Recent studies have highlighted how much food we waste (both in preparation and in the disposal of scraps) but we are also throwing away some perfectly recyclable other stuff, like paper. Why is this, and what can we do about it? Here’s a look at what Ontario householders put in their trash, somewhat arbitrarily divided […]
Why do we junk so much good stuff? Read More »
The world’s first Blue Box system was launched in Ontario over 30 years ago, went on to win a United Nations award, and today remains a convenient and easy method of collecting various materials from households and sending them on for recycling. At heart, though, the Blue Box is a Paper Box. The major material
Blue Box great for household paper: almost 80% recovered Read More »
Vous avez sans doute entendu parler des « bureaux sans papier ». Que dire des « maisons sans papier »? Cela est loin d’être réalité… Le volume de papier qui entre dans nos maisons aujourd’hui est légèrement en deçà de celui d’il y a dix ans. Les types de papier utilisés ont toutefois beaucoup changé. Depuis la révolution
Des maisons sans papier? Read More »
A third independent scientific study has raised concerns about re-using plastic crates to deliver fresh produce to retailers. This time it’s from the Center for Food Safety at the University of Arkansas((The two earlier studies, by food scientists at the University of Guelph and the University of California (Davis), are referenced in a previous blog.)).
Food scientist warns retailers that live bacteria on crates is like a “smoking gun” Read More »
The battle between the corrugated box and the plastic crate industries for market share in the fresh produce sector has traditionally been fought on both economic and environmental grounds. These arguments will continue, although it’s unlikely that any peer-reviewed life cycle analysis will ever deliver a knock-out punch to either of the combatants. The box
It’s not as simple as re-use versus recycling Read More »
It was the garbage barge that did it. Over several months in 1987, the waste-packed Mobro 4000 chugged between US ports, hoping to offload its increasingly smelly cargo. Port after port refused to accept it. Turned away by Mexico and Belize, the “most watched load of garbage in the memory of man” took on a
A lasting legacy of New York’s famous garbage barge, PPEC turns 25 Read More »
The North American paper packaging industry has served notice that it will challenge (legally, if necessary) any false and misleading claims about its operations and environmental impact. Case in point: major plastic crate supplier, IFCO. IFCO is lobbying North American grocery retailers to move away from the traditional corrugated box system of delivering fruit and
False and misleading claims removed from IFCO website Read More »
The latest report on the state of Canada’s forests by the federal government department that’s charged with monitoring it (Natural Resources Canada) has a graphic that succinctly explains much of what PPEC has been writing about during the course of the year. The Deforestation Myth: Most of the deforestation occurring in the world is happening
State of Canada’s forests explained in one easy to understand graphic Read More »
Lettre ouverte à François Dufresne, président et chef de la direction de FSC Canada. Monsieur Dufresne, I recognize that FSC is in a three-way fight for market share in the forest and paper certification business, and that part of that fight is your recent launch of a new video plug for FSC aimed at the
FSC induit les Canadiens en erreur en ternissant l’image des emballages de papier Read More »
We hosted an excellent morning seminar recently that covered a lot of ground regarding paper packaging and the environment. At least that’s the feedback we’re getting, so we’ll take it! For a flavour of the event, check out this short video summary. First up was a presentation on the challenges and opportunities the industry faces.
This is not a puff piece but … Read More »
