{"id":2655,"date":"2021-06-08T13:23:05","date_gmt":"2021-06-08T12:23:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.becgroup.com\/?p=2655"},"modified":"2023-02-09T12:11:44","modified_gmt":"2023-02-09T12:11:44","slug":"how-green-is-my-product","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.becgroup.com\/news\/how-green-is-my-product\/","title":{"rendered":"How Green is my Product?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Under the heading of \u201cHow Green is my Product?\u201d, BEC Group<\/a> is publishing a series of blogs and articles that look at the challenges of manufacturing products that are genuinely \u2018green\u2019 \u2013 reusable, recoverable, remanufacturable and (if all else fails!) recyclable. As well as materials, we will look at practicalities, applications and testing, and commercial realities.<\/em><\/p>\n

CUTTING THROUGH<\/h2>\n

Is reuse the same as recycling? Does recycling truly recycle or is it downcycling? What is \u2018greenwashing\u2019? The language of \u2018green manufacturing\u2019 and environmental awareness is riddled with phrases and terminology that can be misunderstood, are confusing and, sometimes, downright misleading. We cut through the fog to provide a clear and easy-to-use reference tool that can help the effective participation in the \u2018circular economy\u2019 (see below), which is claimed to be potentially worth around US$4.5 trillion.<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Biodegradable<\/h2>\n

The dictionary definition is a material is \u201ccapable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms and thereby avoiding pollution.\u201d In practice, it is not as easy as tossing a bag into a compost heap and letting nature take its course. Pretty much everything will break down eventually but plastic, for example, can take a very long time. A study<\/a> by Plymouth University\u2019s International Marine Litter Research Unit found that plastic bags claimed to be biodegradable were largely undamaged and still able to carry shopping three years after being buried in soil or left in sea water.<\/p>\n

2. Compostable<\/h2>\n

Able to be broken down by natural organic processes although catalysts are often required. A compostable bag in the Plymouth University experiment mentioned above seemed to have broken down completely but traces were detectable in the soil 27 months later.<\/p>\n

3. Circular economy<\/h2>\n

A system that builds long-term resilience, generates business and economic opportunities, and provides environmental and societal benefits. Waste is eliminated because everything is recovered, reused, remanufactured and recycled.<\/p>\n

4. Downcycling<\/h2>\n

A form of recycling that reuses material and converts it into a different product. An example would be recycling post-consumer (i.e., used) plastic bottles into clothing, such as fleeces, and from there into NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) insulation in motor vehicles. It delays disposal to landfill \u2013 sometimes for decades, allowing time for effective recycling or disposal technology to emerge \u2013 but does not eliminate it.<\/p>\n

5. Greenwashing<\/h2>\n

False or misleading claims of environmentally responsible or eco-friendly practices and behaviour. Examples could include \u2018eco-friendly cigarettes\u2019, \u2018flushable wipes\u2019 and single-use plastic packaging with scenes from nature on their labels. Also, investment in eco-friendly research that looks impressive but involves tiny amounts of money. Digging into \u2018corporate social responsibility\u2019 claims can often unearth examples of window dressing and greenwashing.<\/p>\n

6. Recovery and Reuse<\/h2>\n

At first glance, the most effective manifestation of the circular economy. Products are recovered and reused in their existing form. For example: glass bottles. They can simply be washed, sterilised and then used again in exactly the same form and for the same purpose. The caveat is that the energy and chemical cost of cleaning can be high, the expense of transporting heavy items can be significant and it is not infinite.<\/p>\n

7. Recyclable<\/h2>\n

Materials that can be recycled are described as recyclable. That doesn\u2019t mean that they will be; only that they can be.<\/p>\n

8. Recycling<\/h2>\n

Recycling is not Reuse; it is the recovery, reprocessing and reuse of materials, rather than complete products. Aluminium cans, for example, have a well-functioning collection and reprocessing infrastructure and are made almost entirely from recycled aluminium. Metallic components of automobiles are, increasingly, made from recycled material, also.<\/p>\n

9. Remanufacture<\/h2>\n

Returning a worn or used product to at least original performance specification. An established practice in the auto industry; the market potential in the EU is estimated to be EUR 90bn by 2030.<\/p>\n

10. Sustainable<\/h2>\n

Practices that are profitable can be described as \u2018sustainable\u2019. In environmental terms, it means the use of materials in ways that do not exhaust the supply. The term is often used misleadingly in greenwashing<\/strong> (see above).<\/p>\n

11. Sustainably sourced<\/h2>\n

Materials obtained from sources that are managed so as to be sustainable. Examples include fast-growing woodland, such as willow for fencing and some domestic items; pine for furniture; and conserved fisheries.<\/p>\n

As specialists in plastic injection moulding<\/a>, BEC Group has a strong interest in researching and developing sustainable processing and uses of polymers. In this series we will look at materials and processes that are already available for sustainable manufacture and at new developments. We will consider the properties materials must have and how suppliers, contractors and OEMs can work together to improve the image and usefulness of plastics in manufacturing.<\/p>\n

We’re here to help.\u00a0 If you’ve got any questions about choosing materials for your next plastic injection moulding project then please give us a call on 01425 613131<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

“How Green is my Product?\u201d, this is the first in a series of blogs and articles that look at the challenges of manufacturing products that are genuinely \u2018green\u2019 \u2013 starting with basics of the terminology… Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2686,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2655","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\nGreen Manufacturing - How Green is My Product? - BEC Group<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Is reuse the same as recycling? 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