Biodegradable plastic bags carry more ecological harm than good

by Tom on June 18, 2009

Biodegradable plastic bags – as handed out by Supermarkets, the Co-op and even the Soil Association – must be good, surely?
But last week, the European Plastics Recyclers Association warned that they “have the potential to do more harm to the environment than good.”
The European Plastics Recyclers Association last week argued that biodegradable bags are not the right environmental option anyway.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/cif-green/2009/jun/18/greenwash-biodegradeable-plastic-bags
The European Treaty of Lisbon goes even further than previous Treaty regarding  environment.
The new Treaty lays down that the European Union should aim to the “improvement of the quality of the  environment” and not only protect it. New technologies are the one way to achieve the above mentioned objective.
The OXO degradable additives will jeopardise mechanical recycling as they will pollute the existing waste streams.
They destroy the stored material’s value, will not reduce littering and will  jeopardise the benefits of mechanical recycling.

Biodegradable plastic bags – as handed out by Supermarkets, the Co-op and even the Soil Association – must be good, surely?

But last week, the European Plastics Recyclers Association warned that they “have the potential to do more harm to the environment than good.”

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Paper or Plastic?

by Tom on June 13, 2009

Regardless of what you use — most studies agree is that the most beneficial thing for the environment — is for shoppers to bring their own reusable bags to the grocery store.

A reusable bag is better for the environment regardless of what it is made from, as long as it is used at least four times, according to a 2004 study by the French retailer Carrefour.

blogs.wsj.com

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F.T.C. Sends Stern Warning On ‘Biodegradable’ Marketing Claims

by Tom on June 12, 2009

On Tuesday, the F.T.C. charged Kmart and two other companies — Tender Corp., and Dyna-E International — with making “false and unsubstantiated claims” that their products were biodegradable.
Asked about the proliferation of biodegradable labels, Michael Davis, an attorney with the F.T.C.’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, told Green Inc., “We hope that these actions will serve as notice to these markets that an unqualified claim of biodegradability is probably false and cannot be substantiated.”
Asked what a properly qualified claim might be, Mr. Davis said, “It’s hard to think of one that marketers would like.” He offered a none-too-appealing example: “Biodegradable in 1,000 years.”
Mr. Davis also said that methods used by companies to test biodegradable products might not be realistic.On Tuesday, the F.T.C. charged Kmart and two other companies — Tender Corp., and Dyna-E International — with making “false and unsubstantiated claims” that their products were biodegradable.
Asked about the proliferation of biodegradable labels, Michael Davis, an attorney with the F.T.C.’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, told Green Inc., “We hope that these actions will serve as notice to these markets that an unqualified claim of biodegradability is probably false and cannot be substantiated.”
Asked what a properly qualified claim might be, Mr. Davis said, “It’s hard to think of one that marketers would like.” He offered a none-too-appealing example: “Biodegradable in 1,000 years.”
Mr. Davis also said that methods used by companies to test biodegradable products might not be realistic.On Tuesday, the F.T.C. charged Kmart and two other companies — Tender Corp., and Dyna-E International — with making “false and unsubstantiated claims” that their products were biodegradable.
Asked about the proliferation of biodegradable labels, Michael Davis, an attorney with the F.T.C.’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, told Green Inc., “We hope that these actions will serve as notice to these markets that an unqualified claim of biodegradability is probably false and cannot be substantiated.”
Asked what a properly qualified claim might be, Mr. Davis said, “It’s hard to think of one that marketers would like.” He offered a none-too-appealing example: “Biodegradable in 1,000 years.”
Mr. Davis also said that methods used by companies to test biodegradable products might not be realistic.
On Tuesday, the F.T.C. charged Kmart and two other companies — Tender Corp., and Dyna-E International — with making “false and unsubstantiated claims” that their products were biodegradable.

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A New Look at the Bag Scourge

by Tom on June 12, 2009

Faced with the growing blight, countries from Ireland to China and cities from San Francisco to Washington, D.C., have moved to ban or tax their use.
What most studies agree is most beneficial to the environment — is for shoppers to bring their own reusable bags to the grocery store.
”  Some environmentally focused grocery stores, such as Whole Foods, report many of their shoppers have begun switching to reusable bags, though they are still in the minority.
Ireland imposed a tax on plastic grocery bags in 2002, as growth spawned a litter problem that, according to the Irish government, threatened the country’s “clean, green image.”
San Francisco became the first U.S. city to ban conventional plastic grocery bags, in 2007.
Ireland says its “plastax” slashed the use of plastic grocery bags in the country by more than 90%.
But getting Americans to recycling their plastic grocery bags, even at home, takes effort.

Faced with the growing blight, countries from Ireland to China and cities from San Francisco to Washington, D.C., have moved to ban or tax their use.

What most studies agree is most beneficial to the environment — is for shoppers to bring their own reusable bags to the grocery store.

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UN calls for worldwide ban on single-use plastic bags

by Tom on June 11, 2009

Speaking following the launch of a UN report on marine litter, Achim Steiner, head of the UN Environment Program, said that there was “zero justification” for manufacturing plastic bags anywhere.
Aside from plastic carrier bags, campaigns should be run to encourage recycling and reuse.
“Other waste can be cut by boosting public awareness, and proposing an array of economic incentives and smart market mechanisms that tip the balance in favour of recycling, reducing or reuse rather than dumping into the sea.”
World Oceans Day: Protecting Oceans Around the Globe
World Oceans Day –  Oceans cover more than 70 per cent of the Earth’s surface – they have a significant effect on our climate and play a crucial role in maintaining the many ecosystem services such as fisheries.
UNEP continues to address the accelerating degradation of the world’s oceans and coastal areas through sustainable management and wise use of marine and coastal environment taking into consideration the interconnected nature of the world’s oceans and coastlines, its rich and varied biodiversity and the importance of marine resources to millions of people.
Northwest Pacific member states are participating in global negotiations on climate change and biodiversity conservation through NOWPAP, the Action Plan for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Northwest Pacific Region.
Another positive outcome of MALITA was the development and approval by the member states of the NOWPAP Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter which is currently being implemented.
During this year’s World Oceans Day, a UNEP WIO LaB demonstration project “A wetland-lagoon system for wastewater management” will be commissioned at Shimo La Tewa Prison, Mombasa, Kenya.
World Oceans Day, is an opportunity to celebrate the world’s ocean and to build greater awareness of the crucial role of the ocean in our lives and the important ways each of us can help.

Speaking following the launch of a UN report on marine litter, Achim Steiner, head of the UN Environment Program, said that there was “zero justification” for manufacturing plastic bags anywhere.

Aside from plastic carrier bags, campaigns should be run to encourage recycling and reuse.

“Other waste can be cut by boosting public awareness, and proposing an array of economic incentives and smart market mechanisms that tip the balance in favour of recycling, reducing or reuse rather than dumping into the sea.”
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Talista Organic Sport Bag

by Tom on March 7, 2009

organic-sports-bag

TALISTA Organic Sport Bag (PFG #203589)
Cotton rope drawstring, closure with backpack straps.
www.proformacatalog.com

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Plastic Bags

by Tom on February 28, 2009

60000plasticbags

60 000 plastic bags; number of plastic bags used in America ever 5 seconds.

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Xiamen Hailight Industry non-woven tote

by Tom on February 23, 2009

hailight-non-woven-toteWe are professional promotional bags suppliers to USA/CA/EUROP marketing. We exported more than 10million usd to USA on 2007.
We developped machines for non-woven tote, very good price. Pls refer attached pic for my non-woven tote.

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Wind-blown bags create plastic litter

by Tom on November 30, 2008

Although curbside recycling of plastic bags does not work well, plastic bag recycling at grocery store drop-off containers can be successful if people stuff bags inside other bags and take their bundles when they go shopping.   To facilitate this type of drop-off recycling solution for plastic bags, the California Legislature passed AB2449 in 2006, which requires large grocery stores and drug stores with pharmacies to accept plastic bags for recycling.  Some cities, unwilling to consider drop-off recycling a solution for plastic bags, tried to ban them.
venturacountystar.com

On the net
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Reusable bags contain bacteria, mould

by Tom on November 28, 2008

A ban on the sale of bottled water at civic centres. Food retailers who use plastic take-out containers need to develop by 2010 a reuseable/refillable take-out container. The city would ban the sale or distribution of plastic take-out food containers that are not compatible with Toronto’s blue-bin program.

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