California’s Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act, also known as the Senate Bill 54 (SB 54), has drawn criticism from businesses who oppose rising financial burdens, and environmental advocates who argue the packaging bill does not go far enough.
California EPR: “Toughest” US packaging bill under fire for delays and loopholes
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Earth Day is April 22, 2019, and to celebrate, we are sharing some environmental highlights from our businesses. Air, land, and water are areas where the JDI team works every day to reduce our environmental footprint.
In 1990, the first Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment Report concluded that human-caused climate change would soon become evident but could not yet confirm that it was happening. The latest findings unequivocally state that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, land and sea, and that the changes across the climate system are unprecedented. With this and many other warnings ringing in their ears, world leaders are heading to Glasgow, Scotland for COP26. This UN summit on climate change has been described as ‘seminal’ and ‘humanity’s last chance’ because without immediate action, it’s going to get much worse. "Every COP over the last decade has been described as the ‘one that's going to change the world’. Unfortunately, we’ve heard a lot of talk about targets, but not a huge amount of action. I’m hoping for the best but won’t be surprised if we don’t make that much progress,” admits Paula Owen, CEO and founder of the sustainability agency Green Gumption. Despite the general pessimism, progress and action are critical, with the latest IPCC report being described as a “code red” for humanity by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “It’s a good description of the situation, but it would have been better said a decade ago,” opines global climatological expert Jim NR Dale.
Climate-smart packaging innovation is advancing through circular design, the increased use of recycled and renewable materials, and improved recyclability across the value chain.
Design plays a pivotal role in minimizing packaging’s environmental impact and maximizing its compatibility within a circular economy, according to Michelle Fitzpatrick, vice president and chief sustainability officer at Graphic Packaging International. “Up to 80% or more of a product’s environmental impact is determined by decisions made during its design phase."