Sustainable Packaging

EPA loosens up on labels

More than 15ꯠ teachers across the country requested and received "Aluminum Beverage Cans: The ABCs of Environmental Education," an innovative teachers' resource kit developed by the Can Manufacturers Institute and the North American Assn.

An aseptic pouch for UHT-processed milks and liquids has been developed by Elopak Inc. (New Hudson, MI). The Elopouch(TM) is a coextruded structure made primarily from PE with up to six layers and is said to keep the product fresh for up to four months at ambient temperature.

The Audio and Video Products Div. of St. Paul, MN-based 3M Co. has scored an impressive victory in packaging source reduction. This leading producer of bulk videotape for the film duplication industry designed a returnable and reusable package for its products that: * eliminates 1.4 million cu' of waste annually, * reduces the number of packaging components from 11 to three, * reduces the variety of packaging materials from five to two, * reduces labor costs not only in 3M's Hutchinson, MN, plant but at its customers' plants, too, and, * saves $4 million annually in packaging costs.

At an October 1 White House "America Recycles Day" ceremony, the Grocery Manufacturers of America reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to reduce solid waste.

For the fifth straight year at 3M's (St. Paul, MN) Scotchban(TM) Innovation Awards, converters, paper mills and packaged goods manufacturers were honored for the way their paper and paperboard materials showed innovation or sensitivity to environmental concerns.