We all want to do our best to live green and make the world a cleaner place. When it comes to holidays though, I don’t always think about what is the greenest way to make the holidays environmentally friendly. Recently I have come across a great site that is focused on green products and living green. The site, www.ecoenthusiast.com , has great tips on different green topics and unique items of interest. Today I came across the article on how to make Valentine’s Day green. There are many great ideas there about how to make your Valentine’s green. Some of the great Valentine’s Day ideas that were in the post included sending e-cards, or saving a trip and having a romantic dinner at home. Or if you were going to buy gifts, it was suggested to buy from local craft fairs or better yet make it yourself! No matter what you do this Valentine’s Day, or any other holiday it is always great to find unique ideas on how to make it green. In this case with Valentine’s Day around the corner I would encourage you to see what the “ecoenthusiast” has in mind!
Did you reuse your cotton bag 327 times?
As crazy as it may sound, plastic shopping bags have risen to the top of the environmental scene – not as a villain but as the winner!
A report released by the Environmental Agency in England has shown though life cycle analysis that plastic shopping bags are most often the best environmental solution, especially if you reuse them once as a can liner (or to clean up after your dog).
The actual report can be downloaded here: Plastic Bag Environmental Comparison
So, unless you reuse your paper bag 6-7 times, or your cotton bag over 327 times, when the cashier asks “Paper or Plastic?” stick with the plastic!
Who is on your front line?
I am an avid recycler, I diligently sort my trash; separate out the paper, glass, aluminum and plastic bottles from the rest of the waste. I even take the recycling home from my office because our complex does not offer recycling. But just last week, my recycle loving world was turned upside down…
After the holidays, I had 3 large cardboard boxes ready for my curbside recycling pickup. I was able to fit one in the can and the other two I sat carefully next to the can on the roadside (check out the photo with this blog). When the recycle truck came by, I watched in awe as the driver first crushed my can; had to get out of his truck to pick up the can and pull the box out of it; then hop back in his truck and drive off. He never even touched the other two boxes! Why, I thought, could he take a box out of the can, but not pick up the same size box from next to the can? Does it make sense to send another truck out to get the remaining boxes? What about the extra fuel consumption? How does this impact the environmental picture?
My entire mood for the day was dampened by this frustration and I even began to wonder why I should go through the effort of recycling when the collection crew obviously did not care to take it.
Earlier this week I had another experience, while boarding the city metro I was greeted by a cheerful smile and a driver asking how my day was going! This driver was amazing! A kind word to every passenger as they boarded; she made sure to know every stop each passenger needed; and even chased down another bus through several stops to make sure one of her passengers made their connection! The ride was so utterly enjoyable, that I began to search for additional routes that I may be able to take on future occasions. I began to calculate how much time and fuel I could possibly save by using the metro as opposed to driving; how much more productive my time could be; and the extra environmental impact I could make by doing so.
As I stepped off the metro, I reflected on these two events and realized the immense impact that such simple gestures could have. One causing me to question my desire to recycle and the other igniting a desire to find creative ways to add more public transportation in my life. Each of these people impacted my life, my views and my actions without even knowing it. These people are the ones on the front line in every company, interacting with your customers and leaving a message with them. They are often not the highest paid, or even the most recognized – but in many ways, they may be the most important and they are the front line of your company. Giving them inspiration, or desperation; loyalty to you or to your competition; saying we want your business, you are a valued customer and we appreciate you.
Or are they saying something different?
It’s a Polymergency and I Want to Talk Trash…
Let’s face it; nobody knows what to do about it. Seattle just banned the bags, there are entire towns banning the bottles, and California has banned any decision making process all together. If you don’t know about it or if you’re just blatantly unaware, there is a subject that’s coming to a movie theatre near you – literally. Films such as “Bag It” and “Addicted to Plastic” are just a couple of eye opening documentaries that are meant to be wake-up calls to the general public to stop and take notice. I remember seeing Food Inc. for the first time; it’s a snap back to reality. This particular wake-up call is screaming – PLASTIC! And it all correlates with each other, feedstock, energy, governments, the environment, industry power-players, and the ability to make wise(r) choices. We have a polymergency! You may not see it out your front door, but if you care to look out the proverbial back door, you will find that we’re swimming in plastics. 200 billion pounds of it is being produced every year and growing at a ferocious rate, most all of it, despite your own good intentions, is heading for a landfill…and it’s not going away.
There are plenty of intertwined storylines, but it boils down to three choices and what’s right – right now. First, you have your PLA’s (polylactic acid), made from corn starch. This is the choice to compost, Industrial Compost, not your backyard contraption. It’s sourced from feedstock with GMOs to harvest a specific type of crop – red flags should already be flying. If you’re not sure where I’m heading here, then I recommend “Food, Inc.” an enlightening description about genetic engineering and our food supply. Nevertheless, the PLA technology lacks the performance characteristics of tradition plastics (low melting point and poor barriers) and, by definition and despite the claims, it is not actually biodegradable. Ideally, and a stretch for sure, this type of plastic ends up in an industrial composting facility. If the compost facility actually accepts it (although not likely), it is lovingly processed into the “organic” soil under a very controlled environment. Otherwise, it’s considered a contaminant in the recycling stream and it’s undoubtedly going to a landfill.
Then there are the oxo-degradables, the choice to degrade. Okay, let’s get this out of the way, “Biodegradability” means that the organic material is capable of being broken down into innocuous products by the action of living things (as microorganisms). But, because everything eventually decays over time (albeit a ridiculous amount of time for plastic); this term is being unreasonably used when describing oxo-degradables as oxo-“bio”degradables. Oxo-degradables do just that, degrade. The technology certainly makes it look like its biodegrading. Have you ever picked-up an old brittle piece of plastic that just breaks apart in your hand? Basically, there are metal-ions interspersed along the polymer chain. When an oxo-degradable plastic is exposed to UV light and oxygen (which occurs immediately), like any metal, the ions deteriorate. The plastic becomes brittle and it breaks apart into tiny pieces of itself and contaminating, not biodegrading, into the soil and food chain. Obviously, there are shelf-life issues with oxo’s and, like PLA’s, they’re not welcome in the recycling stream. They’re heading for a landfill, and since this technology requires oxygen to degrade, and most landfills are an anaerobic (without oxygen), the plastic won’t degrade, let alone “biodegrade.”
Now a different technology has emerged, a technology which proves actual accelerated biodegradation without affecting the properties of traditional plastic. This is the ENSO technology that’s causing such misunderstanding for the California legislatures, and curiously enough, for the time being, their answer is to only allow you to be informed if the product is compostable (PLA). Considering the fact that the chances of your plastic trash being introduced into a composting facility, if you are actually able to find one in your area, are slim to none, this this is a peculiar line for California to take a stance on. The ENSO technology is an FDA approved and scientifically proven additive that maintains all the phenomenal characteristic of traditional plastic. The technology works with the recycling stream and the accelerated biodegradation occurs when the plastic enters a highly microbial aerobic/anaerobic environment (landfills). In comparison studies, when weighing factors such as sourcing, shelf-life, and end-of-life factors, the ENSO technology for biodegradation is simply a better choice.
Our scientific technology is moving towards better answers, but this is going to take time. Yet, with 100 million tons of plastic being dropped on our doorstep every year, we need to embrace proven newcomers to the scene. The answer isn’t to take away the bag or the bottle; it’s to choose a better bag or bottle. And it’s certainly not time to cripple advancements with bureaucratic finagling. Also, before we get too wrapped-up in the “green washing” of new technologies coming to market, we should start asking tougher questions. Just because something is labeled with a “feel-good” name and has “feel-good” pictures accompanying the marketing campaigns, does not mean it’s better for our environment. We are burying ourselves in plastic trash and separating the wheat from the chaff, or the marketing from the innovation, is going to be a critical step in improving our methods and preventing us from further trashing our planet.
Screw Business As Usual
Richard Branson’s new book, “Screw Business As Usual” presents a very compelling story that it’s time to turn capitalism upside down and shift our primary business values away from profit only and to start caring for the people, communities and resources of the planet. I’ve always admired Richard Branson’s approach to business and life. I’ve enjoyed reading all of his books and this one was no different. It was refreshing to read a book about topics that everyone here at ENSO is so passionate about.
I see a shift happening in the business environment. At ENSO, we see and hear about it on a daily basis. Entrepreneurs and businesses are moving away from the traditional thoughts about how to do business. They are moving towards creating businesses, cultures and people that have a greater purpose than “what’s in it for them” and looking at the way they do business as “what’s the right thing, or how can others benefit?” I also believe that the most successful business in the 21st century will be focused not just on profits, but on being good stewards and in making a positive difference in their communities and world.
Richard coins a concept found in the book, called Capitalism 24902. It’s an idea of expanding, and drastically changing, the concept of Capitalism from not just being about using up all of our resources in the race to maximize profits; but to move businesses and people in the direction of making the world a better place than the way we found it. This concept includes all of a business’ resources; both human and natural that fall within the 24,902 miles of our earths circumference.
Our company name – ENSO – was specifically chosen to embody our approach of looking at business and of our products reflecting the natural cycle of utilizing a resource for a beneficial and useful purpose and then to return it to a natural and useful state to be used again and again. We are dedicated to a goal of finding solutions with the least environmental impact. We don’t claim to have the “perfect” solution today, but we are proud that we have brought to market solutions taking us closer to a perfect solution.
Each one of us at ENSO has a commitment to a greater purpose. We recognize that everything is interconnected and it’s no good to say that the global problem are the responsibility of someone else to solve, all of us must take responsibility for making the world a better place. Our business philosophy is about adding value in all that we do and a belief that the money will come as a result. ENSO is not just here to maximize profits, we are here to help the planet and change the world and we believe it’s time we all say “Screw Business as Usual” and value the people and resources that make up our business, communities and world; after all, it’s the right thing to do…
I know many ENSO customers have started businesses focused on helping communities and changing the world. Share your story or idea for screwing business as usual for a chance to win a trip with Richard Branson to South Africa in 2012 and network with frontline leaders who are making a difference in the world. Click on this link to share your idea; http://virginunite.screwbusinessasusual.com/uploadvideo.php?s=0
Biodegradable Packaging-Nature Does it, We Should Too!
It dawned on me the other day when I was peeling a banana that nature uses its own “packaging” to protect food based material. Yes I am talking about the banana peel as the example. It seems as though a Banana will spoil within almost an hour when unpeeled, but if left in its peel (packaging) it will be protected for weeks being off the tree.
We peel oranges, bananas, corn etc. all paralleling the value ENSO plastics brings to the market. The phrase, “nature does not produce anything that it cannot then break back down into its basic components” is so perfectly illustrated in this banana peel example. Anyone will tell you, that when a banana peel is discarded in nature, they feel it will biodegrade (and I would also bet most would additionally picture someone slipping and landing on their backside because of a discarded Banana peel).
Nature accomplishes this miraculous process through the relentless activity of microorganisms designed to eat anything that has carbon available to “eat”. Fruit, vegetables, leaves, meat etc. are just a few examples of the millions of items that are produced by nature, which will break back down into its basic microscopic components through the process nature provides. These microbes are found everywhere, in fact there are more microbes found in a tablespoon of soil than inhabitants on the Earth. Microbes are commonly known in high colony activity known as mold or fungus.
This nature produced packaging is a perfect parallel to what ENSO packaging is doing. We see that we can initiate microbes to start the eating process of our treated plastic because they detect highly attractive food substances in our additive. Once they begin to consume the additive, their digestive process, or enzymatic response, expands to consume the whole of the plastic and the additive.
This feature of our plastic working in harmony with nature is at the heart of our message to the world. We can do things differently than we have in the past, and break out of “status quo”. We can embrace innovation to foster change, and work with nature as opposed to working against nature. The rewards overpower the downside when evaluated. The upside to utilizing ENSO is growing in its understanding and impact. Weather it is for a business wanting growth for doing the right thing, or the environmental impact of plastic on our planet, ENSO is here to help be a part of creating lasting, positive change.
During this New Year, we want to acknowledge those who are active in this change by utilizing ENSO material as part of their environmental mission. In some instances, change has required courage and passion. Anything worth-while has had to pass through the “growing pains” of society; hopefully those who have converted to ENSO has had more “growing” than they have had “pains”. But in any event, the issue is too great, and the opportunity too real for anyone to not stand up and demand more. So we want to invite others to create change for this New Year; to create a distinct legacy-whatever your position is at your company. We invite those making key decisions for materials at their company to stand up and create change. We invite those who need to learn more about ENSO to make the decision to open their minds and get educated-misunderstanding or ignorance is part of the problem we face as a society, education can open up so many possibilities. We invite all to hold ENSO to higher standard as well, and develop more information and answers to new questions and applications. I hope everyone has a New Year’s resolution to be actively engaged in positive change to our environment, and elevate the status quo at your company/position to a new level of reality; even a higher standard. We live in exciting times where someday I hope all of us can look back and say, “I was part of that great change in the market.”
Making green claims without ‘greenwashing’
by Sharmel Ali sharmel.ali@csr-asia.com, csr-asia.com
As environmental awareness is increasing in Asia, so is the rise of “Greenwashing” – i.e. making misleading claims or statements on the environmental credentials of products or processes.
Whilst consumers in this part of the world might not yet be as cynical as their Western counterparts, smart companies should look ahead and ensure that they get it right, to avoid future loss of consumer trust and confidence. However, not all ‘greenwash’ is deliberate, but is based on companies misunderstanding of terminologies or good practice. And consumers are still interested in bona-fide green credentials, so how can companies get it right:
- Do the homework –Ensure that the green claims of the business, product or service are true and consistent with wider business activities. Example: A large cosmetics company were promoting their fund-raising for breast cancer research, but were attacked by activists for including carcinogenic substances in its products
- Be honest and humble – Nothing is perfect and honesty goes a long way. If the business or company is not 100%, don’t pretend it is. By acknowledging the areas of products or business that are not yet green and show commitment towards addressing some of the concerns, there is a better chance that stakeholders will trust the claims that are made. A small modifying word can often do the trick. Example: Carlsberg’s longstanding “Probably the best beer in the world” – is almost impossible to dispute
- Provide documentation – The information and further/relevant details should be made accessible to the public. Are green claims certified based on established eco-labels, methods or experts? Companies should make it easier for customers to be able to understand and check on green claims being made. Example: M&S have an extensive website documenting and explaining all in-store claims
- Consult stakeholders – Engaging with stakeholders, both internal and external, in a dialogue on green marketing – is invaluable. It shows the company’s good intent, willingness to want to improve and its concern for the views of their stakeholders. This in itself is not only good practice but inherently a good branding opportunity. Companies can take the opportunity to find out if their green claims are acceptable to their staff, suppliers, customers, NGOs and the community and check on whether they are on the right track or seen to be greenwashing. Example: Several alcohol producers now have stakeholder panels who comment on whether their advertisement is ethical
An honest green story starts from inside the company, not from a marketing idea that a company tries to spin. Starting from an honest place does not mean that companies have to think small. Greenwash isn’t worth it – the longer term repercussions of dishonesty in ‘false’ claims without actual substance are more negative than positive at a time where consumers are becoming more aware, and where information is easily accessible. If a company seeks to jump on the green bandwagon and ultimately improve their green standing, branding and reputation – it is far better and more rewarding to take an honest, transparent and realistic approach in alignment with an actual proactive interest in understanding the real issues and in addressing them.
Doing What’s Right When Nobody’s Looking
In a time when environmentally conscious branding is paramount in marketing circles, the overall adoption of “Green” initiatives should be, first and foremost, a fundamental decision. Where choices are made based on what’s right instead of what’s convenient. Often, technologies advance so rapidly that legislation is caught playing “catch-up”. It is during these times that brands face the decision of doing what is the scientifically proven best choice for the environment or shelving this choice because of marketing obstacles.
Often the final decision comes down to the corporate integrity of the brand and personal devotions of those brands leaders. The “why do we do what we do?” question. Do you implement environmental measures because it is the right thing to do, or do you implement them because it may improve your bottom line?
For example: Novartis is an international company who has made a corporate commitment to pay a ‘living wage’ to all employees worldwide. This means that they are often paying above legally required minimum wage because they understand that minimum wage does not provide for basic human needs. They implemented this corporate directive, not because it improved their immediate bottom line; but because their corporate moral standing includes a belief that an appropriate standard of living should always be respected in the course of business.
This is a specific example about human rights issues, and environmental rights follow the same path. Many companies are in business simply to make money for the shareholders, while others hold themselves to a higher standard or social cause, whether that is human rights, environmental issues, legislative involvement or truth in advertising. When your brand faces these tough decisions, it is much like a refiner’s fire where the true moral standing of your brand shines through. When all is said and done, those companies that tout their environmental accountability through the integrity of that decision and not the convenience that it offers will be clearly recognized by the consumers as brands with integrity and moral.
ENSO Plastics is both proud and honored to be partnered with many brands and manufactures who stand behind their commitments, with the foundation of scientific research, to become leaders in the adoption of improved methods for a healthier planet.
The Maturing of Biodegradable Plastics
Striving for growth and improvement is a fundamental part of the human experience. We, as a whole, are never satisfied with status quo. This is true both personally and as a society. If one were to travel back in time to the beginning of any industry; we would discover a couple of things; industries began with the initial ideals of improving lives, they utilize best of current knowledge and understanding to bring those ideals to the masses and they improve over time. We can clearly see that as time marches on from the beginning days of each industry, the knowledge and understanding changes; resulting in improvements, wide acceptance and change.
History is riddled with examples of industries beginning as young ideas then growing and maturing over time to become well-established. In doing so, they’ve added essential improvements to the quality of life for mankind and often overcome significant opposition in the process.
It’s easy to take look at where we are today in industries such as aviation, space exploration, manufacturing, construction, education, legislation, science, and many others and forget the massive changes that have taken place since the beginning of each of these industries began.
- Human flight was only dreamed of until the first powered flight by the Wright brothers in 1903 (which lasted only 12 seconds!). Through improved technology we now fly not only across the world daily but into space as well!
- Copernicus suggested that the earth revolves around the sun in the early 1500’s. Books written supporting this theory were banned and supporters were persecuted and executed for heresy. In fact Galileo was ordered by law to not hold, teach or defend this concept. Today, we accept this theory as common knowledge.
- People laughed at Henry Ford’s “horseless buggy”. Today it is not only an essential mode of transportation, but we are finding better ways to prevent pollution and conserve energy resources consumed by these “horseless buggies”.
Industries begin just as the examples above, with the best knowledge available and often a bit of controversy. However they are regularly improving as a result of lessons learned, developments of new processes and protocols, scientific breakthroughs, and having a better understanding of what questions to ask; as well as knowing what issues to focus on and allocate resources to.
The story of ENSO is no exception to this process. ENSO was created with the mission to change the world in the way we handle plastics – we want to solve the world’s plastic pollution issue. Following more than a year of research to understand the plastic pollution issues; we developed ENSO additives. This additive is designed to enhance the biodegradation of standard plastics and allows the plastic material to recycle along with standard polymers.
ENSO utilizes the best of science’s understanding, processes and protocols to test and validate our technology. As our industry matures we recognize that it is no different than the many industries that have come before us. This industry is young and has much maturing to work through. The culture of ENSO to improve the life of mankind with solving the plastic pollution issue does not make us shy away from the growing pains that happen with young industry and we are in the forefront, pushing the envelope by improving the science, process and protocols associated within this industry. This does not come without hurdles, but as we see from the examples throughout history of matured industries, the key to success is continually improving the science, knowledge and education of our products. ENSO is dedicated to this continued maturation and the value that this provides to the industry and our environment.
ENSO Plastics Brings Legitimacy to a Young Market
We all know that the biodegradable plastics industry is just in its infancy. What many might not be aware of is all of the “back end” work that ENSO has been doing for the market. ENSO Plastics is doing many things to provide value to the plastics industry as it applies to the environment. Offering solutions for plastic to serve its useful life, and once disposed of be valuable both as recycled material and within landfill environments, is part of the big picture. ENSO also provides market value and legitimacy in ways unlike typical corporate organizations and much more as a not for profit, or NGO.
ENSO has an environmental mission that remains pure throughout our business activity. Part of the mission requires us to honestly look at the REAL impacts of our activity and integrate REAL solutions. We realize the need to foster legitimacy in our industry that will be of benefit to not only our customers; but to the market as a whole, and even our competitors. We believe that just “slinging” product for the sake of profit is not being a responsible steward of our environment, and is culturally at odds with the way we feel here at ENSO. We are in this to change the way the plastics industry and consumers alike view and treat plastic.
In creating this monumental change in such a vast industry, like plastic, there is a massive amount of education and legitimate data that needs to be presented. Unfortunately, there is the fact that traditional business is done with the idea that competition does not want anyone else to succeed. Because of this dynamic new industry and its complexities, ENSO is doing things non-traditionally and has seen the needs of the market and responded appropriately.
We have brought together the world’s top experts in different fields of science to bring the most compelling and comprehensive data collecting to help foster the growth of this particular industry, and to bring value to brands and manufacturing all the way to the end consumer. All in an effort to further the knowledge and acceptance of what we consider to be a “turn in the traditional plastics market”. Bringing together top polymer and engineering scientists like Georgia Tech’s Research Institute (GRTI) Materials Center; as well as the University of North Carolina State, and the Department of Civil, Construction, & Environmental Engineering is only part of the effort ENSO has undergone to develop the understanding and education of our marketplace and its regulating bodies. Much of this effort is ongoing as this technology is new, and more applications will bring new questions specific to its market.
The important precept ENSO Plastics takes very seriously is that in order to go to market with a product, credible and repeatable scientific data needs to be the foundation of all innovation. Second to that precept is the need for the innovation itself to be a major positive for the environment. Without these two keys, a product is only interested in one thing – taking advantage of environmental marketing opportunities with no positive impact on the environment; in other words, GREEN WASHING.
Having the support and “backing” of world class institutions and experts in their fields eliminates these basic concerns; as these entities will not stand for anything other than scientific truth. The market is full of political and personal manipulation, seeking only to bring certain products to market, while attempting to discredit or eliminate others from the market. ENSO is set apart from this kind of business model by only seeking credible, non-biased individuals and institutions to work with. This is a higher standard that state and federal regulators have to appreciate because the industry does not get more knowledgeable, independent and credible than the world’s leading experts. -Del Andrus