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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Casein
       Made from milk curds or skimmed milk
                 (protein based)




Source: Plastics Historical Society (London) http://www.plastiquarian.com/casein1.htm




                                                                                        www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
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
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
www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
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
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
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
Biodegradable vs. Biobased




Non-biodegradable biobased plastics are here




                                               www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
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
Composting, lots of models




                      www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
Boulder Farmers’ Market




                      www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
Green the Capitol Initiative




                        www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
Whole Foods




              www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
San Francisco: Aiming for Zero Waste




                             www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
Color-coded compostable design for 400k
             at SF Festival




          Photos courtesy of City of San Francisco


                                                     www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
Seattle




          www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
Seattle: Compostable Food Service Ware




                              www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Biomass Feedstock
•   Avoid hazardous chemicals
•   Avoid GMOs
•   Conserve soil & nutrients
•   Biological diversity
•   Sustainable agriculture plan
•   Protect workers
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
End of Life




•   Compostable or recyclable
•   Biodegradable in aquatic systems
•   Adequate product labeling
•   Adequate recovery infrastructure

                                       www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
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
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
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
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
Farmers




            Certifies farm practices




                                                        Contracts
                                                        with
                                                        farmers

Companies



                   Contracts for WLC




                                                 www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
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
Development of Environmentally
Preferable Purchasing Specifications




                              www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
Recognition Levels
• Bronze
  → Baseline criteria
  → Easily verifiable criteria
• Silver
• Gold
  → Highest level
  → More challenges to
    verify criteria

                                 www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
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
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
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
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
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
Single use has got to go




                    www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
Resource Conservation Hierarchy
           Most Preferable

             Avoid & Reduce


                 Reuse


            Recycle & Compost


                  Treat

                 Dispose




           Least Preferable
                                www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
Zero Waste Path




                  www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
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
www.sustainablebiomaterials.org
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

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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