More News about Bisphenol A (BPA)

BPA was in the news again this week for a marketing campaign they were about to launch to better sell in this highly scrutinized chemical used in plastic bottle and aluminum can manufacture. (as part of an internal epoxy coating) This article from written by Beth Daley in the Boston Globe, outlines the problem in detail. Also This article in the Effect Measure Forum has several excellent links to get you up to speed on the issue.

According to these verified, leaked minutes, the industry met in Washington, DC on May 28th to discuss tactics to better sell the chemical to the public by, of all things, using a pregnant woman as a spokesperson instead of a scientist because, "A pregnant woman would be "the holy grail" to serve as a spokeswoman, the memo says. Attendees said they doubted they could find a scientist to serve as a spokesman for BPA."

Attending Companies were: Coca-Cola, Alcoa, Crown, North American Metal Packaging Alliance, Inc., Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), American Chemistry Council, and Del Monte.

From the LA Times, All eyes are going to be on California as they are going to have a state EPA hearing next month on the subject that will affect Prop 65 in which the Governor will have to publish a list annually of the chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity.

My thoughts are this issue has been poorly handled by all involved there are clearly studies that support the removal of this chemical from packaging or food contact as much as possible. The industries involved, are working hard to come up with alternative chemicals, but they won't be easy or cheap. Should the chemical be banned? Yes, until the science supports it's use in the future.

I'm reminded by the applied ceramic label (ACL) - Lead decoration issue that came up several years ago in the glass industry or the more recent lead in toys policies. Can BPA be compared to the dangers of lead to children? No, the science doesn't support that but guess what, the public doesn't understand or care about that.

This is going to have a great impact on packaging in the short future if California, New York and Connecticut place bans on the chemical and this is what these companies fear the most. This egg-on-your-face memo has not helped the industry or the issue and is only going to accelerate the legislated removal.

More Sustainability Ideas from the East Pack NYC show

I just got back from the East Pack show in NY, the show is very big, but is more like six shows combined, Medical Design & Manufacturing, East Pack, Atlantic Design & Manufacturing, Automation Technology Expo, PlastTec East and the Green Manufacturing Expo.

More and more companies are offering sustainability solutions; to compete in the marketplace, companies everywhere are going to have to assess their role moving forward or be left behind. Companies that offer real solutions and not just window-dressing will survive.

Sustainability starts with design and D2M has a system they use to choose the right materials for product development and mechanical engineering. They are geared more towards the electronic and medical markets.

Akeena Solar has residential and commercial solar panel solutions. Solar technology has advanced since the days of President Carter. They will do an audit and again, checking off "yes" in the solar box if you are doing business with the big box stores will get you on the top of their vendor list.

Lime Energy located in South Gate, California offer tools that will meet your sustainability goals by monitoring your facilities HVAC and lighting systems. 

Morrison Container Handling Solutions can come in and audit your filling line and make changes that will reduce the energy used for production of your product.

Tech Container Corp located in MA makes custom engineered reusable plastic storage boxes and claims that by using these boxes as part of your business plan, helps to drive down "pollutants, solid waste and green house gases by 70%". They will audit your corrugate usage and come up with reusable box/tray solutions. The boxes can also come with RFID tags so you can track your inventory. The boxes themselves use no glue to assemble and are 100% recyclable.

UFP's Molded Fiber division is the leading manufacturer of interior packaging solutions made from 100% recycled paper. They can design and engineer a solution for your product. I happen to like this material as a substitute for styrofoam. 

Occasionally, I get boxes filled with this product and I love it. Milex makes a super all natural, biodegradable 100% grain protein based loose-fill Styrofoam substitute. There are no petrochemicals or corn used in the manufacturing process so they expect the price to remain constant. They can even lease you the equipment to manufacture their product in your facility saving trucking costs.

Another company to watch is Orbis Corporation that makes plastic pallets, totes and containers. According to their literature, you will save 7000 gallons of water if you eliminate 800 corrugate boxes. Almost enough to fill an Olympic-size swimming pool. They also have a handy website with a "Green Calculator" that allows you to do quick calculations on your paper and pallet usage to calculate savings. 

The Gem Gravure company makes printers and ink-jet and gravure inks that eliminate VOC's

Here is something really unique: Green Club Inc. makes a product called Addiflex. When added to polyolefin, the additive renders the plastic biodegradable. If this interests you, check out their site. 

I would like to add again that these are my own observations and I have no interest in the above companies or am being paid for my comments!!