New Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Specifications Define “Green” for Biobased Food Service Ware
jOlmstead

On September 30, 2009, the Sustainable Biomaterials Collaborative (SBC) and the Business-NGO Working Group released the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Specifications for Compostable Biobased Food Service Ware -- or "BioSpecs." The BioSpecs, which have been under development for two years by a coalition of stakeholders, provide a framework for buyers to assess the sustainability of compostable biobased food service products during three life-cycle stages: (1) biomass production, (2) manufacturing, and (3) end of product life. By achieving selected criteria in each stage of the cycle, manufacturers can claim recognition for their products at the Bronze, Silver and Gold levels. The Gold level is reserved for the highest level of performance

The BioSpecs are currently available for public comment and review. All comments will be considered and addressed as needed. A revised version will be posted on the website in spring of 2010.

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Download the press release(pdf).

To beta test or become an early adopter of the BioSpecs, contact Heeral Bhalala, hbhalala@ilsr.org.

BioSpecs for Food Service Ware: View Power Point Presentations Introducing the BioSpecs
jOlmstead

To learn more about and offer feedback on the Biospecs for Food Service Ware, a webinar was hosted which included Power Point presentations covering the following topics: Introduction and Overview of the BioSpecs (Stan Eller, formerly of Sustainable Biomaterials Collaborative); Biomass, GM Issues and Sustainable Agriculture (Jim Kleinschmit, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy); Manufacturing, Hazardous Chemicals and Additives (Mark Rossi, Clean Production Action); and End of Product Life, Composting, and Biodegradability (Brenda Platt, Institute for Local Self-Reliance). The webinar was co-Sponsored by the Sustainable Biomaterials Collaborative and IntertechPira. Follow the link below to view the webinar (windows media player required), and download the slides (adobe PDF reader required).

http://www.intertechpira.com/sitepages.asp?step=4&contentID=3163

Guidelines for Sustainable Bioplastics Now Available
admin

The latest version of the Guidelines for Sustainable Bioplastics is now available. The full document and an executive summary are available for download on this site. The Guidelines outline goals and a present a roadmap for improving the sustainability of bioplastics. They address key issues in the bioplastics lifecycle, as well as the best practices for achieving sustainability with bioplastics. The Guidelines are currently being implemented by such diverse organizations as Whole Foods, the Rynel Corp., and the Maine Bioplastics Council. The Guidelines are also being used as the foundation for the development of "Biospecs": Purchasing Specifications for Sustainable Bioplastic Products for the Food Service Ware Industry.

Promoting a Sustainable Materials Agenda with the New Administration
jOlmstead

With a growing awareness of the impact of petroleum based products and fuels on the climate, the environment and public health, there has never been a more important time to push for a change to sustainable biobased materials and products. The SBC has been actively engaged in proposing to the Obama administration an agenda to promote green chemistry and sustainable materials and products. A document outlining priorities for administration and policy actions was presented to the Obama-Biden Transition Teams.

Shifting the Market to Biobased Materials and Sustainable Agricultural Practices: Aggregating/Pooling Demand
jOlmstead

The aggregated/pooled demand initiative is a strategy to encourage a market shift towards sustainable biomaterials and biobased products production made more possible by the strength of multiple companies voicing their aggregated/pooled demand. The sustainability framework is provided by the Sustainable Biomaterials Collaborative’s Sustainable Bioplastics Guidelines and its upcoming Purchasing Specifications. Green Harvest Technologies; Seventh Generation, Gaia Herbs, IceStone, Organic Valley, Nature’s Path and Food Trade Sustainability Leadership Initiative have signed on. Our intent is to link the growing market demand with collaborative business strategies that are based on a commonly held set of sustainability principles.

Working Landscapes Certificate Program
jOlmstead

With the support of the SBC, The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) and Green Harvest Technologies are working together to develop the infrastructure and market for sustainable feedstock production for biobased plastics and materials. The Working Landscapes Certificate (WLC) Program is an innovative, market-based initiative that allows manufacturers, retailers and consumers of biobased plastics to help farmers grow biobased feedstock crops in a more sustainable manner. Modeled on the energy sector's successful Renewable Energy Certificates, the WLC program recruits farmers to grow corn (the current feedstock for most US bioplastics) according to sustainable farming criteria. The “sustainable production” aspects are then quantified and linked to the amount of corn used in the production of a bioplastic product. This approach provides bioplastic customers with an affordable option for supporting sustainable agriculture and bioplastics and farmers with the financial support needed to utilize more sustainable farming practices, without the added expense and constraints that direct sourcing of feedstocks would require from both parties. For more information, please see: www.workinglandscapes.org.

SBC Provides Technical and Policy Support to Maine's "Potatoes to Plastics" Initiative
jOlmstead

The SBC Steering Committee and staff have been working closely with the Maine Sustainable Bioplastics Initiative and the Environmental Health Strategy Center to explore the potential for producing bioplastic products from Maine-grown potatoes. The SBC Guidelines for Sustainable Bioplastics were used as the sustainability framework for the Maine project and the SBC is providing expertise on technical and economic issues as well as end-of-life issues for bioplastics. The SBC is also providing substantial support in structuring Maine’s newly formed Sustainable Bioplastics Council and in seeking support from Maine’s Technology Institute.