Packaging Waste Reduction

Workshop Notes: Industry Session 2
Perishables and Nonperishables

Tollette and Schueneman are both packaging professionals. Each were given the following list of questions to facilitate a discussion with the group.

• What are key issues to increasing efficiency of packaging & distribution systems?
• What legislative/regulatory barriers exist?
• What are effective approaches for improving shipping & distribution efficiency?
• What innovative ideas do you want to share?
• Where do opportunities exist for working together to improve efficiency?
• What would it take in your organization to implement a change?
• Where do we go from here?

The original intent of this industry session was to divide the attendees into two groups: one would discuss issues related to perishable products, while the other group discussed non-perishable products. It was later decided not to break into separate groups, because a number of attendees could not stay for the entire workshop, and the two separate groups would be too small.

Opportunities to work together exist. Examples of other efforts where different stakeholders collaborated for a common goal include: Reduce, Reuse, Recycling Protective Packaging (R3P2); and Measurement and Analysis of Distribution Environment (MADE).

Industry initiates change.

Key trade groups include the agriculture industry (Produce Marketing Association and Grocery Marketing Association). Around 150 million cases of produce/year are sent to major grocery retailers. 75 percent of supermarket waste is from produce department. Some grocery stores are composting produce trimmings or finding alternative uses (Von's, Raley's, Ralph's)

Examples of improving efficiencies:

• Replacement of existing packaging system for another can reduce packaging.
• Thermoform => paperform = 30 percent reduction in packaging
• Waxed coated produce boxes can be turned into fire logs. Water soluble coating being developed.
• International Food Container Organization (IFCO): plastic, reusables cases are also recyclable after 30-50 turns.
• IFCO => grower => retailer => back to IFCO

Need to identify other associations to work with.

Articles in trade journals about recycling have decreased in recent years. Need to get articles to the editors. Write and submit articles.

Hold regional workshops to target small and medium companies and network.

Another option is to look at cushioning materials:

• WestPak tried to be a model for collecting and separating cushioning materials in lab. Found barriers to recycling.
• Mail Boxes Etc. will take and reuses foam peanuts. FP International recycles foam peanuts.
• Mircofoam--post-consumer foam working with HP.
• EPS technology can handle < 10 percent re-grind. 3 percent on grape boxes.
• City of Hayward has done businesses assessments. One company is using crushed paper as a cushioning agent.

Consumer Education is needed, because there is a cultural behavior to dispose.

Examples of different ways to change behavior:

• Something like the Energy Star on computers. Compliance to energy savings has initiated design changes--gives marketing advantage.
• Weight-based disposal fees.

5 impacts on environment: solid waste is one, also energy, water, air, and visual pollution.

Draft report will be developed and distributed for comment.

1. Market driven, economic approach
2. Dynamic process

Improve coordination among businesses to 1) share infrastructure and 2) share information. This is especially important for small and medium sized businesses. Resources include: CalMAX, Harris Directory--Recycled content products, county and local recycling hot lines.

Goal to deliver same goods with less material.

• 80 percent of packaging dollar is spent on consumer packaging.
• Corrugated is a significant material.

Supplier <=> manufacturer <=> retailer <=> customer
customer is the missing link
packaging specs are important

These notes are from the workshop titled "Saving Money and Improving Efficiency of Packaging in Distribution Systems" held on October 9, 1997 at San Jose State University. This document is a compilation of notes taken by several different people, such as student volunteers and CIWMB staff, who attended the workshop.

These notes are not intended to be direct quotes. Participating panelists were given the opportunity to review these notes for clarification. The identification of individuals, companies, and products in this document does not constitute endorsement by the Integrated Waste Management Board and is provided for informational purposes only.

Workshop Notes