Ecoware NZ’s Post

The environmental impact of ‘packaging waste’ is a pressing global issue. Each year, millions of tons of packaging materials end up in landfills and oceans, significantly contributing to pollution and harming wildlife. The production of these materials often involves the consumption of valuable natural resources and energy, which exacerbates the environmental footprint. This problem is compounded by the increasing demand for consumer goods and the corresponding need for effective yet sustainable packaging solutions. The scope of the packaging waste problem is vast, affecting almost every industry, from food service to retail. Non-biodegradable materials like plastics are particularly problematic, as they can take hundreds of years to decompose. This has led to widespread environmental degradation, including soil and water pollution, and poses a threat to marine life and ecosystems. The economic implications are also significant, as the costs associated with waste management and environmental cleanup continue to rise. Addressing this critical issue, GreenHandle offers an innovative approach to eco-friendly packaging. Positioned at the intersection of sustainability and industry needs, GreenHandle provides a wide range of biodegradable and sustainable packaging solutions designed to minimize environmental impact without compromising functionality. Founded by Ashish Singh, Pritesh Makani and Amit Kumar, GreenHandle has been at the forefront of the green packaging movement since its inception. The company's mission is clear: to revolutionize the packaging industry by offering sustainable alternatives that help reduce the ecological footprint of businesses and consumers alike. Greenhandle's product lineup includes a diverse range of eco-friendly options such as biodegradable kraft paper bags, reusable nonwoven bags, and customizable containers for food service. Each product is designed with both the environment and the end-user in mind, ensuring practicality, durability, and minimal environmental impact. The company also offers customization options, allowing businesses to align their packaging with their brand identity while staying eco-conscious. The potential impact of GreenHandle on the packaging industry is significant. By leading with innovation in biodegradable and sustainable packaging solutions, GreenHandle not only provides alternatives that could become industry standards but also raises awareness about the importance of sustainability in business operations. As more companies adopt these eco-friendly practices, it could lead to a broader shift towards sustainability across the industry, ultimately benefiting the environment and future generations. Read More: https://lnkd.in/ePc3MTh

According to WRAP, across the hospitality and food service sector it’s estimated that 800,000 tonnes of food waste was generated in 2021, at a value of £3.21 billion. So it’s obvious why businesses need to be doing more to recycle food waste, but what exactly happens to our food waste currently when it’s not recycled, and how could recycling your food waste benefit your business? Find out in our new blog... 👀 https://lnkd.in/e9tfnBgb #FoodRecycling #FoodWaste #WasteManagement #BusinessWaste #Recycling

Effectively handling food and organic waste plays a crucial role in the implementation of a city's zero waste strategy. Ideally, cities should minimize waste, separate organic waste from dry recyclables such as plastic and glass, and focus on recovery and processing efforts.🌿♻️ Discover how cities and communities across Europe are setting the bar high when it comes to sustainable waste management. 🌍💚 🔗 Follow this link to read the full article about The best European examples for collecting bio-waste: https://lnkd.in/eYc3RD9S #organicwastemanagement #COMproject #erasmusplus #euproject

Recently, I was planning a trip to Japan and in my search I came across a story about a village called Kamikatsu on Shikoku island. In 2003, it was the first municipality in Japan to make a zero-waste declaration. +The Zero Waste Center is the town’s recycling facility, where residents sort their garbage into 45 categories. +A thrift shop allows residents to drop off items they don’t want anymore, and others can take them free.  There are hotels, cafes and breweries in the village that live by the same philosophy, such as: +Rise and Win Brewing Co. brews two types of zero-waste craft beer, made of farm crops that would otherwise be thrown out because they are too misshapen to be sold publicly. +Cafe Polestar with only one dish available for lunch to reduce waste: curry made with local vegetables. The menu changes based on what's available. Once I learnt about this inspiring village, I did what any other good researcher do: I googled more examples and while the list is small, the projects are impressive: +Kiel in Germany: involves turning waste hair from hairdressers into material that filters oil from water. +Tilos in Greece: recycles coffee capsules, batteries and textiles, and turning residual waste that can’t be recycled into alternative fuel. +Taylor Farms in Gonzales, CA is a zero-waste certified agricultural facility that achieved a 94% waste diversion rate and were able to decrease landfill contribution by 56%, reducing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking 23,064  cars off the road annually. +Bornholm, the remote Danish island working towards eliminating trash by 2032. If government and private sectors focus on providing platforms and resources, training, early education and spend on supporting these projects, we may be collectively learn lessons faster to create a more hopeful future. Focusing beyond just use of plastics and on total ecosystem, like the projects above, will help accelerate lifestyle changes for organizations and private citizens. For example, Canada's Plastics Science Agenda (CaPSA), released in July 2019, is a framework to inform future science and research investments, as well as decision-making.  The Canadian Plastics Innovation Challenges (CPIC) program offers funding to small and medium-sized enterprises to incentivize the development of technology to address plastic waste. Through CPIC, Canada is investing nearly $19 million to support Canadian innovators to develop solutions for plastics challenges, by providing winners with up to $150,000 to develop a proof of concept, then up to $1 million to develop a prototype if selected. Environment and Climate Change Canada is the sole sponsor of five of these challenges, which leveraged over $4 million in additional funding. https://lnkd.in/gSTPfevm #zerowaste #climatechange #climatesolutions #future #kiel #tilos #kamikatsu #zerowastevillage

Have you thought about food waste recycling, why it's crucial, how it benefits the environment, and why it should be on every business's radar? 🚀   🌟 Environmental Impact: By diverting food waste from landfills and turning it into valuable resources like compost and renewable energy, businesses can significantly reduce their carbon footprint and mitigate the production of methane, a greenhouse gas that's over 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide in trapping heat in the atmosphere.   🌟 Business Benefits: Food waste recycling offers a myriad of benefits for businesses ready to move in a sustainable direction. Embracing sustainable practices not only enhances your corporate reputation but also strengthens customer loyalty and differentiates your business in the market. By prioritizing environmental responsibility, businesses can forge meaningful connections with socially conscious consumers and attract like-minded partners. From reducing waste and improving brand perception to driving positive social impact, food waste recycling empowers businesses to lead by example and create a brighter, more sustainable future for all.   🌟 Ready to Take Action? Have questions about food waste recycling or need expert consulting to kickstart, or even elevate your sustainability journey? 💡 Contact us today to learn how we can help your business make a positive impact on the environment. Let's work together to create a brighter, more sustainable future! 💚♻️ #FoodWaste #Recycling #Sustainability #BusinessImpact #GreenFuture #LinkedIn #TheOrganicRecycler #CircularEconomy https://lnkd.in/g6rgKbXt

Household Waste Management: A Sustainable Approach Household waste, often referred to as municipal solid waste (MSW), is a growing concern in many communities around the world. With populations increasing and consumption patterns changing, the amount of waste generated by households continues to rise. Effective management of household waste is crucial for environmental protection and public health. One sustainable approach to household waste management is the implementation of a comprehensive recycling program. Recycling allows materials such as paper, glass, plastic, and metal to be collected, processed, and reused in the manufacturing of new products. This reduces the need for virgin materials and helps conserve natural resources. Composting is another sustainable practice that can significantly reduce the amount of organic waste sent to landfills. By composting food scraps, yard waste, and other organic materials, households can create nutrient-rich compost that can be used to improve soil health and fertility. In addition to recycling and composting, reducing the amount of waste generated in the first place is also important. This can be achieved through practices such as buying products with less packaging, repairing items instead of throwing them away, and donating or selling items that are no longer needed. Proper disposal of hazardous waste, such as batteries, electronics, and household chemicals, is also crucial for protecting the environment and public health. These items should be taken to designated drop-off locations for safe disposal.y Overall, sustainable household waste management requires a combination of recycling, composting, waste reduction, and proper disposal of hazardous waste. By adopting these practices, individuals can reduce their environmental impact and contribute to a cleaner, healthier planet. #householdwaste #wastemanagement #recycling #composting #sustainability #environment #publichealth #recycle #reduce #reuse #greenliving #zerowaste #plasticfree #climatechange #sustainableliving #landfill

Reducing Your Carbon Footprint Through Sustainable Waste Management Practices In the previous article, we discussed how household waste contributes to an individual's carbon footprint and the importance of sustainable waste management practices. Now, let's delve deeper into how you can reduce your carbon footprint through simple actions in waste management. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: The mantra of reduce, reuse, recycle is crucial in reducing your carbon footprint. By reducing the amount of waste you generate, reusing items whenever possible, and recycling materials like paper, plastic, glass, and metal, you can significantly reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted during the production and disposal of these materials. Composting: Composting organic waste, such as food scraps and yard trimmings, is another effective way to reduce your carbon footprint. When organic waste decomposes in landfills, it produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Composting this waste instead can help mitigate methane emissions and produce nutrient-rich compost for your garden. Minimize Food Waste: Food waste is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. By meal planning, buying only what you need, and using up leftovers, you can reduce the amount of food that ends up in the landfill, thus reducing your carbon footprint. Choose Sustainable Products: When purchasing products, opt for items with minimal packaging, made from recycled materials, or that can be easily recycled. This reduces the demand for new materials and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with production. Proper Disposal of Hazardous Waste: Hazardous waste, such as batteries, electronics, and household chemicals, should be disposed of properly to prevent environmental contamination and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from improper disposal methods. Support Renewable Energy: Consider supporting renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, to reduce your reliance on fossil fuels and further reduce your carbon footprint. By implementing these simple practices into your daily life, you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future for all. #carbonfootprint #wastemanagement #sustainability #reducewaste #recycling #composting #renewableenergy #climatechange #greenliving #environment

Nestlé's ongoing commitment to sustainable packaging and waste management. Read more on https://buff.ly/4cuN6U8 #Nestle #Sustainability #Packaging #WasteManagement #EnvironmentalImpact #SustainableDevelopment #CircularEconomy #CorporateResponsibility #PlasticWaste #ReduceReuseRecycle

The garbage truck arrives at our doorstep. They whisk away the contents of our recycling bins and organic waste. We feel good about ourselves because we have done our duty. We have done our part to save the planet by putting the right waste in the right bins. But have we? Less than 9% of the plastics we place in our recycling bins is actually recycled. Depending on where we live in the world, between between 45-80% of so-called “recycle waste” we place in our green bins will end up in landfills or be incinerated due to contamination or lack of infrastructure for processing the different types of plastics. The MacArthur Foundation and World Economic Forum estimate that unless we change the ways way we think (our Sense-Making) and the ways our institutions (our Systems) work, continuing on our current path in a couple of decades there will be more plastic in our oceans than fish. Experts have described this madness as a ticking time bomb. The toxic waste we have dumped in our oceans is breaking down as we speak and over time it will raise levels of microplastics exponentially. Yes, getting rid of plastic shopping bags and straws helps. It is a beginning. But it is not nearly enough. We need a viable alternative to the ways our Sense-Making and System are poisoning our planet, ourselves, our children and the generations to come. In our upcoming book “Humanizing the Corporation: A Regenerative Leadership Playbook” my co-author Jan De Visch and I share a viable alternative to the Industrial-Age principles we have inherited. Current Industrial-Age thinking about Sustainability is focused on maintaining the status-quo by ‘doing no harm’. To reduce negative impacts such as reducing emissions and the carbon footprint. The viable alternative to this are Regenerative-Age principles and practices. These consist of actively restoring, renewing and regenerating ecological health, biodiversity and human well-being. We share how Regenerative-Age principles transform Strategy, Sustainability, Organizational Design, Scaling Agile and Lean, Change Management, Diversity & Inclusion, Budgeting, Performance and Talent Management through Regenerative Leadership. Please join us for a free two-hour online pre-launch session with Jan De Visch and I on 12 November, 2024 between 7pm – 9pm CET, 1pm – 3pm EST to delve into these important questions with us. Please click on the link below to register. https://lnkd.in/gRbPx6W3 Looking forward to seeing you there and then for an open, lively examination of how our institutions can make a transductive shift from the Industrial-Age to the Regenerative-Age and reverse the toxic levels of ecosystem degradation. Megan Fraser Siobhán (shiv-awn) McHale Alex Birke Amit Arora Zyad Hatquai David McLean Creative Commons source of image: https://lnkd.in/gqmB8iQR

The garbage truck arrives at our doorstep. They whisk away the contents of our recycling bins and organic waste. We feel good about ourselves because we have done our duty. We have done our part to save the planet by putting the right waste in the right bins. But have we? Less than 9% of the plastics we place in our recycling bins is actually recycled. Depending on where we live in the world, between between 45-80% of so-called “recycle waste” we place in our green bins will end up in landfills or be incinerated due to contamination or lack of infrastructure for processing the different types of plastics. The MacArthur Foundation and World Economic Forum estimate that unless we change the ways way we think (our Sense-Making) and the ways our institutions (our Systems) work, continuing on our current path in a couple of decades there will be more plastic in our oceans than fish. Experts have described this madness as a ticking time bomb. The toxic waste we have dumped in our oceans is breaking down as we speak and over time it will raise levels of microplastics exponentially. Yes, getting rid of plastic shopping bags and straws helps. It is a beginning. But it is not nearly enough. We need a viable alternative to the ways our Sense-Making and System are poisoning our planet, ourselves, our children and the generations to come. In our upcoming book “Humanizing the Corporation: A Regenerative Leadership Playbook” my co-author Jan De Visch and I share a viable alternative to the Industrial-Age principles we have inherited. Current Industrial-Age thinking about Sustainability is focused on maintaining the status-quo by ‘doing no harm’. To reduce negative impacts such as reducing emissions and the carbon footprint. The viable alternative to this are Regenerative-Age principles and practices. These consist of actively restoring, renewing and regenerating ecological health, biodiversity and human well-being. We share how Regenerative-Age principles transform Strategy, Sustainability, Organizational Design, Scaling Agile and Lean, Change Management, Diversity & Inclusion, Budgeting, Performance and Talent Management through Regenerative Leadership. Please join us for a free two-hour online pre-launch session with Jan De Visch and I on 12 November, 2024 between 7pm – 9pm CET, 2pm – 4pm EST to delve into these important questions with us. Please click on the link below to register. https://lnkd.in/gRbPx6W3 Looking forward to seeing you there and then for an open, lively examination of how our institutions can make a transductive shift from the Industrial-Age to the Regenerative-Age and reverse the toxic levels of ecosystem degradation.