PaperlessKitchen Blog

Spanish Researchers Create Exciting New Use for Paper Sludge

 Waste from paper products doesn't start when you're finished with your paper towel or paper plate and throw it away. The production of those paper products creates a tremendous amount of waste in the form of sludge. It's estimated that the paper industry in the U.S. produces over 13.5 million tons of solid waste annually, and unfortunately, much of this sludge ends up in landfills.

 Many eco-conscious entrepreneurs and scientists have been working to develop ways that paper sludge can be re-used instead of left in landfills. One of the most promising of these new methods comes from the University of Jaén in Spain, where paper sludge is being used to make bricks for construction projects. The bricks are made from a combination of paper sludge and cellulose by-products from the paper industry. These materials are mixed with clay and then baked at very high temperatures in a kiln.

 While the researchers at the University of Jaén have been successful at producing bricks with their method, they report that more research and development is needed before the bricks can be used for actual construction projects. So far, the researchers have only been able to produce small bricks that are 1.18 by .39 by 2.36 inches in size, and although the strength of the bricks exceeds the minimums established by Spanish laws, their design must be stronger for use in large buildings.

 The researchers are now working on improvements that may include waste from the manufacturing of beer, olive oil and biodiesel fuels. We'll be keeping an eye on this story and will provide updates as they become available.

What Climate Changes Mean for the Future

 On Tuesday, the federal government announced that 2012 was the hottest year on record in over a century, beating the mark set in 1998 by a large amount. Researchers recorded the average temperature of 2012 to be 55.3 degrees which was one degree above the previous record and a whole 3.2 degrees higher than the 20^th century average. The causes of this temperature increase are debated by scientists and researchers, but it can be agreed upon that a large contributing factor is the burning of fossil fuels which produces greenhouse gases.

 Many of us believe that climate change and global warming are part of the distant future but we are already experiencing warmer temperatures in our every day life, which we are not used to. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) explained that these types of weather patterns won’t occur every year and we won’t continue to see breaking records with each passing year but we will see climate changes with increasing frequency. Other researchers have noted that these greenhouse gas emissions that lead to the climate changes will not end in the near future. Carbon is a very accessible and affordable way to supply energy so CO2 emissions will continue to rise because of the benefit carbon energy brings. We are continuing to see a warming world and without a stabilization of greenhouse gas emissions, temperatures could reach dangerous levels by the end of the century.

 What can you do to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions? You can all reduce these emissions through simple actions like changing a light bulb, powering down electronics, using less water, and recycling. It may not seem like much now, but if everyone tried to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions through these simple actions, we might be able to protect the climate for the future. 

New Design for Sustainable Paper Wins Prestigious Prize

 Last month, a team of engineering students at John Hopkins University won the 2012 Odebrecht Award for Sustainable Development for a unique green design that could help prevent the deforestation associated with paper waste.

The students won the $15,000 prize for taking a traditional form of paper-making often used in remote villages in Korea and developing an inexpensive process that can be used to produce large quantities of paper. Their technique uses by-products from agriculture, such as the husks that are removed when grains are processed into flour.

The team created the deign for a machine that grinds these by-products into a powder, which becomes mixed with water. The resulting mixture is then boiled to create a pulp. Once complete, the pulp is formed into sheets and dried on racks. This low-tech way of making paper would allow impoverished communities throughout the third world to produce paper that can be used in businesses and schools in large batches for a very low cost.

Since the process relies on sustainable agricultural by-products rather than paper and requires no electricity, the process and resulting paper are much greener than traditional paper. The students, Sangkyun Cho, Jay Hyug Choi and Victor Hyun Oh, are planning to use the $15,000 prize to build the first prototype of their design.

Bag Bans Sweeping the Nation

 Bringing a reusable bag with you to carry home your shopping is the better choice for the health of the planet. It's also becoming the law of the land in some parts of the country. This year, new ordinances have passed in many communities that make single-use bags forbidden or more expensive to use.

 In March 2013, all businesses in Austin, Texas, will stop offering paper and plastic bags to customers. One of the largest and strictest of the bans, the Austin law requires reusable bags made out of cloth, at least 40 percent recycled paper or extra thick plastic. The bags must have handles as well. Even restaurants are subject to the new law; fast food and takeout restaurants will have to switch to recycled paper single-use bags to comply with the regulations.

 New laws in other areas allow for more flexibility. In Alameda County, California, The Reusable Bag Ordinance that goes into effect in January makes it possible for stores to still distribute paper bags to customers but with a fee of at least 10 cents. Plastic bags are completely banned under the ordinance.

 Opinions on what impact laws like these have on businesses varies depending on the source. Advocates of these types of ordinances argue that it will save businesses the cost of having to purchase plastic and paper bags and that they can generate revenue from fees and from selling reusable bags. Opponents worry that moves like these could drive people away from stores and fear that more people will shop online or travel to stores in communities without such ordinances to do their shopping.

 Paperless Kitchen wants to know, "What do you think of bag ban laws and ordinances?" Tell us in the comments.

Making Sense of Organic Certifications

If you're making an effort to go organic in your paperless kitchen, you may be dismayed to know that the word "organic" on a package or a sign may not always mean the same thing. Currently in the U.S., there are no laws regarding the use of the word "organic," which means that any manufacturer can claim to sell organic spaghetti sauce, organic rice or any other type of product.

To ensure that what you are buying really does contain ingredients that were grown without the use of chemical pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, you should always look for products labeled as "certified organic." This indicates that a third-party organization or government agency has examined the product's ingredients and the techniques used in its manufacturing and that the certifying body has confirmed the product is indeed organic.

Unfortunately, not all "certified organic" products are the same either. Each body that offers certifications uses its own set of standards to decide what is and what is not organic. This makes it important that you select products that were certified by reputable groups.

One way to play it safe is to look for items approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the European Union; the official government of another nation like Japan, Canada or Australia or a state or provincial government body. There are also some reputable third-party groups that offer organic certification, including:

ECOCERT

California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF)

Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA)

Quality Assurance International (QAI)

Soil Association (common for UK products)

National Association for Sustainable Agriculture (NASAA) (common for Australian products)

If you discover a new product certified by an agency not on this list, do some research before you buy it. A reputable organization should have a website that provides its standards for organic certification. By reading these, you can determine whether or not the organization's values are in line with your own and make an informed buying decision.

Environmental Activism - Students Take Charge Against Paper Waste

Recently, we stumbled across an inspiring story here at Paperless Kitchen that we just had to share. The hero of the eco-conscious tale is Sam Dabrusin, a student at The University of British Columbia, who has launched an interesting initiative to help reduce paper waste at the university.

After volunteering for Greenpeace, Dabrusin became inspired to start an environmental project of his own that could help locally make a difference in the health of the planet. Then, he recalled his experiences as an exchange student in Japan and devised the perfect plan.

During the year that he studied abroad, Dabrusin had learned to carry a cloth handkerchief with him, as public restrooms in Japan typically didn't offer paper towels or hand dryers. Dabrusin realized that by encouraging his classmates to use handkerchiefs instead of paper towels on campus, he could decrease the university’s waste and eco footprint.

With a total of more than 45,000 undergraduate and graduate students, The University of British Columbia is the third largest university in Canada, and that large student body adds up to a large waste problem. Through his research, Dabrusin learned that the busy Student Union Building on campus threw away around 40 bags of trash per day. Assuming that much of this was likely paper waste from the restrooms, Dabrusin decided to make the building the headquarters for his paperless project.

In the lobby of the building, Dabrusin and a team of volunteers distribute cloth handkerchiefs to the students who pass by. "The Ubyssey" campus paper at The University of British Columbia reports that many students are taking to using the handkerchiefs regularly.

Photo Kai Jacobson/The Ubyssey

Reading about Dabrusin's project is a powerful reminder that all of us can make a difference by thinking creatively about how we can reduce paper waste and encourage others to do the same. Carrying a cloth handkerchief or a small organic cotton towel like the ones in the PeopleTowels collection is a great way to make a simple change that can make a big difference over time.

Experts Predict More Parents Switching to Cloth Diapers

On September 29, an explosion at the Nippon Shokubai Co. outside of Kobe, Japan, caused severe damage to a chemical plant and left one person dead and 35 injured. As work to repair the damage began, speculation about the impact that the explosion could have on a major necessity began to take place.

Nippon Shokubai Co. is one of the world's largest producers of acrylic acid, a major ingredient in disposable diapers. Many industry experts predicted that disruption in the company's operations could result in a major diaper shortage throughout the world. Now more than a month after the accident, disposable diapers still remain well stocked on the shelves, but experts now believe that consumers may be asked to pay more for their favorite brand in the weeks to come.

In a time when budgets are already tight, many families simply can't afford to spend any more on cloth diapers, leading to predictions that cloth diaper usage may dramatically increase in the months to come.

All this means great news for the planet. The Real Diaper Association reports that 27.4 billion disposable diapers are used and thrown away every year, comprising the third largest type of waste found in landfills. One diaper can take up to five centuries to decompose, which adds up to waste that our children, grandchildren and multiple generations to come will have to confront.

Making the switch to cloth diapers is also smart from a savings perspective and was even before the accident in Japan. Parents who use cloth instead of disposable typically pay only 10 percent of what those who opt for throw-aways will from birth through potty training, according to the Real Diaper Association.

Do you use cloth diapers? If so, how do you make it work for you? Share your story in the comments section to help other moms and dads who are considering making the switch to avoid paying more for their disposables.

Wasteless Jeans

In previous posts, we've focused on the enormous problem of plastic waste and on new ways that waste plastic is being put to good use. The majority of the plastic recycling and repurposing that we've talked about is the work of small companies, but recently, a major American manufacturer announced a large project that will put old plastic bottles to new use.

Levi's has announced that a new line of jeans is in the works that will incorporate recycled plastic. Each pair of the new jeans will get roughly 20 percent of its fiber content from plastic and the remaining 80 percent from cotton. To make one pair of jeans, Levi's will make use roughly eight plastic bottles, and the entire collection will keep more than 3.5 million bottles out of landfills.

The brand promises that its new line of recycled plastic fiber jeans will be every bit as soft and comfortable as your current favorite pair of Levi's. The plastic fibers have a unique green-brown hue, which will introduce a variety of new colors into the Levi's jean collection. The new collection, called Waste‹Less, was introduced on October 16, and should be making its way into stores across the United States later this year.

Levi's has long been committed to greening its operations. The jeans company conducted extensive sustainability studies on its manufacturing processes and took steps to reduce water and energy waste at is manufacturing facilities. Most notably, the company developed a distressing process for denim that uses no water at all, saving roughly 45 Liters of water for each pair of jeans made with the Levi's name.

Paperless Kitchen wants to know, will you be buying a pair of Waste‹Less jeans? Let us know in the comment section.

Greening Plastics: Part One, Understanding Recycling Symbols

Following the latest news about the environmental impact of plastic, I wanted to do a short series of posts related to recycling plastic and ways that sustainable kitchen products manufacturers are helping with the plastic problem.

One of the biggest barriers to plastic recycling at home is knowing just what's acceptable to add to your curbside recycling bin and what's not. Unfortunately, waste management companies often end up throwing away plastics that have been incorrectly disposed of in curbside bins, undermining your recycling efforts without you even knowing.

Plastics manufacturers use specific symbols to help signify the type of plastic from which their products are made. If you understand these symbols, you can make smart recycling decisions and do your part to help with the plastic problem.

- Type 1 Plastics Marked PET or PETE, polyethylene terephthalate plastics are incredibly common and are used for the clear or slightly tinted plastic bottles that hold foods and personal care items like mouthwashes. PET or PETE plastics are the standard plastics accepted by curbside recycling programs and are used to make new bottles as well as upholstery and carpeting.

- Type 2 Plastics HDPE or high-density polyethylene plastic is typically translucent or opaque and used for products that can degrade or spoil if exposed to light like detergents and milk. Curbside recycling programs generally accept HDPE plastic, which is made into everything from plastic lumber to toys.

- Type 3 Plastics Labeled as PVC, plastic containers that fall under type 3 are fortified with chlorine, which makes recycling them difficult. PVC is often used with products that are exposed to abrasive, corrosive materials. PVC is not widely recycled; however, more and more companies are finding ways to reuse old PVC to make construction materials like decking. To recycle PVC, you'll have to find a company or specialty center that accepts it. I recommend using iRecycle (link to blog post) to find locations in your area.

- Type 4 Plastics Most plastic bags, squeeze bottles and other flexible plastic packaging are made from low-density polyethylene or LDPE. Although curbside services generally don't take LDPE, many grocery stores now have plastic bag recycling containers outside their doors. Many communities have additional LDPE recycling centers, which you can find using iRecycle.

Typically, the recycling symbols are placed on the bottoms of plastic bottles, though in some cases, they may be on the back or neck. Having trouble identifying a type of plastic or finding a PVC or LDPE recycling center near you? Post in the comments, and we'll do our best to help!

Plastics Waste in the EU and the US

This week, European Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik released some shocking facts about the use of plastics throughout the European Union. After announcing that he is launching a new initiative to help the European plastic industry reinvent itself by incorporating more recycled materials in their products, Potočnik emphasized the importance of a new approach to plastic by sharing that:

-       Only 24 percent of all plastic in the European Union is recycled

-       50 percent of all plastic used in the European Union Ends up in landfills

-       The amount of plastic that ends up in dumps in Europe is the equivalent to 2 million tonnes of crude oil

How does the U.S. compare to Europe? According to the Clean Air Council, 7 billion pounds of PVC plastic alone are thrown away every year in the U.S. Of that, only 25 percent is recycled.

Plastics manufacturers are not the only ones to blame for the huge plastic problem worldwide. Each of us has personal responsibility for the issue. It's our demand for convenient, durable products that drives the production of consumer plastic products, and the waste produced from many of these plastic goods is almost unfathomable.

For example, the Clean Air Council reports that the paper and plastic cups, forks, and spoons that Americans alone throw away each year could circle the Equator 300 times.

Both the news from Europe and these facts from here at home are a powerful reminder of the importance of greening your kitchen and living a paperless, plastic-less lifestyle.

Paperless Kitchen wants to know, "How are you working toward building a greener home by cutting back on paper and plastic use?"