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22 Nov 99 - push-up packaging; measurement; dishware; junk mail; catalogs ** WASTE PREVENTION FORUM ** -- A project of the National Waste Prevention Coalition -------- Forum archive: http://www.reuses.com/nwpcarchive --------------------- >From Brenda Fromm, Dakota County, MN: Below is an excerpt from an article from a packaging newsletter (referenced in the 11/19/99 Forum) regarding new push-up packaging for microwavable foods: Note the last sentence - another attempt by manufacturers to gloss over their wasteful packaging by labeling it as recyclable, when in fact most programs will not accept this material. As usual, local recycling companies and program managers will be picking up the pieces when residents try to "do the right thing" and recycle these items that, in 99 percent of programs, really are not recyclable. "What makes IncrEdibles different from other hand-held foods, the company emphasizes, is that with the push-up cylinder packaging IncrEdibles are able to offer users 100 percent of product content. Most other foods in this category rely on bread or dough as their carrier system. 'When we say 4.5-oz of macaroni and cheese, that's what you get, not 2.5 to 3.5-oz of a bread or dough encasement with a mere 1 to 2-oz of filling,' notes Robert E. Berman, president of Breakaway Foods and IncrEdibles inventor. Berman points out that other hand-held foods can contain up to 60 percent or more outer dough. There is no dough in IncrEdibles. In essence, the paperboard and plastic delivery system, which is recyclable, is disposed of, not consumed." Although my main "beef" with this article deals with claims that the packaging is recyclable, I think the underlying issue is wasteful products that seem to use the "recyclable" label in an attempt to downplay the environmental impact of their products. E-mail: Brenda ( DOT ) Fromm ( AT ) CO ( DOT ) DAKOTA ( DOT ) MN ( DOT ) US --------------------- >From Christine McCoy, National Recycling Coalition, Alexandria, VA: The National Recycling Coalition's Source Reduction Forum is holding a meeting, "Measures for Success: Methods for Measuring Source Reduction," on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 1999 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the National Association of Counties' headquarters in Washington, DC. The purpose of the meeting is to review, evaluate and recommend appropriate methods for measuring source reduction at the national, state and local levels and in business settings. In addition, attendees will be helping us determine the level of interest in pursuing a national study of source reduction in consumer product packaging. Individuals interested in attending the meeting are welcomed, space permitting. For more information on how you can attend, please contact Christine McCoy at 703/683-9025, ext. 211, or via e-mail at: ChristineM ( AT ) nrc-recycle ( DOT ) org ---------------------- >From Megan Gavin, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5, Chicago, IL: In response to Christine McCoy's 11/19/99 request for information on durable dishware and cutlery: You might want to check out BioCorp's web site at: http://www.BioCorpUSA.com They have some interesting facts as well as web site links. E-mail: Gavin [ DOT ] Megan [ AT ] epamail [ DOT ] epa [ DOT ] gov Note: BioCorp makes compostable dishware and cutlery, under the brand name "reSource-Ware." --------------------- >From Jerry Parker, Washington State Department of Ecology, responding to recent postings about junk mail (second paragraph is a response to Jerry's comment, apparently from someone in his office): Maybe the answer is to have low-income individuals register to get junk mail and then make burnable paper logs for home heating from such mail. If enough people do this, it would bankrupt the companies dumb enough to keep cranking out junk mail. - Jerry's idea could potentially create a new industry and a new market. I'm thinking that low-income people could be trained (and perhaps provided the equipment on a lease/buy plan) in how to make these logs and then sell them, like a second job or at-home business. That would be a "close the loop" option, plus it would provide added income to those who need it, along with flexible hours so they would be able to spend more time with their families. E-mail: jepa461 (AT) ECY (DOT) WA (DOT) GOV ------------------ Link to "Environmentalists grumble as catalog business grows," an article by Robert Braile in the 11/22/99 Boston Globe (forwarded by Stephen Long): http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/326/metro/Environmentalists_grumble_as_catalog_business_grows+.shtml Note: This article includes information and background on the new "Greener Catalogs" report from the Alliance for Environmental Innovation, which was mentioned in an 11/19/99 posting. The article also includes the direct mail industry's response to the report. A summary of the report is at: http://www.edfpewalliance.org/catalogs.html --------------------- >From Tom Watson, Waste Prevention Forum moderator: Most people on this list apparently received two copies of the 11/19/99 posting. Sorry about that. The problem is on this end. Hopefully it won't happen again, but if it does, I'll try to make sure it gets resolved. Thanks! - end -