» Sustainability Squad

Sustainability Squad

Our Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee

Sep 162021

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Serving Up Delicious Eco-Products News

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IT’S TIME TO FEED
THE PLANT

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Vanguard Molded Fiber

Cutlerease Dispensing System

20oz Paper Hot Cup

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Diversion Immersion 2017

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Jul 192017

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This week's contributor is David Fridland

We’re doing something new for 2017 – tracking our recyclable and compostable materials at headquarters all year. Typically, we have done only one waste sort per year, but to better understand what we are throwing away, this year we will be doing four. In May, we did our first one of the year, and what follows is a quick snapshot of how we did and how we can do even better. Our next sort will be on Tuesday, August 1st; I hope you will join us! How did we do? Good news, we are nearing our 90% goal! During our May audit we hit a diversion rate (Recycling + Composting) of 87%. As you can see below, the majority of the material was compostable (56%.)

May 2017 Waste Audit Current Diversion Rate

But according to our potential, we could be all the way up above 90% if we were more careful to put the right stuff in the right bins. Check it out:

May 2017 Waste Audit Potential Diversion Rate

Throughout the years, we have been steadily increasing our diversion rate – 75% in 2015, 80% in 2016 – so let’s keep it up and get over our goal of 90% this year! When compared to Colorado’s diversion rate of around 19%, we are doing great. That’s why we are leaders! Contamination is always the struggle with recycling and composting, but we did a pretty good job. We saw very few wrong items. There was one aluminum can in the trash, as well as some plastic film. Make sure that we get that aluminum in the recycling always, and put any plastic bags or film (clean and dry #2 and #4) in the extra bin next to our kitchen Zero Waste station.

Come participate in the next materials audit on Tuesday, August 1st at 12:30pm on the West Side of the building. My hope is to have everyone join me for one of these, so come on out! If you want to know more you can email me at sustainabilitymaven@ecoproducts.com.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

I Know Where There’s a Shark That Talks Trash

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Jan 312017

Large scale environmental issues are a nightmare to communicate. They’re hard to describe let alone visualize. There are plenty of great infographics and CGI YouTube clips, but what about real life visualizations? Can they be accurate and even more – fun and engaging? That’s where serious creativity comes in to play.

For Angela Haseltine Pozzi this all came together while picking up beach trash in her community of Bandon, Oregon. Her regular walks on a beach turned into clean-up events as the ocean pushed more and more plastic pieces ashore.

Instead of disposing of them “properly” (in a landfill as most of the material wouldn’t be easily recycled) she opted to build monumental sculptures out of the colorful plastic. These brightly colored works were a perfect visual aid to discuss ocean pollution. Looking closely, you can easily identify a variety of household items that certainly do not belong in the ocean.

Pozzi’s team has built more than 75 larger-than-life sculptures of sea creatures ranging from seals to turtles to starfish. How much trash has Pozzi “processed” into her art? Current estimates are around 40,000 pounds of plastic. Much more has been collected but not incorporated (and hopefully it will remain in a landfill and not back in the ocean). Together with Bandon community they now have regular clean-up events as well as an arts center to provide education and outreach classes for the community and visitors.

Her works are heading on the road as well. They have been installed in museums and zoos across the country. Perhaps the biggest victory is bringing awareness to an issue that doesn’t resonate to land-locked states such as Colorado (they were installed in the Denver Zoo this last winter). Now they’re heading to the Smithsonian for another temporary exhibition. Here is a list of exhibition locations.

This artwork is an impactful reminder of the challenges our planet faces with the current plastics paradigm. In past blog posts here & here, we’ve referred to a report by the New Plastics Economy which predicts if we don’t change the way we produce and reprocess plastics, by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. Their recommended solutions include decoupling plastics from virgin petroleum feedstock, as well as using compostable products in foodservice settings. Through our GreenStripe and BlueStripe product lines and our commitment to advocacy, Eco-Products is working to make this new plastics vision a reality.

To see more of the works go to WashedAshore.org.
They are also looking for volunteers.

For more on the New Plastics Economy go here.

Think Outside the Box for Wrapping Gifts

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Dec 122016

I know, I know. It’s hard to stop yourself. You’re out shopping and see an entire array of beautifully designed wrapping paper. For only a few bucks your holiday gifts could look more delightful than ever before. I for one am a sucker for a contemporary new take on tired old holiday iconography but I also know that most wrapping paper is not recyclable, especially the cheap stuff.

Wrapping paper may contain dyes, plastic glitter and laminates, and even gold or silver, which cannot be recycled. Most wrapping paper is also made from very short fibers, which are difficult to recycle.

Here’s an article from Apartment Therapy with good ideas on things you probably have around the house that you could use as alternatives. Newsprint, paper grocery bags or other natural-fiber paper are a great alternative, as are gift bags that can be used several times. Maybe you have some extra reusable shopping bags or totes around the place.

And don’t forget about the ribbon. I recently learned while tying ribbon on gingerbread men for my little hall project here at Eco-Products (don’t judge me), that Mary’s paper ribbon I borrowed is not only sustainable but much easier to tie using my stubby fat fingers. Why did I start with the plastic stuff? Old habits. Why not string or paper ribbon?

Our HR Manager Rachael Smith, recently had a few additional ideas in her employee newsletter to all of us. Use Ball jars, a Newell brand, as an attractive package for food items, and recycle last year’s holiday cards as this year’s gift tags.

Start some new traditions this holiday season by using sustainable and recycled material for your gift wrapping. All it takes is some thinking outside the box, or maybe ditch the box all together.

Trash, Trash, Trash, and Me

Eco Patriots are compost savvy, Eco Patriots are recycle savvy, Eco Patriots are waste savvy No Responses »

Sep 122016

Every time I take a walk I see trash. Bits and pieces of this and that, large and small. For a long time I allowed the trash to ruin my day. I just couldn’t understand why people would simply toss something on the ground.

Then it occurred to me that “trash happens”. Garbage bags break. The wind blows. Things fly out car windows. Dogs poop. Advertisements shoved under windshield wipers fly away. Get it? Trash Happens.

I decided to stop letting trash ruin my day. These days, I make it a personal mission to pick up trash and I invite you to do the same. Why? Because it feels good and it’s good for the environment. We can’t stop “Trash Happens”, but we can be part of the solution.

Why not try it? Jump on board and pick up some trash every time you’re out and about. You’ll be amazed at how great it feels.

How Big Crowds Make A Big Difference

Eco Patriots are carbon savvy, Eco Patriots are compost savvy, Eco Patriots are energy savvy, Eco Patriots are recycle savvy, Eco Patriots are waste savvy No Responses »

Aug 302016

It’s almost fall. The dog days of summer are coming to a close. The kids are going back to school. And it’s the beginning of football season! America sure does love its football. But those college and NFL games that we love so much have a bigger impact on our environment than you may realize.

It is estimated that over 65 million fans attend collegiate and professional games annually. That’s just the people inside the stadiums! This estimate does not include the fans tailgating in the parking lot, eating in restaurants near the venue, or the fans gathering at a friend’s house to watch the game.

These fans generate a lot of stuff that needs to be dealt with, and it’s not just the trash that goes to a landfill. There are numerous other impacts: there are the carbon emissions from the fans traveling to the venue via car or plane; the electricity to power the stadium, restaurants, and hotels where fans are staying; the food scraps and foodservice packaging generated by the concession stands; the inevitable human waste. All of this material is being generated inside and outside the stadiums – in the parking lots by tailgaters, at local bars where fans are celebrating, and at a good friend’s house hosting a cookout for the big game.

Folsom Field at the University of Colorado was the first major college football stadium in the country to attempt to go “zero waste”, and Eco-Products has been a part of that effort since the beginning. Most of what we have learned about what to do and what not to do as it relates to large scale waste diversion we learned from our friends at CU. Next Saturday we’ll begin our 9th season working with CU on diverting a much waste as possible from Folsom Field, and we’ll be a part of a new VIP tailgate experience on the new Franklin Field that will be a zero waste zone as well – the first of its kind outside the stadium gates.

Colleges and professional sports teams are taking action to minimize this impact. For example, the NFL is working with a non-profit, Rock and Wrap It Up, to recover prepared foods and distribute the recovered food to the homeless shelters or food banks near stadiums. The EPA has a Game Day Challenge, where colleges compete against each other to see who can reduce, reuse, and recycle the most during an event. The Ohio State Football team is composting all food scraps at the Horseshoe in Columbus. Numerous stadiums in the NFL have revamped lighting systems to consume less electricity, and some sports venues are providing compostable plates or recycling bags to tailgaters.

As awareness around sustainability grows, more sport teams and venues will continue to jump on the bandwagon by adopting green initiatives. The next time you are at a stadium, take a look around to see what kind of green solutions your favorite team is implementing. If you don’t see much evidence of sustainability in action, consider letting your team know that you’d cheer even louder if they took additional steps to minimize their environmental impacts.

Here are some resources on the topic of sustainability in sports:

The Natural Resources Defense Council – Comprehensive study on sustainability in sports by this nonprofit working to protect the air, land, and water from pollution.
The Green Sports Alliance – Leveraging the cultural and market influence of sports to promote healthy, sustainable communities.
The GameDay Challenge – A friendly recycling and diversion competition among Colleges and Universities.
EPA Wastewise – Encourages organizations and businesses to achieve sustainability in their practices and reduce select industrial wastes.

Planning a Summer Event? Think Zero Waste

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Jul 062016

It’s that time of year for summer picnics, get togethers and general outdoor enjoyment. Food and drink are inevitably a part of the festivities, which means many of us will default to disposables for serving because who wants to face collecting reusables to be washed later when you could be, I don’t know. . . playing volleyball or sipping margs (or both) instead?

This seems like a good time to offer Eco Patriots (and anyone else who is interested) some tips on zero waste summer fun. At the end of this article is a link to another article with some good info for minimizing waste at your outdoor extravaganza.

Please note in the article they offer up biodegradable disposables as a good alternate to reusable serving ware. Of course they mean compostable. This is just a hint of the confusion and misunderstanding in our industry in general. For more info on the distinction, check out this FAQ, and read under the compostable heading.

I happen to know a place where you can pick up some compostable foodservice items for your event. Mary Hubbard can help you place your order, if you ask nicely and give her plenty of notice before you actually need them. And no, they’re not free.

As every Eco-Products sales person knows well, striving for a zero waste event means ending up with a bag of recyclables, a bag of compostables, and maybe a very tiny bag of trash. It requires some extra set up and planning, but if you have access to commercial composting and a recycling program, it’s entirely possible. Here in Boulder, we are fortunate to have both. Here are some pointers:

If you use any compostable servingware, use ALL compostable servingware. It really simplifies things to be able to say “if it touched food or drink, put it in the bin marked COMPOSTABLE.” Since bottles and cans are commonly recycled, a good goal is to recycle these, then compost everything else (although you’ll have to account for the random candy bar wrapper some teenager brought in).
Three bin system. You’ll want well-marked bins (boxes, trash bins) for Recycle, Compost, & Landfill. It helps to tape samples of the actual compostable items to the compost bin, and a bottle and can on the recycle bin for easy reference. Or, make some posters if you’re feeling artsy fartsy. A visibly smaller landfill bin can help send the message this is the least desirable option. Note that Eco-Cycle rents bins for reasonable rates.
Find a home for all three streams. Landfill and recycling are typically easy. If you need help finding a composter, contact Eco-Cycle if you’re in the Boulder area. They coordinate zero waste events all the time. Beyond the Front Range, check out www.findacomposter.com.
If your event is large enough to have staff or volunteers, have a kick-off meeting explaining the zero waste thing and the 3 bin system. Yes, you’ll have to suffer the embarrassment of talking about it and may suffer a few “to near the Boulder bubble” jokes in the process. If there are no staff or volunteers, just spread the word to your pals.
Expect to spend some time being a Trash Goalie to help folks figure out what goes in what bin. It isn’t rocket science, but people really benefit from a little guidance. Recruit some of your poor friends and family who have already suffered through your endless eco-jargon filled rants to help out.
Don’t be a smarty pants or make people feel guilty for not knowing what to do at the bins. This will be a great learning experience for what our sales folks are ultimately up against. Plastic and foam have reigned for a long time, a plastic looking cup, even with the green swoop, still looks like trash to most people.

Really it’s not as hard as I’m making it sound. And if I can manage it with a bunch of right-wing eastern Colorado beet farmer progeny. Anyone can do it.

Read this article with more tips applicable to summer entertaining.

Throwaway Culture

Eco Patriots are recycle savvy, Eco Patriots are waste savvy 1 Response »

Mar 212016

Did you know that there are SOCKS that are guaranteed for LIFE?

Today when something breaks, wears, or simply becomes obsolete it is quickly tossed and replaced by a newer, shinier and just-as-unreliable version. There are many drivers for this culture, including the fact cheap labor makes cranking out new products something that can be done with ease. There is also social pressure to always have “the latest and greatest”, making “old” products less desirable. Another big issue is that parts and accessories become hard to find or are incompatible between brands and models.

As our non-renewable resources continue to deplete, some in danger of running out altogether, it is crucial to find ways to make wares easily repairable or create items that simply never wear out. Luckily this idea is becoming a trend and it’s catching on fairly quickly.

Companies like Patagonia, Darn Tough Socks, and Dr. Martens are understanding this need, and offer free repairs when their merchandise breaks or simply wears out. They also build their products to last from the beginning making sure “that your gear has a long and interesting life.”

There is also a website, called IFIXIT that has thousands of step-by-step guides to fix everything from your leaking shower head to your Super Nintendo from 1991. They also sell the parts, tools, needed and have an answer forum to help you tackle the projects yourself.

So the next time you are purchasing a soccer ball for your favorite child or are ready to toss your favorite jacket because of a broken zipper, take a few moments to change the throwaway culture. If a sock can last a lifetime, so can anything else.

Agreement Among World Leaders – Yea, It Really Happened

Uncategorized No Responses »

Jan 192016

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
-Mark Twain

Did you know the United Nations convened a meeting last month that most are calling the most important conference on climate change in history?

It is true. At the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) in Paris, the first ever universal climate agreement was adopted on December 12th 2015. For 21 years, leaders from science, policy, business, NGO, and faith communities have met annually to come up with a response to the scientific consensus that the earth is growing warmer due to greenhouse gas emissions generated by human activity.

One of the main goals in the response was to keep the rise in temperature below 2° Celsius. 2° C increase in temperature is considered the tipping point beyond which life on earth would look drastically different due to factors such as shifting climate regions impacting agriculture and habitable land, increases in extreme weather events, and rising sea levels.

An additional call to action is required. Even though 186 countries published their action plan to reduce carbon emissions prior to December 12, 2015, a recent study has shown that even with these action plans in place the temperatures will still increase to between 2.7° C and 3° C. The Paris agreement has asked these countries to review their plan every 5 years; they will not be able to lower their targets and are encouraged to raise them instead.

Money will also be needed to deal with the results of climate change as well as the cost of lowering greenhouse gas emissions. The agreement has acknowledged that $100 billion will need to be raised each year starting in 2020.

Since we are all in this together and we will all pay the consequences of doing nothing, the agreement makes all nations responsible for contributing to the solution. Industrialized countries will have to fund climate finance for poor countries, while developing countries will voluntarily work to growing their economies without relying solely on dirty fuels, like today’s industrialized economies. There will be a transparent system to track progress and keep everyone accountable. While the agreement isn’t perfect, it’s a fantastic start. The fact we have a global agreement to address climate change is a huge accomplishment to be celebrated.

Much More Information

Reduce Unused Food This Holiday Season

Eco Patriots are waste savvy No Responses »

Dec 212015

‘Tis the season for the holidays! For many of us the holidays are a time for gathering with family and friends and sharing plenty of food, drink and merriment. And for many households, more food is prepared than can be consumed.

Here in the U.S. we leave an insane amount of food unused. An average family of four leaves behind nearly $1,600 to $2,000 each year to food that is purchased but not eaten. Unfortunately of that unused food, 35 million tons goes to the landfill every year. “For the business sector, that economic impact is even more staggering,” says Mathy Stanislaus, assistant administrator to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM).

A big part of addressing the problem is creating an awareness and educating the public on the social, economic and environmental impacts of unused food. With a better understanding of these impacts, setting goals to measure and improve food management is key to reducing food that becomes waste. In September 2015, the EPA and U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a new food-reduction goal: to cut the country’s food waste 50 percent by 2030.

What can we do to reduce unused food? Starting small is usually always a good approach. Buy only what you need, plan and save, and be a smart consumer. Be aware of buying big quantities in an effort to save. Finally, make sure to use those composters! Composting food is vital to reaching our reduction goal, as it is how we keep unused food from becoming waste. Here are some resources for becoming more food savvy:

Let’s Talk Trash – USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion has developed a new infographic which provides food waste & loss facts and reduction tips.

FoodKeeper App – helps you understand food and beverage storage food and beverage storage.

EPS’s suggestions for reducing food waste.

How do you find a commercial composter near you? Check out www.findacomposter.com. It’s an on-line database that is searchable by ZIP code.

Hopefully we can all think of ways to be more mindful of limiting our unused food not only at the holidays but throughout the year. On that note, I like this fitting quote by EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, “Let’s feed people, not landfills.”

Happy Holidays

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