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Graphic Packaging to Use Recycled Wastewater
WaterGraphic Packaging will use recycled wastewater from a new $20 million project that will reduce water use at the Sparta Aquifer in southern Arkansas and northern Louisiana, according to a report in the Monroe News-Star.
According to the report, the city of West Monroe, LA, is building a 45,000-square-foot water treatment facility along the Ouachita River, near an existing treatment facility. The aquifer supplies almost 71 million gallons of water demand daily, though it is only being replenished with 51 million gallons. The project will recycle 10 million gallons for use in Graphic Packaging’s production process. Construction is likely to complete early next year.
Environmental Leader previously reported on another wastewater development in Louisiana involving Siemens and the Petroleum Environmental Research Forum. The partnership is collaborating to test a new biological reactor for industrial wastewater treatment.
GE meanwhile, is collaborating with Consol Energy on a new water recycling system using advanced filtration membranes and thermal water treatment technology that will allow Consol to recycle 99 percent of the water it uses at its coal mine in Oakwood, VA.
According to the report, the city of West Monroe, LA, is building a 45,000-square-foot water treatment facility along the Ouachita River, near an existing treatment facility. The aquifer supplies almost 71 million gallons of water demand daily, though it is only being replenished with 51 million gallons. The project will recycle 10 million gallons for use in Graphic Packaging’s production process. Construction is likely to complete early next year.
Environmental Leader previously reported on another wastewater development in Louisiana involving Siemens and the Petroleum Environmental Research Forum. The partnership is collaborating to test a new biological reactor for industrial wastewater treatment.
GE meanwhile, is collaborating with Consol Energy on a new water recycling system using advanced filtration membranes and thermal water treatment technology that will allow Consol to recycle 99 percent of the water it uses at its coal mine in Oakwood, VA.
Sustainability as the Enabler of Technology
Within companies, the sustainability agenda has moved from green marketing to sustainability communications and from simple compliance to a source of innovation.
Companies that have invested in ‘greening’ their internal processes, such as their supply chain, now have a good story to tell and are looking for new and interactive ways to take their consumers on their sustainability journey with them.
Digital sustainability is an innovative concept that allows companies to do just that. By integrating environmental, social and economic sustainability topics into every day conversations online, brands are beginning to make sustainability issues both accessible and normal. They are also demonstrating how sustainability can help people to do good and feel good through interaction with brands, organisations, and each other.
Brands have recognised that there is a tangible commercial opportunity to use digital channels to not only communicate sustainability but to enable positive and collective change. This shift has shed light on the emergence of four mega trends that have resulted from the convergence of sustainability and digital:
Awareness: CSR practitioners have recently woken up to the fact that they can use digital platforms to build awareness and a “fan base” or community around the topics that consumers are most passionate about, in order to push their message further than ever before. One of the most recent examples of this was Greenpeace’s viral video which attacked Nestle’s palm oil sourcing methods. Following an extensive backlash from the digital community that included almost 1.5 million views of their Kit Kat advert, over 200,000 e-mails sent and countless Facebook comments, the multinational company introduced a ‘zero deforestation’ policy.
Personalisation: This incredible power given to individual consumers through the brand in its digital form has also led to the growing individualisation of information, interaction and engagement. Companies are using this shift from mass information to value and relevancy as a way of communicating with their customers and reacting to their needs. Brands such as DoGood Headquarters have developed a browser plug-in for end consumers to download, which gives them the choice “to see green, charitable, and health and wellness advertising… and donates 50% of the earned profits from said advertising back to green initiative and charities.”
Traceability: Pioneering brands are using digital traceability to enhance transparency. Dole’s organic labelling scheme allows customers to track each piece of fruit through a unique code, from the farm it was grown on to the journey it took. This cradle to table view emphasises the importance of Dole’s accountability throughout the supply and transportation chain. This emphasis on accountability will become essential with the advances in digital allowing for more detail and connection with the journey of the brand.
The new role of the consumer: Integrated throughout these trends is the new role of consumers, who have been imbued with the power to move beyond boycotts and protests, to begin shaping and defining how brands behave. Companies such as Pepsi and Pampers have used the power of crowd-sourcing to unleash the creative potential of their audiences, enabling them to fulfil their ambitions either for a cause or for personal empowerment. These engagement platforms have facilitated genuine two-way dialogue, which we predict will sit at the heart of all future development within the leading brands of tomorrow.
In our increasingly fragmented world, sustainability is set to play a crucial role in allowing consumers to engage in meaningful and lasting relationships with those around them as they seek to live better, more connected lives. As marketers, our job is to give them the tools so that together we can build this brighter future.
Companies that have invested in ‘greening’ their internal processes, such as their supply chain, now have a good story to tell and are looking for new and interactive ways to take their consumers on their sustainability journey with them.
Digital sustainability is an innovative concept that allows companies to do just that. By integrating environmental, social and economic sustainability topics into every day conversations online, brands are beginning to make sustainability issues both accessible and normal. They are also demonstrating how sustainability can help people to do good and feel good through interaction with brands, organisations, and each other.
Brands have recognised that there is a tangible commercial opportunity to use digital channels to not only communicate sustainability but to enable positive and collective change. This shift has shed light on the emergence of four mega trends that have resulted from the convergence of sustainability and digital:
Awareness: CSR practitioners have recently woken up to the fact that they can use digital platforms to build awareness and a “fan base” or community around the topics that consumers are most passionate about, in order to push their message further than ever before. One of the most recent examples of this was Greenpeace’s viral video which attacked Nestle’s palm oil sourcing methods. Following an extensive backlash from the digital community that included almost 1.5 million views of their Kit Kat advert, over 200,000 e-mails sent and countless Facebook comments, the multinational company introduced a ‘zero deforestation’ policy.
Personalisation: This incredible power given to individual consumers through the brand in its digital form has also led to the growing individualisation of information, interaction and engagement. Companies are using this shift from mass information to value and relevancy as a way of communicating with their customers and reacting to their needs. Brands such as DoGood Headquarters have developed a browser plug-in for end consumers to download, which gives them the choice “to see green, charitable, and health and wellness advertising… and donates 50% of the earned profits from said advertising back to green initiative and charities.”
Traceability: Pioneering brands are using digital traceability to enhance transparency. Dole’s organic labelling scheme allows customers to track each piece of fruit through a unique code, from the farm it was grown on to the journey it took. This cradle to table view emphasises the importance of Dole’s accountability throughout the supply and transportation chain. This emphasis on accountability will become essential with the advances in digital allowing for more detail and connection with the journey of the brand.
The new role of the consumer: Integrated throughout these trends is the new role of consumers, who have been imbued with the power to move beyond boycotts and protests, to begin shaping and defining how brands behave. Companies such as Pepsi and Pampers have used the power of crowd-sourcing to unleash the creative potential of their audiences, enabling them to fulfil their ambitions either for a cause or for personal empowerment. These engagement platforms have facilitated genuine two-way dialogue, which we predict will sit at the heart of all future development within the leading brands of tomorrow.
In our increasingly fragmented world, sustainability is set to play a crucial role in allowing consumers to engage in meaningful and lasting relationships with those around them as they seek to live better, more connected lives. As marketers, our job is to give them the tools so that together we can build this brighter future.
EADS to Fly Algae-Powered Plane
EADS, the European aerospace company, plans to fly a plane powered by a biofuel made entirely from algae at the ILA Berlin Airshow this week, the world’s first such aircraft, according to an AFP report.
The article quoted a company technical director who said that 10 percent of the EADS fleet could be powered by biofuels as early as 2040.
In addition to conventional airplane fuel, EADS has also begun research into using algae for jet fuel. EADS is the parent company of Airbus. The company is also showcasing a hybrid helicopter that will run on both electric power and diesel fuel.
One advantage of the algae-based fuel over conventional aviation fuel, according to a report on Inhabitat, is energy density. The plane uses 1.5 liters less fuel per hour when consuming biofuel, or a 5 – 10 percent saving in energy, according to Aviation Week. Unlike traditional kerosene, the biofuel emits 40 percent less nitrogen oxide and 98 percent less sulfur dioxide, according to Flightglobal.
The plane, a twin engine Diamond DA42, has been flying for several weeks with one engine fueled by the biofuel and the other loaded with traditional kerosene fuel. EADS hopes to expand tests of the biofuel with the cooperation of Boeing.
Meanwhile, Environmental Leader has reported that Boeing, Virgin, Continental and General Electric have all been working on aviation biofuel initiatives. Virgin has flown several test flights using aviation biofuel. United Airlines has also recently conducted test flights using a natural gas based synthetic fuel.
The article quoted a company technical director who said that 10 percent of the EADS fleet could be powered by biofuels as early as 2040.
In addition to conventional airplane fuel, EADS has also begun research into using algae for jet fuel. EADS is the parent company of Airbus. The company is also showcasing a hybrid helicopter that will run on both electric power and diesel fuel.
One advantage of the algae-based fuel over conventional aviation fuel, according to a report on Inhabitat, is energy density. The plane uses 1.5 liters less fuel per hour when consuming biofuel, or a 5 – 10 percent saving in energy, according to Aviation Week. Unlike traditional kerosene, the biofuel emits 40 percent less nitrogen oxide and 98 percent less sulfur dioxide, according to Flightglobal.
The plane, a twin engine Diamond DA42, has been flying for several weeks with one engine fueled by the biofuel and the other loaded with traditional kerosene fuel. EADS hopes to expand tests of the biofuel with the cooperation of Boeing.
Meanwhile, Environmental Leader has reported that Boeing, Virgin, Continental and General Electric have all been working on aviation biofuel initiatives. Virgin has flown several test flights using aviation biofuel. United Airlines has also recently conducted test flights using a natural gas based synthetic fuel.
Dr Pepper to Recycle 80% of Waste
Dr Pepper Snapple Group said it will recycle 80 percent of its solid waste as part of its set of five-year goals for improved environmental and social performance across the company’s operations, according to its first CSR report.
Among the company’s goals for the next five years are plans to improve energy efficiency in manufacturing operations by 10 percent per gallon of finished product above 2009 levels, increase product shipments per gallon of fuel used by 20 percent, replace 60,000 vending machines and coolers with Energy Star-rated equipment that is approximately 30 percent more energy efficient, reduce water usage and wastewater discharge ratio in manufacturing operations by 10 percent per gallon of finished product, and conserve more than 60 million pounds of PET plastic through package reengineering and increased use of post-consumer recycled material.
The company also said it is making logistics improvements that have so far yielded efficiencies that have reduced shipping distances to customers by up to 90 miles per load, and is exploring opportunities in hybrid and alternative fleet vehicles. The company will also begin monitoring fuel efficiency in its vehicle fleet beginning this year, it said in the report.
The company also plans to replace more than 60,000 older vending machines with new equipment by 2013, which will reduce energy consumption by more than 30 percent and result in $7.6 million in electricity cost savings for customers. According to the company, this savings represents the equivalent emissions of 9,000 cars
Among the company’s goals for the next five years are plans to improve energy efficiency in manufacturing operations by 10 percent per gallon of finished product above 2009 levels, increase product shipments per gallon of fuel used by 20 percent, replace 60,000 vending machines and coolers with Energy Star-rated equipment that is approximately 30 percent more energy efficient, reduce water usage and wastewater discharge ratio in manufacturing operations by 10 percent per gallon of finished product, and conserve more than 60 million pounds of PET plastic through package reengineering and increased use of post-consumer recycled material.
The company also said it is making logistics improvements that have so far yielded efficiencies that have reduced shipping distances to customers by up to 90 miles per load, and is exploring opportunities in hybrid and alternative fleet vehicles. The company will also begin monitoring fuel efficiency in its vehicle fleet beginning this year, it said in the report.
The company also plans to replace more than 60,000 older vending machines with new equipment by 2013, which will reduce energy consumption by more than 30 percent and result in $7.6 million in electricity cost savings for customers. According to the company, this savings represents the equivalent emissions of 9,000 cars
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