• Login
    • Join
  • Subscribe Free
    • Magazine
    • eNewsletter
    Checkout
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Exclusives
    • Labels & Packaging
    • Markets
    • Technology
    • Equipment
    • Supplies
    • Buyers' Guide
    • Events
    • Jobs
    • More
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Exclusives
  • Labels & Packaging
  • Markets
  • Technology
  • Equipment
  • Supplies
  • Buyers' Guide
  • Events
  • Jobs
  • Current / Back Issues
    Features
    Editorial
    Columns
    Digital Edition
    eNewsletter Archive
    Our Team
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    Top Features
    Paper Substrates

    Wine Labels

    Static Control

    Narrow Web Profile: OMNI Systems

    Digital and Hybrid Printers and Presses
    Breaking News
    Converter News
    European Label News
    Industry News
    Industry People
    M&A News
    New Products
    Expert's Opinion
    Live From Shows
    Top News
    Xeikon launches two new digital label printing presses

    UFlex adds capacity in packaging films

    CEC expands into labels and packaging with Heidelberg

    ABG delivers Digicon Series 3 to UK printer

    Graham Packaging rewarded with top environmental rating
    Blog
    Video Bites
    Beauty & Personal Care Labels
    Beer Labels
    Beverage Labels
    Flexible Packaging
    Folding Carton
    Food Labels
    Glue-Applied
    In-Mold
    Industrial Labels
    Medical Labels
    Pharmaceutical Labels
    Pressure Sensitive
    Prime Labels
    Promotional Labels
    Security Labels
    Shrink
    Smart Labels
    Specialty Labels
    Spirits Labels
    Wine Labels

    Avery Dennison optimizes adhesives for pharmaceutical labeling

    S-OneLP adds to growing team

    INX International and VerifyMe sign supply agreement

    Poland's Alu-Lids purchases first MPS flexo press

    Crypto codes combat fake malaria drugs in Africa
    Africa
    Asia
    Australia
    China
    Europe
    India
    Latin America
    Middle East
    North America

    Avery Dennison optimizes adhesives for pharmaceutical labeling

    UFlex adds capacity in packaging films

    CEC expands into labels and packaging with Heidelberg

    ABG delivers Digicon Series 3 to UK printer

    C&A debuts bitter tasting coating line for labels and packaging
    Flexography
    Digital Printing
    Prepress
    Finishing
    Sustainability

    Xeikon launches two new digital label printing presses

    CEC expands into labels and packaging with Heidelberg

    ABG delivers Digicon Series 3 to UK printer

    Tecnocut unveils new diecutting unit

    DTM Print announces Mac compatibility
    Digital Printers & Presses
    Flexo Presses
    Label Converting Equipment
    Label Finishing Equipment
    Prepress Equipment

    Xeikon launches two new digital label printing presses

    Dantex set to install first PicoJet digital press in US

    Poland's Alu-Lids purchases first MPS flexo press

    Phoseon announces NIR LED lamps

    Hamillroad Software appoints Carl Brock senior application specialist
    Dies And Tooling
    Flexo Supplies
    Ink & Coatings
    Prepress Supplies
    Pressrooom Supplies
    Substrates

    Avery Dennison optimizes adhesives for pharmaceutical labeling

    C&A debuts bitter tasting coating line for labels and packaging

    INX International providing relief to Texas

    Eaglewood Technologies debuts new anilox cleaning system

    Grand Rapids Label offers custom diecutting services
    All Companies
    Categories
    Company Profiles
    Label Converters
    Trade Associations
    Add New Company
    International Buyers Guide Companies
    OMET Americas, Inc.

    KTI

    Flexo Label Advantage Group LLC (FLAG)

    Martin Automatic Inc.

    Mechanical Specialties, Inc.
    Industry Events
    Webinars
    Live from Show Events
    • Magazine
      • Current & Past Issues
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Columns
      • Digital Edition
      • eNewsletter Archive
      • Subscribe Now
      • Advertise Now
    • Breaking News
    • Buyers' Guide
      • All Companies
      • Categories
      • Company Profiles
      • Label Converters
      • Trade Associations
      • Add Your Company
    • Labels & Packaging
      • Beauty & Personal Care Labels
      • Beer Labels
      • Beverage Labels
      • Flexible Packaging
      • Folding Carton
      • Food Labels
      • Glue-Applied
      • In-Mold
      • Industrial Labels
      • Medical Labels
      • Pharmaceuticals Labels
      • Pressure Sensitive
      • Prime Labels
      • Promotional Labels
      • Security Labels
      • Shrink
      • Smart Labels
      • Speciality Labels
      • Spirits Labels
      • Wine Tables
    • Markets
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Australia
      • China
      • Europe
      • India
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
      • North America
    • Equipment
      • Digital Printers & Presses
      • Flexo Presses
      • Label Converting Equipment
      • Label Fishing Equipment
    • Supplies
      • Dies And Tooling
      • Flexo Supplies
      • Ink & Coatings
      • Prepress Supplies
      • Pressrooom Supplies
      • Substrates
    • Online Exclusives
    • Slideshows
    • Experts Opinions
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Infographics
    • Blog
    • Whitepapers
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live from Show Events
      • Webinars
    • Jobs
    • Resources
      • Supplier Gallery
      • Literature Showcase
      • Homepage Showcase
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Letters From The Earth

    Golden opportunity

    ...

    Golden opportunity
    Calvin Frost06.04.20
    The one positive aspect of COVID-19 is a slowdown in climate change. Think about it: fewer cars mean less pollution, less manufacturing means less waste, and less human activity means less environmental disruption. 

    On the other hand, stay-at-home orders will probably cause a spike in population growth. (I mean, what else do you do at home in lockdown for 12 weeks?!) And, of course, population growth ultimately means more pollution and more waste. So, it’s a horse a piece.  COVID-19 is only a temporary “fix” for climate change when you consider the ultimate effect of the pandemic. 

    The pandemic is a global tragedy. The loss of life is horrific. The disruption to our lives is enormous. The economic
    consequences devastating.

    The one fact we know is that millions and millions of people will encounter financial instability. Recovering from this catastrophic event will take not months but years, and countless families and businesses will never be the same.

    But let’s not look a gift horse in the mouth. It seems to me we have a golden opportunity to rebuild our society in a more sustainable fashion. We can rebuild with a focus on less waste and less emissions that have driven climate change. Renewable energy is for all practical purposes competitive with carbonized electricity derived from fossils.

    So, why not use a more balanced energy source as one of the solutions to solving the COVID-19 pandemic? Won’t a more balanced lifestyle help us return to a healthier environment? Staying with the energy piece for a moment, won’t a transition to renewables, like wind, solar, batteries and the use of electric vehicles, help us slow down climate change?

    Take a look at the chart below, which compares energy consumption in selected countries in Europe on April 8 in 2020 versus the same day in 2019. Both days measured average peak hours of consumption. The percentages of consumption were adjusted for the differences in temperature between 2019 and 2020. (Source:  Bruegel, ENT50-E)

    While this is not conclusive, it is an indicator that emissions have been reduced due to the effects of COVID-19. It is also an indication of what potentially could improve health (pollution) and reduce emissions (climate change) theoretically. At least for now, the pandemic may offer not only health benefits but economic benefits, too: jobs!

    The pandemic gives us an opportunity to rebuild in a better, more balanced manner, and maybe we would reduce the possibility of future health crises.

    What about solid waste? Has COVID-19 reduced the volume of non-recyclables? If anything, packaging volumes have increased. Therefore, pressure sensitive by-product and flexible packaging by-product volumes are at least the same, if not greater. Municipal solid waste (MSW) is definitely reduced.  Just look at the number of waste-hauling trucks on the road! 

    For sure, the amount of MSW is staggering. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans generated 268 million tons of MSW in 2017. That’s the official “Washington” figure. I think we generate more and would estimate our volume to be more like 300 million tons. Regardless of the volume, about half of MSW goes to landfill. The other half goes into alternatives such as recycling and energy.

    The ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) reports that while our solid waste infrastructure is functional, it lacks waste recovery facilities and technologies for separation, hence landfill becomes the most expedient solution. Let’s face it, this is probably due to the low cost of landfill “tip” fees.

    In other words, how do you justify enormous investment in automated mechanical separation systems, and chemical reformation and energy recovery if it’s cheaper to send MSW to the landfill? 

    Fortunately, there are a few communities, or groups of communities, that are committed and have created sophisticated facilities that divert over 80% of MSW from the landfill. So, it can be done.


    “The pandemic gives us an opportunity to rebuild in a better, more balanced manner, and maybe we would reduce the possibility of future health crises.”


    Since we’re on the subject, I think “zero” landfill is unrealistic. Trickle down from business to community to individuals. Each segment would have to follow specific guidelines and rules. Who will police? What are the true benefits of “zero” landfill? The capital investment alone of diverting 150 million tons of solid waste would be mind-boggling. 

    “If we used mixed processing on the front end to maximize material recovery and thermal processing technologies as a secondary processing unit for non-recyclable material, we estimate the country would need to spend between $100-120 billion to cover the capital expenditures.” (Gershman, Bricker & Bratton).  Let’s get serious, this is just not going to happen.

    But maybe the silver lining in COVID-19 is a noticeable change for the better in the air, as it is visibly cleaner. Maybe for a few moments, with less car and truck traffic, there is not only less CO2 but less noise. If COVID-19 teaches us one thing, it is that social distancing has its good points. May we remember them as 2020 unfolds.  And may you, your family and business colleagues follow appropriate safety and health guidelines until we solve this pandemic.

    Another Letter from the Earth.


    Calvin Frost is chairman of Channeled Resources Group, headquartered in Chicago, the parent company of Maratech International and GMC Coating. His email address is
    cfrost@channeledresources.com.

    Related Letters From The Earth

    • The age of the conundrum

      ...
      Calvin Frost 01.27.21

    • Circularity

      Circularity

      ...
      Calvin Frost 11.12.20

    • War – Part III

      War – Part III

      ...
      Calvin Frost 10.09.20


    • War – Part II

      ...
      Calvin Frost 09.02.20

    • War – Part One

      War – Part One

      ...
      Calvin Frost 07.10.20

    • All roads lead to China

      ...
      Calvin Frost 04.03.20


    • Turning waste into gold

      A new process could potentially change the waste and recycling markets.
      Calvin Frost 03.05.20

    • The asteroid is us

      The asteroid is us

      ...
      Calvin Frost 01.31.20

    • Sacrifice and survival

      Sacrifice and survival

      ...
      Calvin Frost 11.15.19


    • Invasive plants and animals

      ...
      Calvin Frost 10.11.19

    • Palm oil

      ...
      Calvin Frost 09.04.19

    • Evian spelled backward

      ...
      Calvin Frost 07.10.19


    • Chemistry is the culprit

      ...
      Calvin Frost 05.31.19

    • Garbage patch gyres

      ...
      Calvin Frost 04.05.19

    • Taking responsibility

      ...
      Calvin Frost 03.14.19


    Trending
    • Dantex Set To Install First PicoJet Digital Press In US
    • Xeikon Launches Two New Digital Label Printing Presses
    • Hot Stamping Foils Market To Reach $7.8 Billion By 2027
    • UFlex Adds Capacity In Packaging Films
    • Sihl Artysio Announces Flexible Packaging Partnership
    Breaking News
    • FTA converts Forum & INFOFLEX to virtual events
    • Xeikon launches two new digital label printing presses
    • UFlex adds capacity in packaging films
    • CEC expands into labels and packaging with Heidelberg
    • ABG delivers Digicon Series 3 to UK printer
    View Breaking News >
    CURRENT ISSUE

    January/February 2021

    • Paper Substrates
    • Wine Labels
    • Static Control
    • Narrow Web Profile: OMNI Systems
    • View More >

    Cookies help us to provide you with an excellent service. By using our website, you declare yourself in agreement with our use of cookies.
    You can obtain detailed information about the use of cookies on our website by clicking on "More information”.

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms And Conditions
    • Contact Us

    follow us

    Subscribe
    Nutraceuticals World

    Latest Breaking News From Nutraceuticals World

    Preliminary Study Links Markers of Impaired Bone Health to Vegan Diet
    Refined Grains Linked to Heart Attack Risk, Early Death
    Kappa Bioscience Extends Research Partnership For COVID-19 Research
    Coatings World

    Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

    Nippon Paint Marine Wins Korea Export Award
    Universal Display Corporation, PPG Expand Global Production of UniversalPHOLED Materials
    PPG Introduces Premium Iso-free Primer Surfacer, Catalyst
    Medical Product Outsourcing

    Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

    January AI Raises $8.8 Million in New Funding
    FDA Clears Ava Fertility Tracking Wearable Device
    First Patient in Europe Treated With Diamondback 360 Coronary Orbital Atherectomy System
    Contract Pharma

    Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

    Spark Therapeutics Appoints CTO
    Cryoport Launches ESG Program
    U.S. Govt. Purchases 100k Doses of Lilly's COVID-19 Antibody Cocktail
    Beauty Packaging

    Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

    The Top Beauty Products of 2021, According to HelloGiggles
    Estée Lauder Taps Ana de Armas as Global Brand Ambassador
    Sephora Announces Significant Expansion
    Happi

    Latest Breaking News From Happi

    What You're Reading on Happi.com
    Cosmetic Chemical Sales To Post CAGR 5.8% To 2025
    ACI Urges Senate to Approve Regan as EPA Administrator
    Ink World

    Latest Breaking News From Ink World

    Etiflex Enters New Markets with Nilpeter FA-22 Installation
    Hydrocarbon Solvents Market to Surpass $8.1 Billion by 2030
    Marshall & Bruce Adds Koenig & Bauer Rapida 106 41-Inch Seven-Color Press
    Label & Narrow Web

    Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

    FTA converts Forum & INFOFLEX to virtual events
    Xeikon launches two new digital label printing presses
    UFlex adds capacity in packaging films
    Nonwovens Industry

    Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

    Texas Medical Technology Partners with My Protect Kit
    Mexico City Single-Use Plastics Ban Leads to Tampon Shortage
    Believe Diapers Launch in U.S.
    Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Fusion Robotics Receives FDA Clearance for Spinal Navigation and Robotics System
    Kaia Health Unveils Next-Gen Complete MSK Care Solutions
    First Implantation of CTL Amedica's Minimally Invasive Flex Tower
    Printed Electronics Now

    Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

    Comercial Kywi Improves Customer Service, Front-Store Operations with Zebra Mobile Solution
    Global Printed Circuit Board Market Projected to Reach $69.32 Billion by 2027
    Global Smart Glass Market to Register 6.8% CAGR Between 2021-28: Grand View Research

    Copyright © 2021 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.

    AD BLOCKER DETECTED

    Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
    Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.


    FREE SUBSCRIPTION Already a subscriber? Login