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PBPC Newsletter April 1, 2021
Welcome to the Plant Based Products Council Newsletter! If you have friends or colleagues interested in our industry, please forward this to them immediately(!). Once you’ve done that, read on for the latest in PBPC news and activities, as well as some of the amazing innovations, trends, and developments happening right now in the sustainability and bioeconomy world! If you missed our last edition, check it out using the link below.
PBPC Newsletter March 19, 2021
INFRASTRUCTURE WEEK IS (REALLY) COMING
After four years of discussion during the prior administration, Washington is turning to a potential infrastructure bill which could include opportunities for sustainable industries including, we hope, incentivizing additional composting infrastructure. In addition, a new anti-plastics bill has been introduced in the Senate.
The Washington Post($): Massive Infrastructure Bill Being Prepared With Climate Measures
The New York Times($): Seeking ‘Generational Investment’ In Infrastructure
CNBC: How Infrastructure Package Tackles Climate Change
Plastics Today: Bill Would ‘Devastate’ Says Plastics Industry Association
FEEDSTOCK FABULOUS
Mushroom relatives, soy residue, and powdered wood are among the feedstocks that researchers and companies continue to investigate and utilize, with designer Stella McCartney unveiling clothes from fungi.
CBC: Fungi Is Green Substitute For Leather, Plastic
Plastics Technology: Pilot Plant To Produce Bioplastic From Soy Residue
New Atlas: Bioplastic Made From Wood Powder Entirely Degrades In Three Months
Packaging Europe: Bioplastic From Soy Residues
COCA-COLA, HASBRO, ALDI, CORONA
The world’s largest and most impressive brands are increasingly turning to plant-based products and making pledges to utilize more sustainable packaging. Among our favorites: PBPC member Danimer Scientific will soon create sustainable packaging for childhood favorite Skittles, made by Mars, Inc.
NJ Biz: Mars, Danimer Scientific Partner On Sustainable Skittles Packaging
Progressive Grocer: Coca-Cola’s New Paper Bottle
Supply Chain Dive: Aldi Converting To Sustainable Materials By 2025
AdWeek: Corona’s Packaging Made From Barley Straw
Packaging World: How Hasbro Is Phasing Out Plastic Packaging
Vending Market Watch: Smile Beverage Werks’s K-Cup Compatible Coffee Pod Earns USDA Certification As A Biobased Product
Waste 360: The Beverage Carton Industry’s 10 Year Sustainable Packaging Plan
MONEY STUFF
Mastercard is tying bonuses to sustainability goals; the World Bank finds $6 billion a year is wasted on plastics in Southeast Asia; and clean-tech investments are on the rebound.
Bloomberg Opinion: Clean-Tech Investment Isn’t Just A Bubble This Time
Bloomberg Green: Mastercard Ties Executive Bonuses To Environmental, Social Goals
Bloomberg Business: World Bank Sees $6 Billion Wasted On Plastics In Southeast Asia
O CANADA, WITH GLOWING HEARTS
Just like the national anthem says, our hearts are aglow at the following sustainability news. Improving sustainable agriculture and reducing plastic waste on farms, Canada is seeking progress on issues in our sweet spot.
Lethbridge Now: Farmers Focus Plant-Based Plastics
FoodBev Media: Canada Invests $148m In Sustainable Agriculture Practices
Yahoo! Finance: Managing On-Farm Plastic Waste And Growing The Bioeconomy
TRENDS YOU’LL LOVE…
From major initiatives to impressive research in our field, we bring you the good news across plant-based and circular economy topics.
Waste Management World: Germany Is Working On A Sustainable Packaging Industry
Packaging Europe: Sustainable Shifts: How To Overhaul Packaging For Environmental Gain
Recycling Today: DS Smith Study Highlights European Sustainable Packaging Demand
CNBC: Covid-19 Worsened The Single-Use Plastics Problem. Here’s Why It Could Also Fuel Solutions
News 18 Auto: Circular Economy Practices In Auto Industry Could Reduce Carbon Emissions By 75 Percent By 2030
Environment and Energy Leader: Dell, Google, Others Join New Electronics Partnership To Develop Circular Economy
Forests News: Africa’s Vast Forest Potential Untapped, Circular Bioeconomy Could Help
…AND SOME OTHER STORIES FOR YOUR RADAR
We love to share stories that are 100% positive, but it is essential to understand the total news environment. Here are two stories that highlight the potential of our industry, while recognizing there’s more work to be done. Even still, “Bioplastics can be a welcome alternative to the fossil fuel-based plastics that represent a growing environmental scourge,” says the National Academy of Sciences article which includes some fascinating time-lapse imagery.
National Academy of Sciences: Bioplastics Offer Carbon-Cutting Advantages
The Wall Street Journal($): Plastic Straws That Quickly Biodegrade in the Ocean? Not Quite, Scientists Say
ENVIRONMENTAL WATCH
We must continue to find ways to reduce the use of petroleum-based plastics, but the number of plastic production facilities continue to grow. National Geographic offers an important story about the environmental costs.
National Geographic: Europe’s Plastics Industry Is About To Boom
PBPC’S ALL-STARS
In just two weeks’ time, our members have once again delivered an impressive list of achievements, programs, and educational materials. This issue may offer the longest such list yet. Well done, team.
PBPC: Plant-Based Products Help Ensure A More Sustainable Future
PBPC: ICYMI – Member Virent Featured In Plant-Based Leaders
Acme Paper And Supply Company: Dining Trends And Sustainable Serve Ware
Acme Paper And Supply Company: Ecofriendly Support The Environment
ADM: Safe Drinking Water In India, Brazil, And The Philippines
Amy’s Kitchen: What It Means To Be A B Corp
BioPak: (Video) Defining And Getting To Net Zero
BioPak: Reducing Food Waste
BioPak: Sustainable Solutions And Luxury Packaging
Cargill: (Article Link) New Initiative To Preserve Canadian Prairie Land
Cargill: Work With Farmers On Sustainable Ag
Cargill: (Video) How Farmers Are Using Tech To Implement Sustainable Practices
Cargill: Team Recognized For Shaping Climate Action
Eco-Products: Partnership With Vail Resorts To Convert Them To Net Zero Emissions
Danimer Scientific: (Forbes Article Link) Keeping Sustainability Central To Business
Emerald Brand: (Upcoming Webinar) April 7th On Sustainability
Emerald Brand: Partnership With Coffee Development Corp To Help Them Switch To Plant-Based Packaging
Footprint: The Latest From Their Plant-Based Produce Packaging Line
Footprint: Featured In John Oliver’s Plastic Rant Video
Futamura: All Products Meet The Requirements For Industrially Compostable Packaging
Futamura: Speaking At The Sustainable Foods Summit
Green Dot Bioplastics: (Podcast) The Future Of Bioplastics
Giro Pack: A Complete Product Line Of Plant-Based Packaging
Green Dot Bioplastics: Committed To UN Sustainable Development Goals
Hexas Biomass: CEO Speaks At IBCE21 Event On Their Bioenergy Pellets
Innovation Gateway: Student Housing Partner Aims For Net Zero Emissions
Multi-Packaging Solutions/WestRock: CBS Interview On Consumer Attitudes Toward Paper Products And Paper Recycling
Multi-Packaging Solutions/WestRock: Implementing Sustainable Forestry Practices
Multi-Packaging Solutions/WestRock: Partnership With Heinz UK
NatureWorks: (Webinar) Rethinking The Paper Cup
NatureWorks: (Video) Biopolymer Breaks Down In The Environment
Novamont: (Video) How To Support Soil Health
Novamont: Turning Urban Biowaste To Create Bioproducts
Origin Materials: CNBC Interview On Turning Carbon From Plants Into Products
P2 Science: Featured In Article On 5 Green Chemistry Start-Ups
PepsiCo: Investing In Recycling
Roquette: Roquette Featured At Sustainability Summit
Sweetgreen: Commitment To Net Zero By 2027
Tate & Lyle: Efforts To Reduce Water Use At Their Facilities
Tetra Tech: Discussion Of Climate Resiliency