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PenStrengthening Scores a Hat Trick
Penford Products announced PenStrength™ as a way for recycled paperboard users to (1) increase strength while (2) lowering production costs and, for the hat trick (3) it is biobased. While making the announcement Penford indicates users will experience a $10-40 per ton cost reduction when using the cationic polymer. According to the release PenStrength™ enhances the binding of pulp fibers to make recycled paperboard stronger, allowing producers to make premium grade paperboard.
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A Less-Bitter End for Coffee Cups
Coffee is always in the news and why not, with these two companies offering two different disposal options. End result is options and creating jobs. To wordplay the Kia commercial "you can deal with this..." rap song "The Choice is yours" by the Black Sheep, you can deal with this retail/coffee shop option noted at Recyclingtoday.com: James Cropper Develops Technology to Recycle Disposable Coffee Cups. Recyclingtoday says technology from James Cropper will allow companies to separate the plastics from the cups, leaving paper pulp that can be recycled into high-quality paper.
Or, you can deal with this biodegradable pod option from Canterbury Coffee, as reported by EnvironmentalLeader.com. EL reports it is only 92% biodegradable because of the nylon filter. Canterbury says it's working on substituting it with a biodegradable alternative such as polyethylene furanoate. Canterbury Coffee Develops 92% Biodegradable Single Server Pod |
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Food to energy=jobs
This one my boss forwarded on to me - as a heads-up to get this month's sheet out - from Switchboard NRDC Staff Blog by Dana Gunde: Massachusetts Leads the Way on Food Waste; and, coincidental because at the very same time I was speaking with Wisconsin's waste & waste reduction expert, Jonathan Riven. Some readers may know Jonathan for his great work in this space, and I am grateful and fortunate to have him here in Stevens Point.
Dana discusses food waste in the simplest terms, and sounds the alarm:
"Food scraps beware! That cozy retirement in landfills that most of your predecessors have had is quickly fading as your fate. A movement is afoot to make you work tirelessly to produce energy and give back your nutrients." #ItsTheNewCarbonEconomy -addition by me.
Dana goes on to discuss anaerobic digestion and composting in some of the best writing I have come across on the topic of methane emissions from simple food waste. Everyone knows I can't write, but Dana, she lays the foundation for why we need a comprehensive effort to reduce food waste on many fronts: jobs. |
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Hometown hero
George Dreckmann, City of Madison Recycling Director, continues to lead efforts to change behavior to save taxpayer money. George's new effort to reduce landfill tipping fees - $45 per ton average in Wisconsin - started a couple of years ago with curbside organic pick-up. Now he is looking to add a digester to the city's waste handling arsenal.
The Wisconsin State Journal reported the story as American Family Insurance joining George's effort to create a better tomorrow. I see it as George reaching out to his community and being a true hero people can look up to. Read the story here |
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Agendas...events...networking... |
TAPPI PEERS Conference 2013 September 15-18, Hyatt on Main, Green Bay, WI More information |
Co-located with TAPPI PEERS Conference 2013 International Bioenergy and Bioproducts Conference, September 18-20, Hyatt on Main, Green Bay, WI. More information |
Hands-on Papermaking Registration is now open for the next Hands-on Papermaking course. October 3-4 at WIST. More information |
Focal Point 2013: Frontiers in Packaging October 22 at Dreyfus University Center, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. More information |
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Looking for sustainability solutions for your business or organization? WIST laboratory services is ready to work with you.
John Baldus
WIST Director of Laboratory Services
715-346-3265
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