The mismanagement of personal protective equipment waste is contributing to environmental degradation
Photo: Justine Ammendolia
May 13, 2021
Heading out grocery shopping, put on a mask. Going for a walk in the park, put on a mask. The use of personal protective equipment has skyrocketed as people around the world work to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The health sector, businesses and the public are using more disposable plastic masks, gloves, face shields, gowns and disinfectant wipes than ever before.
A large portion of PPE waste is disposed of through the regular garbage system or simply tossed aside – left on the ground as litter in parks and on sidewalks. This has sparked a complex global plastic crisis.
Sustainable Packaging Innovation Workshop White Paper
RCD Packaging Innovation hosted the Redefining Flexible Films Innovation Workshop and offers the results of the workshop in a white paper.
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Dec 16th, 2020 A packaging supply and innovation firm that specializes in packaging solutions to eliminate waste and care for the planet, RCD Packaging Innovation’s white paper is the result of the multifaceted, online collaboration launched in the early days of COVID-19 under the auspices of the Redefining Flexible Films Innovation Workshop. The workshop was composed of specialists and practitioners from across the supply chain, including Dr. Bronner’s, Eco-Cycle, Mars, New Hope Network, PepsiCo, Ben & Jerry’s, Happy Family, Amy’s, Eco-Cycle, and the University of Georgia New Materials Institute. It was hosted by OSC. Subject matter experts included polymer scientists, resin producers, retailers, waste manag
Working With Miami to Improve the Circular Economy
Assessing gaps and areas for growth in the Magic City’s largest river
December 15, 2020
The following guest blog was authored by the Jambeck Research Group at the University of Georgia, including Dr. Jenna Jambeck (Lead, Center for Circular Materials Management in the New Materials Institute), Amy Brooks (New Materials Institute), Jennifer Mathis (New Materials Institute), Kathryn Youngblood (Citizen Science Director, University of Georgia) and Taylor Maddalene (CAP Coordinator).
Have you recently been out for a walk in your neighborhood and seen a piece of litter on the ground maybe a food wrapper, a to-go utensil, or a cigarette butt and wondered “where did this come from?” or “how many of these actually end up on the ground?” Have your questions then wandered a bit deeper, maybe toward why we’re using these items in the first place, why they’re made of this material, or even how or why it wasn’t captured by th