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Biodegradable Plastics: From Cradle to Cradle, July 16, 2009
Description
Biodegradable plastics: Silver bullet, silver lining, or none of the above? Over the past few decades we have seen a rapid rise in plastics generation, from less than 1 percent of total generation in 1960 to 12.1 percent in 2007. The U. S. generated almost 31 million tons of plastics in 2007. While many types of plastics are recycled, some plastics are difficult to recycle or markets do not exist. As a result, plastics make up approximately 17% of the total waste stream.
The largest category of plastics are found in containers and packaging. For these applications, biodegradable plastic technologies have emerged to replace fossil fuel-based plastics with plant-based plastics.
Join us to hear the latest thinking on biodegradable plastics from a cradle-to-cradle perspective. We will learn how the largest manufacturer of biobased plastic is researching the lifecycle impacts of their product and facilitating recovery of biobased plastics. From the users’ standpoint, we will hear how consumers are navigating green product claims and how labeling initiatives can help combat misinformation. To complete the full lifecycle, we will hear from composters on how to differentiate bioplastics and how bioplastics affect compost quality.
Speakers
Brian Glasbrenner, NatureWorks LLC is the Business Director of Americas for Ingeo™ biopolymer with NatureWorks LLC. Glasbrenner leads NatureWorks LLC’s business and market development efforts in the area of beverage, films, and non-food sheet, focusing on the commercialization of Ingeo™ innovations in retail and brand owner applications in the Americas all the way through the comprehensive understanding for the best end of life scenarios for the package. Glasbrenner joined NatureWorks LLC in 2000 as a senior application development specialist, bringing to the company more than 15 years of experience in packaging research and development, including field-testing, market analysis and product development. Prior to NatureWorks, Glasbrenner held senior applications and research positions at H.B. Fuller Company, and 3M Corporation, both in St. Paul, Minn. He holds four patents and has authored numerous papers on polymer films and flexible packaging. Glasbrenner holds two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Minnesota in biology and chemistry.
Karl Bruskotter, City of Santa Monica, has over twenty years experience in environmental and public health issues, the last eight with the City of Santa Monica where he serves as an Environmental Programs Analyst. Karl focuses on developing and implementing the City’s sustainable procurement, toxics use reduction, integrated pest management programs, and zero waste programs among others.
Dave Baldwin, Community Recycling, is the operations manager of Community Recycling and Resource Recovery's Lamont facility. Community Recycling has operated a fully permitted compost facility in Lamont, California since 1995. The facility is permitted to process 3,692 tons per day of green waste, wood waste, produce, food waste, and soiled biomass. The compost that is produced is sold to the agriculture market.