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“Compostable products are being touted around the world as a sustainable packaging solution; but there are several factors to consider. These include the source of the raw materials, the energy consumed during manufacturing, and whether the products are actually captured for composting.”

Over the past decade, curbside yard debris and leaf collection programs have led to a dramatic increase in the amount of organic matter that is composted instead of sent to a landfill. In Southern California we still send most of it to the landfill, but that is starting to change.

According to Neil Seldman, President of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance in Washington, DC, “Technical distinctions among these (Waste to Energy technologies) are not important. All these technologies cost hundreds of millions of dollars (billions when amortized over 20 years).

“The average person’s paper use for a year (440 pounds) is produced by 500 kilowatt-hours of electricity, the amount used to power one computer continuously for five months.”

Please read Daniel Imhoff’s book and consider the implications of our choices. And please look for the opportunities for savings for business and for society in reducing and enhancing the environmental and economic consciousness of our choices in packaging.

We coordinated a tour today at Oceanside’s  El Corazon Compost Facility for cities in LA’s San Gabriel Valley.  They are concerned; the Puente Hills Landfill is closing in 3 years, and they need to plan for proper organics management. The economics are driving this one.  Costs could double to $80 per ton for disposal. In … Read More