[USCC] SunChips bags on the way to compost
Rhodes Yepsen
editinfo at jgpress.com
Thu Apr 23 09:51:01 CDT 2009
Cary, Michele,
I support the development of compostable plastics and am excited that
large corporations like Frito Lay are willing to invest time and
money in developing them on such a large scale. However we need to
be aware of premature releases of these products, before they are
entirely compostable.
The problem with these SunChips bags goes beyond the infrastructure
gap for handling compostable products, although that is a huge
issue. The bigger problem is that the bag is not actually fully
compostable until 2010. From the article that Cary posted below:
"Supermarket shelves are currently being filled with new 10.5-ounce
SunChips bags with an outer layer made of plant-based polylactic acid
(PLA). Researchers now are focusing on making the inside of the
pouches, including the critical layer that keeps the chips crisp and
fresh, eco-friendly as well."
Michele notes that people are already bringing the SunChips bags into
her office asking about their compostability, and notes that the
labeling is misleading. These are a potentially major contamination
source for existing compost facilities.
Not only that, but consider Frio Lay's "online ad campaign that
includes a Web video showing a SunChips bag crumbling in the earth
over 14 weeks." This is an impressive video, and will be useful in
2010 when the compostable version is released. But right now it will
probably only confuse the issues for consumers even further. (We've
joked around the office that Frito Lay should post a secondary video
with instructions on how to separate the compostable lining of the
SunChips bag).
We should provide counsel to corporations like Frito Lay, which are
willing to commit time and money for the development of compostable
products. It benefits everyone to have these initiatives succeed.
Then we just have to worry about the small feat of a national
composting infrastructure to handle the products!
Rhodes
Rhodes Yepsen, Associate Editor
BioCycle magazine
Advancing Composting, Organics Recycling & Renewable Energy
(610) 967-4135, ext.
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP
BioCycle International Conference
April 27-30, 2009, San Diego
www.BioCycle50.com
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On Apr 20, 2009, at 3:50 PM, Young, Michele wrote:
> I have already had the chip bags brought to me at my office, with
> folks
> asking if they can compost them now. The advertising on the bag is a
> bit misleading, as if the bags they are currently using are
> compostable
> prototypes. Between our office and the master composters, we are
> getting lots of calls on compostable packaging in general. People are
> confused about what to do with all of the compostable plastics that
> they
> are receiving through their purchases.
>
> I think the big problem will be getting the materials to a facility
> even
> if one exists. How many communities that will be selling these chips
> have food waste collection? Are we prepared with the education that
> will help residents understand what can be included in food waste, and
> what can not?
>
> I would bet that a good percentage of those chip bags will not make it
> to a composting facility, adding more "organics" to the landfill. Are
> we ready to manage a large number of compostable wrappers (and the
> resultant non-compostable trash) if this is the start of a trend?
>
> I think this is an important conversation for us to have as a group
> because these little bags represent a whole ice burg of compostable
> packaging that I am not sure we are ready for.
>
> Skeptical in San Jose
>
>
> Turn Over an Old Leaf - Compost!
>
> Michele Young
> City of San Jose
> Environmental Services Department
> 200 E. Santa Clara St. Tower 10
> San Jose, CA 95113
> Phone: (408) 975-2519
> FAX: (408) 292-6212
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com
> [mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of Cary Oshins
> Sent: Monday, April 20, 2009 5:03 AM
> To: 'Compost Discussion List'
> Subject: [USCC] SunChips bags on the way to compost
>
> This story is in from USA today. I got it from Delaware OnLine
> (http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20090419/BUSINESS/
> 904190338/1003)
> via
> my Google News Service. If only we had enough composting facilities to
> take
> the bags!
>
> Cary Oshins
>
> USCC
>
>
>
> April 19, 2009
>
> SunChips bags on the way to compost
>
> Frito-Lay expects to have package ready in 2010
>
> By CHARISSE JONES
> USA Today
>
> NEW YORK -- Have a snack. Then feed the earth.
>
> That's what chip munchers will be able to do when Frito-Lay introduces
> what
> it said will be "the world's first compostable chip bag" by Earth Day
> 2010.
>
> The snack maker is rolling out a media campaign this month touting
> that
> it
> has taken the first step toward creating an environmentally friendly
> pouch
> for SunChips, a multigrain product that is already associated with
> healthier
> snacking.
>
> "We're seeing a much greater concern about the planet by consumers,"
> said
> Gannon Jones, vice president of portfolio marketing for Frito-Lay
> North
> America, a business unit of PepsiCo.
>
> And Jones said that, "When it comes to the environment ... far and
> away,
> consumers would say if there's one thing that you could improve, it
> would be
> your packaging."
>
> Supermarket shelves are currently being filled with new 10.5-ounce
> SunChips
> bags with an outer layer made of plant-based polylactic acid (PLA).
> Researchers now are focusing on making the inside of the pouches,
> including
> the critical layer that keeps the chips crisp and fresh, eco-
> friendly as
> well.
>
> In a nation where "organic" and "fair trade" have become part of the
> lexicon, packaging experts and environmental advocates say companies
> such as
> Frito-Lay have realized the importance of showing they are helping to
> preserve the environment, whether it's reducing the fuel used to make
> and
> transport their products or altering the type of packaging that
> coffee,
> cold
> cuts or conditioners come in.
>
> A January report by The Hartman Group, a market researcher, found that
> packaging was key for consumers who are concerned about the
> environment.
>
> "It was almost like a marker or indicator as to how good or bad a
> company
> may be," said Laurie Demeritt, the agency's president. "And in most
> cases,
> when they thought about packaging [they asked], 'What can happen to it
> after
> I get it home? Is it recyclable? Is it biodegradable?' "
>
> Of the 1,600 people surveyed for the report, 75 percent said it was at
> least
> somewhat important that packaging be recyclable, while 51 percent felt
> it
> was at least somewhat important that it be compostable, meaning it
> breaks
> down with the presence of oxygen and water.
>
> While brands have used recycled paper for years to contain cereal,
> pasta
> and
> other products, companies are increasingly taking additional steps to
> help
> the environment, such as reducing the weight or amount of packaging.
>
> Kraft, which has a goal to cut packaging by 150 million pounds by
> 2011,
> shrank the amount of plastic used in each Kraft salad dressing
> bottle by
> 19
> percent last year, a change that will save more than 3 million pounds
> annually, said Roger Zellner, Kraft's director of sustainability for
> research, development and quality. Kraft's Oscar Mayer Deli Creations
> cut
> cardboard use 30 percent per package this year.
>
> By fall, plastic half-liter Aquafina bottles will be 20 percent
> lighter,
> said Bart Casabona, spokesman for PepsiCo North America Beverages.
> Casabona
> said the weight per bottle has been cut from 24 grams in 2002 to 10.9
> grams
> now, saving 75 million pounds of plastic annually.
>
> Frito-Lay is telling consumers that it is using renewable materials
> with
> a
> print and online ad campaign that includes a Web video showing a
> SunChips
> bag crumbling in the earth over 14 weeks, and an insert of a fully
> compostable package in this week's People magazine, with directions to
> toss
> the sample into an active compost bin.
>
> "It's walking a technological tightrope because we're balancing the
> need
> to
> have it break down with the need to have good shelf sustainability,"
> said
> Tony Knoerzer, Frito-Lay North America's vice president, packaging and
> sustainability. "We need a significant amount of moisture
> protection for
> our
> products because if they don't stay dry, they're not crisp."
>
>
>
>
>
> ____________________________________
> Cary Oshins
> Assistant Director of Programs
> <http://www.compostingcouncil.org/> US Composting Council
>
> 1010 North 13th St.
>
> Allentown, PA 18102
>
> phone: 484-547-1521
>
> fax: 484-274-6779
>
> <mailto:cary at compostingcouncil.org> cary.oshins at compostingcouncil.org
> USCC Main Office:
>
> 1 Comac Loop, Suite 14B1
> Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
> phone: 631-737-4931
> fax: 631-737-4939
>
>
> Celebrate International Compost Awareness Week, May 3-9, 2009
> For more details go to www.compostingcouncil.org/programs/icaw/
>
> Help support our industry. Become a member today!!!
>
>
>
> _______________________________________
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> Trade Show, January 24-27, 2010 at the Wyndham Orlando Resort, FL.
> The Largest Conference & Exhibition in North America for the
> Composting, Wood Waste, & Organics Recycling Industry. The Most
> Comprehensive Program of Training Courses, Educational & Technical
> Presentations, and Facility Tours & "Live" Equipment Demonstrations
> at the Disney/Reedy Creek Composting Facility. Conference
> Highlights & Program, Registration forms, Exhibitor Information and
> Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website
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> (c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights
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> Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the
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>
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