2011 0124 platt power_jan24_2011-final
- 1. Organics Recovery & Biobased Materials: Opportunities for Corporate Involvement Brenda Platt SBC Co-Chair Institute for Local Self-Reliance January 24, 2011 POWER Meeting, Santa Clara, California www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 2. Overview • Petro-plastic woes • Why recover organics composting? • What are biobased products and how can they help? • Understanding difference between biobased vs biodegradable vs compostable • Compostable alone ≠ sustainable • Criteria for environmentally preferable biobased food service ware • Market-based tools: purchasing specs & Working Landscape Certificates • Other corporate opportunities www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 3. Petro-Plastic Woes • Non-renewable (geological timeframes to produce but consume in 1 to 10 years) • Generally nonbiodegradable with devastating affects on ocean life 6 times more plastic than plankton by mass • Demand and production skyrocketing • Plastics industry supports more drilling • Recycling and reuse low • Health impacts (polymers differ) Agalita Marine Research Foundation www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 4. How Exposure to Polystyrene Affects the Human Body Polystyrene in made from the monomer styrene (vinyl benzene) Styrene remains present in polystyrene (no polymerization process is 100% efficient) Styrene = a neurotoxin and suspected human carcinogen Styrene impairs the central and peripheral nervous systems. Exposure to styrene in the workplace has also been associated with chromosomal aberrations, thus is considered a mutagen. Carcinogenic Effects: Proven that it causes cancer in animals, but there are no long- term studies showing that PS causes cancer in humans. “The ability of styrene monomer to migrate from polystyrene packaging to food has been reported in a number of publications and probably accounts for the greatest contamination of foods by styrene monomer.” – World Health Organization www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 5. Plastics Recycling: Failure? 35,000 30,000 25,000 20,000 Thousands Waste Generated of tons Material Recycled 15,000 10,000 5,000 - 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2007 Source: US EPA, 2007 data (http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/msw99.htm) www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 6. Plastics Recycling Low Generation Recycling Recycling Level (thousand tons) (thousand tons) (percent by weight) PET 3,760 680 18.1% HDPE 5,650 570 10.1% PVC 1,660 0.0% LDPE/LLDPE 6,400 310 4.8% PP 4,570 10 0.2% PS 2,620 20 0.8% Other resins 6,070 500 8.2% Total Plastics in 30,730 2,090 6.8% MSW Source: US EPA, 2007 data www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 7. U.S. municipal waste disposed Textiles Paper and 6% Glass paperboard 6% 22% Metals 8% Other materials Wood 8% 8% Yard trimmings 7% Plastics 17% Food scraps 18% 169.2 million tons in 2007 Source: US EPA, 2007 data (http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/msw99.htm) www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 8. Benefits of Biobased Alternatives • Can replace many harmful conventional plastics • Can be fully biodegradable (capable of being utilized by living matter) • Can be made from a variety of renewable resources • Can be composted locally into a soil amendment • Can help capture food discards • Can contribute to healthier rural economies • Can complement zero waste goals www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 9. Horn, Tortoiseshell, Amber Source: Susan Mossman, ed., Early Plastics: Perspectives 1850-1950 (Science Museum, London: 1997), Plate 2 & Fig 51; www.horners.org.uk. www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 10. Gutta Percha Source: Susan Mossman, ed., Early Plastics: Perspectives 1850-1950 (Science Museum, London: 1997), Plate 3; and Plastics Historical Society (London) http://www.plastiquarian.com/gutta.htm. www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 11. Shellac: Lac Beetle Secretion Union Cases (1854-1870s) Mirrors Seals Gramophone 78 rpms (1897-1940s) Source: Susan Mossman, ed., Early Plastics: Perspectives 1850-1950 (Science Museum, London: 1997), Plate 4. www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 12. John Hyatt’s Billiard Ball Copyright Smithsonian National Museum of American History, http://home.planet.nl/~kockpit/history.htm http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object.cfm?key=35&objkey=18 "Made in 1868 of Cellulose Nitrate, Celluloid. The Year John Wesley Hyatt Discovered This First Plastics Resin." www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 13. Casein Made from milk curds or skimmed milk (protein based) Source: Plastics Historical Society (London) http://www.plastiquarian.com/casein1.htm www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 14. Chardonnet Silk Nov. 21, 1889 Source: Plastics Historical Society (London) www.plastiquarian.com; www.museum-of-hosiery.org; and New York Times archives. www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 15. Henry Ford’s Biological Car (1941) • body: variety of plant fibers • dashboard, wheel, seat covers: soy protein • tank: filled with corn-derived ethanol www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 17. The Good News on Biobased Alternatives • Variety of resins available • Performance improving • Experience and R&D growing • Growth expected • Programs such as the federal biobased procurement will open up new markets • Standards in place • Price competitiveness improving • Demand increasing www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 18. ASTM Standards • D 6866 – defines and quantifies biobased content • D 6400 – specification for biodegradation in commercial composting systems • D 7081 – specification for biodegradation in the marine environment • D 5988 – test method for biodegradation in soil • D 5511 – test method for biodegradation in anaerobic digesters www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 19. Degradable Vs. Biodegradable Degradable Biodegradable May be invisible to naked Completely assimilated into eye food and energy source Fragment into smaller pieces by microbial populations No data to document in a short time period biodegradability within Meet biodegradability one growing season standards Migrate into water table Not completely assimilated by microbial populations in a short time period Source: Dr. Ramani Narayan, Michigan State Univ. www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 20. Biodegradable vs. Biobased Non-biodegradable biobased plastics are here www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 21. Composting: A Success Story 40,000 35,000 30,000 Yard Debris, 25,000 Thousands of tons Waste Generated 20,000 Material Recycled 15,000 10,000 5,000 - 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2007 Source: US EPA, 2007 data (http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/msw99.htm) www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 22. Composting, lots of models www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 23. Boulder Farmers’ Market www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 24. Green the Capitol Initiative www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 25. Whole Foods www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 26. San Francisco: Aiming for Zero Waste www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 27. Color-coded compostable design for 400k at SF Festival Photos courtesy of City of San Francisco www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 28. Seattle www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 29. Seattle: Compostable Food Service Ware www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 30. Biomaterial – Wonder Material? • “renewable” • “green • “eco-friendly” • “sustainable” • “environmentally neutral” • “safe and better” • “easy on the environment” • “return to nature without a trace” Compostability alone ≠ sustainable www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 31. Not All Bioproducts Created Equal • Biobased content • Additives and blends • Material feedstock type • Recyclability • Feedstock location • Performance • Biodegradability • Products • Commercial compost sites • Home composting • Marine environment • Anaerobic digestion www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 32. Challenges with Biobased Products Concern over genetically modified organisms (GMOs) Desire for sustainably grown biomass Need to develop adequate composting programs Concern with nanomaterials and fossil-fuel-plastic blends Lack of adequate labeling Concern over contamination of recycling systems www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 33. Genetically Modified Crops • Can be toxic, allergenic or less nutritious than their natural counterparts • Can disrupt the ecosystem, damage vulnerable wild plant and animal populations and harm biodiversity • Increase chemical inputs (pesticides, herbicides) over the long term • Deliver yields that are no better, and often worse, than conventional crops • Cause or exacerbate a range of social and economic problems • Are laboratory-made and, once released, harmful GMOs cannot be recalled from the environment. Source: http://www.nongmoproject.org/ www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 34. What We Put Into Corn… – Average of over 120 lbs. nitrogen fertilizer per acre – Among the highest levels of herbicide and pesticide use for conventional crops – Irrigation water – Proprietary hybrids www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 35. Sustainable Biomaterials Collaborative As You Sow The Sustainable Biomaterials Center for Health, Environment and Justice Collaborative is a network of Clean Production Action * Environmental Health Fund * organizations working together to Green Harvest Technologies Health Care Without Harm spur the introduction and use of Healthy Building Network Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy * biomaterials that are sustainable Institute for Local Self-Reliance* from cradle to cradle. The Lowell Center for Sustainable Production * Sustainable Research Group Collaborative is creating Pure Strategies RecycleWorld Consulting sustainability guidelines, Science & Environmental Health Network engaging markets, and promoting Seventh Generation National Campaign for Sustainable Ag. policy initiatives. * Steering committee www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 36. Survey Data: feedstock types and sources • China • India – Bulrush – Fallen palm leaves – Bagasse • Thailand/Vietnam – Tapioca starch – PSM (Plastarch Material) – Grass fiber – Corn – Bagasse – Chinese PLA • Malaysia – PHBV* – Palm fiber – PBS** • USA – Cornstarch – NatureWorks PLA – “Natural total chlorine-free pulp” – Recycled wood fiber *polyhydroxybutyrate-polyhydroxyvalerate **polybutylene succinate (petrochemical + succinic acid) www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 37. Path from Field to Producer “The source product is from Brazil, then turned into cornstarch in China, then the starch is used in our manufacturer’s facility.” “Feedstocks grown in Midwestern US. Manufacture the resin in Hawthorne, CA today, but plan to manufacture in Seymour, IN shortly.” www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 38. Defining Sustainable Life Cycles by Principles • Sustainable feedstocks / Sustainable agriculture • Green Chemistry / Clean Production • Closed Loop Systems / Cradle to Cradle / Zero Waste “Just because it’s biobased, doesn’t make it green” www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 39. Biomass Feedstock • Avoid hazardous chemicals • Avoid GMOs • Conserve soil & nutrients • Biological diversity • Sustainable agriculture plan • Protect workers
- 40. Manufacturing • Support sustainable feedstock • Reduce fossil energy use • Avoid problematic blends & additives • Avoid untested chemicals and engineered nano particles • Design for recycling & composting • Maximize process safety/reduce emissions • Green chemistry • Protect workers 40
- 41. End of Life • Compostable or recyclable • Biodegradable in aquatic systems • Adequate product labeling • Adequate recovery infrastructure www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 42. www.workinglandscapes.org • Support existing family farmers economically to transition to sustainable farming practices • Enable bioplastic customers to support more sustainable crop production • Do not require “identity-preserve” infrastructure and additional transaction costs www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 43. 2010 Corn Production Criteria www.workinglandscapes.org • No GMO varieties • No continuous cropping • Soil testing and fertilization according to state criteria and test results • No use of known human or animal carcinogenic chemicals • Use of cover crops or at least 70% of residues left on entire field • Creation of whole farm plan that includes biodiversity and energy aspects www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 44. General Statistics • 8,680 lbs of corn per acre, anticipated average yield • 3,472 lbs of PLA per acre • 2.5 lbs of corn for 1 lb of PLA • Each certificate is equivalent to 1 acre www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 45. WLCs in 2010 • Stonyfield Farm is first major buyer of WLCs – Shifted to PLA for multipack yogurt cups • Supports over 500 acres of more sustainable corn production – Equivalent to 200 million cups www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 46. Farmers Certifies farm practices Contracts with farmers Companies Contracts for WLC www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 47. WLC available to companies • A pound for pound answer for transition • Assisting businesses to transition to biobased materials and products Joe , WLC Farmer • Enable bioplastic customers to support more sustainable crop production • A pathway to more sustainable biobased production www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 48. Development of Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Specifications www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 49. Recognition Levels • Bronze → Baseline criteria → Easily verifiable criteria • Silver • Gold → Highest level → More challenges to verify criteria www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 50. Criteria: Biomass Production Criteria Recognition Level Biobased (organic) carbon content Product must be >90% Bronze Product must be >95% Silver Product must be >99% Gold Genetically Modified Plants No plastics may be made directly in plants Bronze GM crops allowed in field with offsets Bronze No GM biomass allowed in field Silver Sustainably grown biomass Forest and brushland-derived biomass Bronze Agricultural crop biomass Gold Protection of biomass production workers Gold www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 51. Criteria: Manufacturing Criteria Recognition Level Wood- or fiber-based products Non-food-contact products: 100% recycled, 40% PCR Bronze Cups: 10% PCR content Silver Other food-contact products: 45% recycled content Bronze No organohalogens added Bronze Additives and Contaminants of High Concern Declare whether nanomaterials present Bronze No additives that are chemicals of high concern Bronze No engineered nano without health risk assessment Silver All additives must be tested Gold No chlorine or chlorine compounds Silver Protection of biomass production workers Gold Local ownership and production Gold www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 52. Criteria: End of Life Criteria Recognition Level Product must be 100% commercially compostable Bronze Product labeled for compostability “Commercially Compostable” if facility exists Bronze Verification logo on product Bronze Clearly compostable Bronze Additional labeling if facility does not exist Bronze 100% backyard or home compostable Silver 100% biodegradable in aquatic environment Marine biodegradable Gold Freshwater biodegradable Gold www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 53. Next Steps • Vetted List of Products → Clear process for manufacturers to assess conformance to criteria → Beta-test conformance process • Work with purchasers to beta-test bid specs • Expand Working Landscape Certificates www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 54. Parting Thoughts • Life cycle thinking – taking a • Transitioning from fossil fuels to “principle-based” approach to renewable, biobased feedstocks sustainable materials – Biobased not inherently better – Define what we want – Need criteria & standards for – Set priorities defining sustainable biomaterials • Sustainable feedstocks and plastics across their life cycle • Green chemistry – No GMOs in field • Cradle to cradle – Inherently safer chems • Need to expand composting and – Concerns with nano anaerobic digestion capacity – Reuse, recycle, compost – corporate support for infrastructure and policies www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 55. Single use has got to go www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 56. Resource Conservation Hierarchy Most Preferable Avoid & Reduce Reuse Recycle & Compost Treat Dispose Least Preferable www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 57. Zero Waste Path www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 58. Aiming for zero waste is key GHG abatement strategy Abatement Megatons % of Abatement Strategy CO2 eq. Needed in 2030 to Return to 1990 Reducing waste via prevention, reuse, recycling, composting 406 11.6% Lighting 240 6.9% Vehicle Efficiency 195 5.6% Lower Carbon Fuels 100 2.9% Forest Management 110 3.1% Carbon Capture & Storage 95 2.7% Wind 120 3.4% Nuclear 70 2.0% Source: ILSR, GAIA, and Eco-Cycle, Stop Trashing the Climate (2008), and McKinsey & Company, Reducing U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions: How Much and at What Cost? (2007) www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
- 60. Comments? Questions? Brenda Platt SBC, Co-Chair Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Co-Director bplatt@ilsr.org 202-898-1610 ext 230 For information on the purchase of Working For information on the Working Landscapes Certificate Landscapes Certificates: criteria and verification: David Levine Jim Kleinschmit SBC, Steering Committee Member SBC, Steering Committee Member American Sustainable Business Council, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, Executive Director Rural Communities Program Green Harvest Technologies, Founding Partner Director dlevine@asbcouncil.org jimk@iatp.org 917-359-9623 612-870-3430 www.sustainablebiomaterials.org www.sustainablebiomaterials.org