klein

Steven Klein — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 21:06:50 +0000

There is a simple patented technology that enables beverage empties to be reused in a creative and humanitarian way instead of winding up in landfills.

Instead of winding up in landfills, empty plastic beverage containers featuring this technology begin a new journey as creative educational toys or as building insulation in third world countries or countries that need to rebuild due to a national disaster.

If water bottles featuring this technology were donated to Haiti, the children could build simple toys and soccer goals from the empties. Then the empties could be utilized as building insulation to help rebuild the nation. Right now, the millions of water bottles that were donated to Haiti are just clogging up their landfills.

By: murray mccory

murray mccory — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 20:01:21 +0000

you have done an exceptional commentary on the subject of biodegradable packaging. As a county employee and grant officer, I set up recycling in Okanogan County. It is very successful. Composting was taught in schools, but needs more effort because this is a rural area and composting is the best solution. I worked as supervisor for our new 1995 landfill. Yes, it is state of art, and serves as a dry tomb, storing garbage forever. It will fill up in a few short years. I worked with the state DOE on several projects, including oil recycling, and plastic packaging. Every recycled item must be processed differently.
As a side comment, I tried to obtain an information request with the EPA on the off-shore drilling situation, here in the USA and abroad. I wanted to know why US tax dollars can support environmentally dangerous projects such as off-shore drilling in Brazil, when it cannot occur here? My request was too broad, and, I know how this works, because I had to reference Washington state legislation for every project that involved a request of any kind. Then I had to have my request reviewed by the county civil attorney for comment. The red tape load prevented many good ideas from even getting consideration, because no one read or understood the laws that the legislator’s passed..
This is a virtual wall to the average American citizen.
May your admirable efforts on behalf of the EPA continue to take in the rest of the world when discussing a solution to a problem.

By: Lina-EPA

Lina-EPA — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 18:30:54 +0000

Personally, just want to make sure the technology is used for a good purpose or to benefit the community. If they can make it cheaper, so much the better.

By: Lina-EPA

Lina-EPA — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 18:29:15 +0000

Very well said, Dr. Waal.

By: Lina-EPA

Lina-EPA — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 18:26:30 +0000

Linda,
Your compost pile should create the condictions for the compostable packaging to break down. Please do so and share its progress with us.

By: Lina-EPA

Lina-EPA — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 18:22:01 +0000

Tamza,
Very good points.

By: armansyahardanis

armansyahardanis — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 17:25:57 +0000

I am still trauma with “free trade market” which entering to our country now and to make local merchants so shock. Be careful, Lina, your technology be stole by them, and after that they are will sell to here with cheap prices !!!!!