Sunday, May 17, 2009

BioCycle Celebrates 50 Years

BioCycle, April 2009, Vol. 50, No. 4, p. 42
by Nora Goldstein

"A New Name For A New Era.”

That was the title of Jerome Goldstein’s January-February 1981 editorial announcing our publication’s change in name to BioCycle. When the magazine was founded as Compost Science, its goal was “rather simple,” notes Jerry: “To report the technical, scientific and practical developments in the field of large-scale composting.”

In January 1978, ownership of BioCycle shifted from Rodale Press to The JG Press, Inc., and the publication’s name was expanded to Compost Science/ Land Utilization (CSLU). In his January-February 1978 editorial, “Turning The Corner With Compost Science,” Jerry notes that the magazine was not only in a transition of ownership, but in a transition of focus. “The journal has been credited with ‘moving the world of composting from small backyard plots to huge metropolitan waste treatment agencies.’ We feel it is no longer enough to be an authoritative reference publication; now it’s time to be an action publication as well — one that makes a great impact upon waste management decisions throughout the nation and the world.”

CSLU was a transitional name, he writes in January-February 1981. More importantly, “our coverage led us into systems and technologies that — while consistent with our editorial philosophy of serving as a clearinghouse for data on converting municipal and industrial organic wastes into useful products — were rather tenuously connected to our official name. Coming up with a new name after 20 years, however, is not a simple matter — at least, it wasn’t simple for us. For reasons you can appreciate, we were determined to find a one-word title.

“The name BioCycle fits well. Our unifying theme is biomass recycling … and biological waste management. It’s a new word, but we see no problem with that. We have entered a new era and the old ways and attitudes of dumping and incinerating are patently unfeasible and unacceptable.”

This 50th Anniversary Commemorative Edition highlights the early, formative years that built the foundation of knowledge and experience we are celebrating in 2009. The following pages include: the inaugural Spring 1960 Editorial; “Compost News” items, the predecessor to Regional Roundup and BioCycle World; a smattering of historic letters; the History of BioCycle, Part I; editorial and article reprints; and many nostalgic photos and figures that illustrate the industry’s evolution.

Subscribe to BioCycle

Visit BioCycle's website

Bookmark and Share

Read More...

Heritage BioTuf® Compostable Bags



Why did we develop BioTuf®?

Over the past 40 years, the Environmental Protection Agency reports that there are four times as much trash generated in the U.S., yet there are only one-fourth of the amount of landfills available. We believe that the process of turning organic trash into compost, or “composting” is becoming a significant future trend in how the U.S. manages its almost 230 million tons of Municipal Solid Waste.

One of the key elements in managing this process is to have biodegradable trash bags available that meet ASTM standards for compostability, so that the bags used for trash collection can turn into compost along with the rest of the organic trash in an actively managed compost facility. That’s why there are Heritage BioTuf® Compostable Bags!

BioTuf® Products are Engineered to Perform!

Superior strength designed for:

• Pre- & post-consumer food waste diversion programs
• Municipal curbside yard waste collection programs
• Excellent puncture and tear resistance
• Proven lifting strength and load capacity
• Odor control
• Dissipates moisture

Engineered for the Environment!

• Meets ASTM D6400 specifications for compostability
• Certified compostable by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI)
• Photodegrades

Heritage BioTuf® Compostable Bags
http://www.heritage-bag.com/biotuf.htm

Bookmark and Share

Read More...

Biodegradability & Compostability

Bioplastics can take different length of times to totally compost, based on the material and are meant to be composted in a commercial composting facility, where higher composting temperatures can be reached and is between 90-180 days. Most existing international standards require biodegradation of 60% within 180 days along with certain other criteria for the resin or product to be called compostable. It is important to make the distinction between degradable, biodegradable and compostable. These terms are often (incorrectly) used interchangeably.

Compostable Plastic is plastic which is "capable of undergoing biological decomposition in a compost site as part of an available program, such that the plastic is not visually distinguishable and breaks down to carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds, and biomass, at a rate consistent with known compostable materials (e.g. cellulose). and leaves no toxic residue." American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM). In order for a plastic to be called compostable, three criteria need to be met:

  1. Biodegrade - break down into carbon dioxide, water, biomass at the same rate as cellulose (paper).
  2. Disintegrate - the material is indistinguishable in the compost, that it is not visible and needs to be screened out
  3. Eco-toxicity - the biodegradation does not produce any toxic material and the compost can support plant growth.

Biodegradable Plastic is plastic which will degrade from the action of naturally occurring microorganism, such as bacteria, fungi etc. over a period of time. Note, that there is no requirement for leaving "no toxic residue", and as well as no requirement for the time it needs to take to biodegrade.

Degradable Plastic is plastic which will undergo a significant change in its chemical structure under specific environmental conditions resulting in a loss of some properties. Please note that there is no requirement that the plastic has to be degrade from the action of "naturally occurring microorganism" or any of the other criteria required for compostable plastics.

A plastic therefore may be degradable but not biodegradable or it may be biodegradable but not compostable (that is, it breaks down too slowly to be called compostable or leaves toxic residue).

Estimated Composting Times


The rate of biodegration for different biocompostables is dependent upon the composition and thickness of the material as well as composting conditions. Commercial composting facilities grind the materials, turn over the piles and reach high temperatures, thus reducing the amount of time it takes to compost and, is thus, the recommended method for composting these products. Home composting rates are slower and can vary, depending on how frequently the pile is turned over, the moisture and material content and the temperature.

Standards
There are currently few international organizations which have established standards and testing methods for compostability, namely:
The ASTM, CEN and DIN standards specify the criteria for biodegradation, disintegration and eco-toxicity for a plastic to be called compostable.
  • Biodegradability is determined by measuring the amount of CO2 produced over a certain time period by the biodegrading plastic. ASTM, ISO and DIN standards require 60% biodegradation within 180 days. The EN13432 standard requires 90% biodegradation within 90 days.
  • Disintegration is measured by sieving the material to determine the biodegraded size and less than 10% should remain on a 2mm screen for most standards.
  • Eco toxicity is measured by having concentrations of heavy metals below the limits set by the standards and by testing plant growth by mixing the compost with soil in different concentrations and comparing it with controlled compost.

In the USA, the BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute) certifies bioplastics under the ASTM-D6400-04 standard for "compostable plastics" and awards their logo to products which pass this certification.

The Natureworks resin is certified by BPIWorld.Org.

This article is from World Centric's website www.worldcentric.org.

Bookmark and Share

Read More...

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Foodservice packaging leaders Wilkinson Industries and Dispoz-o Products announce merger

Press Release, May 5, 2009

Ft. Calhoun, NE and Fountain Inn, SC (May 5, 2009) Wilkinson Industries, Inc., a leading manufacturer of foodservice containers and Dispoz-o Products, Inc., an innovative producer of premium disposable plastic cutlery, drinking straws, meal and dietary kits have merged, effective April 30, 2009.

The announcement was made by privately-held Mid Oaks Investments LLC, Buffalo Grove, IL. The company has invested in the food packaging industry for almost 20 years and has owned Wilkinson since 2004. Mid Oaks purchased Dispoz-o for an undisclosed amount.

“By bringing these two industry leaders together, the new company will be in a unique position to serve its customers through a wider product offering,” said Wayne Kocourek, chairman and chief executive officer (CEO), Mid Oaks. “We are excited to add Dispoz-o to our portfolio.”

Gregory Jehlik, who has been Wilkinson’s president and CEO since 2007, also has been given the same responsibilities for Dispoz-o.

“Both Wilkinson and Dispoz-o have differentiated themselves as niche manufacturers, who have withstood the test of time. Collectively, the companies have more than 100 years of industry experience. Both have been driven by innovation and, more recently, a commitment to manufacturing sustainable products,” Jehlik said.

Going forward, the new company will serve the foodservice/restaurant, grocery, food processor, educational, institutional and healthcare markets through one million square feet of manufacturing and distribution space located in Nebraska, South Carolina, Texas and California.

Production capabilities include injection molding, thermoforming, extrusion, aluminum stamping, printing and kit packaging. The merged companies collectively employ approximately 1,000 people and operate 110 production lines.

Peter Iacovelli, who founded Dispoz-o as an innovative supplier in 1963, is retiring and Joseph Lancia, Dispoz-o’s former CEO, who led the company to a doubling of its size during the last six years, remains in a consulting capacity.

“From bringing the first Swanson® TV dinner tray to the marketplace in 1953, to pushing the envelope on sustainable offerings in 2009, Wilkinson has always prided itself in taking a leadership position. By merging with Dispoz-o, we will now be able to extend our product line more broadly than ever before. This means we will be able to provide an even higher level of service and innovation for our collective customers,” Jehlik said.

“The Dispoz-o team couldn’t be more pleased to be joining forces with another innovative, service-oriented company. Dispoz-o’s customers will now have an opportunity to be better served by a wider array of products,” Lancia said.


About Mid Oaks Investments LLC


Founded in 1986, Mid Oaks, Buffalo Grove, IL, is a private firm whose principals have substantial experience in financial, operating and general management. The company invests its own capital and focuses on acquiring equity positions in established businesses with strong growth potential. For more information: www.midoaks.com.

About Dispoz-o Products, Inc.

Dispoz-o Products, Fountain Inn, SC is a customer-focused, quality-driven manufacturer of premium disposable plastic cutlery, drinking straws, meal and dietary kits serving the foodservice/restaurant, grocery, processor, education, healthcare and other industries. Marketed under its Enviroware™ brand, Dispoz-o was one of the first U.S. companies to introduce environmentally-friendly cutlery, foam products, straws and kits. Dispoz-o was founded in 1963. For more information: www.dispozo.com.

About Wilkinson Industries, Inc.

Wilkinson Industries, Fort Calhoun, NE has been a leader in foodservice/restaurant, grocery and food processor packaging for more than 50 years. The company manufactures in excess of 450 packaging containers made from a variety of materials including aluminum foil, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and oriented polystyrene (OPS). Wilkinson also has taken a leadership position in the manufacturing of sustainable packaging by creating products from 100% renewable resources such as corn starch-based polylactic acid (PLA) biopolymer. For more information: www.wilkinsonindustries.com.

Bookmark and Share

Read More...

Friday, May 15, 2009

Standards / Specifications / Certifications



Bookmark and Share

Read More...