Sustainable packaging

1. Sustainable packaging is the development and use of packaging which results in improved sustainability. It involves increased use of life cycle inventory and life cycle assessment to help guide the use of packaging which reduces the environmental impact and ecological footprint. The goals are to improve the long term viability and quality of life for humans and the longevity of natural ecosystems. Sustainable packaging must meet the functional and economic needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Sustainable packaging is a relatively new addition to the environmental considerations for packaging. It requires more analysis and documentation to look at the package design, choice of materials, processing, and life cycle. This is not just the vague "green movement" that many businesses and companies have been trying to include over the past years. Companies implementing these eco-friendly actions are reducing their carbon footprint, using more recycled materials, reusing more package components, etc. They often encourage suppliers, contract packagers, and distributors to do likewise.

Environmental marketing claims on packages need to be made (and read) with caution. Ambiguous titles such as green packaging and environmentally friendly can be confusing without specific definition. Some regulators, such as the US Federal Trade Commission, are providing guidance to packagers.

Packagers have long been reusing and recycling packaging when economically viable. Using minimal packaging has also been a goal for packagers to help reduce costs. Recent years have accelerated these efforts based on social movements, consumer pressure, and regulation.

2. The criteria for ranking packaging based on their sustainability is an active area of development: ASTM Committee D-10 on Packaging and the Institute of Packaging Professionals are currently experimenting with a rankings system. General guidance, metrics, checklists, and scorecards are being published by several groups. Government, standards organizations, consumers, retailers, and packagers are considering several types of criteria.

The broad goals of sustainable packaging are:

1. Functional - product protection, safety, regulatory compliance, etc;

2. Cost effective - if it is too expensive, it is unlikely to be used;

3. Support long-term human and ecological health.

Specific factors for sustainable design of packaging may include:

• Use of minimal materials - reduced packaging, reduced layers of packaging, lower mass (product to packaging ratio), lower volume, etc.

• Logistics efficiency (through complete life cycle) - cube utilization, tare weight, enablement of efficient transportation, etc.

• Energy efficiency, total energy content and usage, use of renewable energy, etc.

• Recycled content - as available and functional.

• Recyclability - recovery value, use of materials which are frequently and easily recycled, reduction of materials which hinder recyclability of major components, etc.

• Reusability of packaging - repeated reuse of package, reuse for other purposes, etc.

• Use of renewable resources in packaging

• Use of biodegradable materials - when appropriate and do not cause contamination of the recycling stream

• Avoid the use of materials toxic to humans or the environment

• Effects on atmosphere/climate - ozone layer, greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide and methane), volatile organic compounds, etc.

• Water use, reuse, treatment, waste, etc.

3. Some aspects of environmentally sound packaging are required by regulators while others are decisions made by each packager. Investors, employees, management, and customers can influence corporate decisions and help set policies. When investors seek to purchase stock, companies known for their positive environmental policy can be attractive. Potential stockholders and investors see this as a solid decision: lower environmental risks lead to more capital at cheaper rates. Companies that highlight their environmental status to consumers, can boost sales as well as product reputation. Going green is often a sound investment that can pay off.

4. The process of engineering more environmentally acceptable packages can include consideration of the costs. Some companies claim that their environmental packaging program is cost effective. Some alternative materials that are recycled/recyclable and/or less damaging to the environment can lead to companies incurring increased costs. Though this is common when any product begins to carry the true cost of its production (producer pays, producer responsibility laws, take-back laws). There may be an expensive and lengthy process before the new forms of packaging are deemed safe to the public, and approval may take up to two years. It is important to note here, that for most of the developed world, tightening legislation, and changes in major retailer demand the question is no longer "if" products and packaging should become more sustainable, but how-to and how-soon to do it.

5. Many companies are active in standards and trade associations to coordinate efforts. The United Nations predicts that the market will be about 2.74 billion dollar by the year 2020, nearly doubling the current market demand for green products. Apple Computers has declared that it ships its products in packaging which is more sustainable allowing the company to ship more products per shipping container. It signed a contract with a packaging company that uses potato starch to create packaging materials described as 100% recyclable.

Ex.6. Discuss these questions in pairs.

1. What is the goals of sustainable packaging?

2. What aspects should companies take into consideration to follow green packaging? Give examples of sustainable package design.

3. Can going green be profitable for a company? In what way?

4. Do you know any companies which produce green products in your country or abroad?

5. What’s your opinion about sustainable packaging? Do you think people need it?

Ex. Complete the chart with the words associated with the notion “sustainable packaging” and make a presentation.

SP* - Sustainable Packaging

Ex. Read the text again. Then, working with a partner, retell it to each other in your own words.

Ex. Make up collocations matching the words from the box to the words below.

cycle acceptable footprint ecosystems impact

shipping alternative green sales sound claims

1. environmental ……….. 2. life ………... 3. …………. movement 4. ecological …………

5. ………… investment 6. natural ………… 7. environmentally …………. 8. boost ……….. 9. ................ materials 10. …………. container 11. marketing …………

Ex.15. Find the following words in the text about sustainable packaging. Two definitions are given below for each of them. Study the context in which they occur in the text and decide in each case which is the best definition a) or b).

1. longevity	a) long life; great duration of life b) length or duration of life
2. vague	a) lacking definite shape, form, or character b) not clear, distinct or definite in meaning or application
3. to implement	a) to put into practical effect; carry out b) to supply with implements
4. guidance	a) something that provides instruction or advice b) the act of guiding or showing the way
5. to highlight	a) to apply a highlighter to one's cheeks or eyebrows in order to make them more prominent b) to make prominent; to emphasize
6. to incur	a) to acquire or come into, to sustain b) to become liable or subject to as a result of one's actions; bring upon oneself
7. approval	a) the formal act of approving b) a feeling of liking something or someone good

Ex. Use the words from ex.15 to complete the following sentences.

1. A European trade association offered a __________ on packaging standards which will have an impact on the businesses of every sector of the packaging chain, from raw material producers to end users of packaging.

2. Many firms are already in compliance with packaging requirements and will __________ no new packaging costs as a result of the Recycling Initiative.

3. Some people believe that in future there will be many more sophisticated ways in which packaging can support the __________ of a brand.

4. Every package designer should keep the target consumer in mind e.g. if the product is meant for kids then its packaging should __________ the images that utmost appeal to kids, such as cartoon character.

5. A packaging engineer must have a number of comprehensive, up-to-date strategies, which help him to devise, assess and ______ packaging designs and practices.

6. Many messages on packaging are too __________ to be of any use.

Look at the table below and give your examples of products which packaging you can recycle. Pay your attention to the symbols which commonly appear on recyclable packaging products.

	Aluminium
	Plastic packaging with one of the logos below the table
	Paper, except shredded paper and wrapping paper
	Steel
	Cardboard or
	Glass

Plastics

There is a wide range of plastics used in packaging. To make sorting and thus recycling easier, a standard marking code is developed to help consumers identify and sort the main types of plastic.

PET	Polyethylene terephthalate - Fizzy drink bottles and oven-ready meal trays.
HDPE	High-density polyethylene - Bottles for milk and washing-up liquids.
PVC	Polyvinyl chloride - Food trays, cling film, bottles for squash, mineral water and shampoo.
LDPE	Low density polyethylene - Carrier bags and bin liners.
PP	Polypropylene - Margarine tubs, microwaveable meal trays.
PS	Polystyrene - Yoghurt pots, foam meat or fish trays, hamburger boxes and egg cartons, vending cups, plastic cutlery, protective packaging for electronic goods and toys.
OTHER	Any other plastics that do not fall into any of the above categories. - An example is melamine, which is often used in plastic plates and cups.

You are going to read the text about reusable packaging. Before reading it discuss the following questions, then read the text and say if it contains new methods of reusing you would like to try.

1. Have you ever reused any packaging you buy? Which type of it do you usually reuse?

2. Do you reuse packaging because of economy or considering environment issues?

3. Can you give helpful tips for those who want to reuse packaging?

• TEXT 2.

RE-USE THAT PACKAGING "TRASH" FOR HOUSEHOLD NEEDS

Many of the goods we buy come with layers of packaging material. We tend to treat this as garbage and simply toss it in our trash bags, which we have also just purchased. But there are so many ways to re-use these bits and pieces of material for basic household needs. In fact, there is much perfectly good material we throw in the trash, just to turn around and buy it in the store!

Cereal packaging = cardstock & wax paper

Every time you buy another box of those Honey Nut Cheerios, the cereal is encased not only in a box, but also in an inner bag. These two layers are like a two-for-one deal. This bag material makes a great substitute for wax paper, while the box is a nicely sized piece of cardstock. Cut up, it could serve as dividers between paper work, provide a sturdy background for a sign, or be used for anything else for which you may need light cardboard.

Plastic grocery bags = trash bags

This may seem obvious, but we continue to get our groceries in plastic bags, throw away the bags, and then buy trash bags. Many grocery stores now offer to recycle these grocery bags, but the bags can be even more useful than that. Rather than buying the extra plastic bags, use your grocery bags as garbage bags. This may work best for bathroom trash, but it can be made to work for the kitchen as well.

Comic strips, magazines = wrapping paper

Comics from the Sunday paper are pretty colorful and the cartoons make a perfectly good wrapping paper for many occasions, especially for kids--this also saves on spending money on nice paper which will soon be torn to bits. Nice magazine ad pages are perfect for small gifts, or can be taped together or collaged for larger gifts. One year my boyfriend received a birthday gift from me wrapped in ads with stunning women from my magazines and it was the best "wrapping paper" he'd seen.

Printer paper box = file cabinet

These boxes that hold 10 reams of letter-sized printer/copier paper are naturally the perfect size for storing papers of this size. I store all of my research articles in one of these, with cereal box dividers.

Plastic tubs = food storage

This is probably another given, but is still valuable. Every time you buy a tub of margarine, cream cheese, or something similar, you've obtained another food storage container. This is a particularly great item to re-use as these tubs are not usually accepted for recycling. Just note that these containers are probably not microwave safe. Some deli meats are now sold in Glad ware, giving you genuine food storage containers.

These are just a few ideas that will hopefully spark you to think about how you can use what seemed like trash for common household needs. Remember that this saves money, and also helps the strain on our environment. It also forces your brain to work a little more creatively, something that everyone can benefit from.

Read the definitions and give a word for each one (1-8). The first letter is already there. There is one space for each other letter in the word.

To insert something in envelope or package.	e_ _ _ _ _ _
It is an unwanted material or substance. It is also referred to as rubbish, trash, waste, or junk.	g_ _ _ _ _ _
It is used to line the insides of waste containers to prevent the insides of the receptacle from becoming coated in waste material.	t _ _ _ _ b _ _
Somebody or something that takes the place of another.	s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
To stimulate or initiate a burst of activity.	s_ _ _ _
It is a kind of paper designed and decorated for wrapping gifts.	w _ _ _ _ _ _ _ p_ _ _ _
It is a medium sized bag, used by grocery shoppers to carry home their purchases.	g _ _ _ _ _ _ b _ _
To get, to become the possessor of smth.	o _ _ _ _ _

Complete the sentences with suitable words from the box. Use each word only once.

garbage wax paper wrapping paper obtain spark recycle

1. The more we ________, the less we must take from the natural world.

2. All domestic ________ must be placed in tied, durable plastic bags or in watertight metal or plastic containers with handles.

3. __________ is commonly used in cooking, for its non-stick properties, and wrapping food for storage, such as cookies, as it keeps water out or in.

4. We work with our clients to ________ the most creative, cost effective methods of packaging their products.

5. Some manufacturers are convinced that 'green' packaging can _______ more sales.

6. The materials that go into making some ________ result in it not always being accepted for recycling.

Fill in the gaps with the correct word derived from the word given in capitals at the end of each line.