Apr Envelope Window Coverings. Impact on Envelope Recycling and Sustainability Initiatives EMA Plant Management Committee April 27, 2006

Apr Window Coverings Agenda Envelope Recycling and the Impact of Window CoveringsEnvelope Recycling and the Impact of Window Coverings –ISRI / PSC –TAPPI Sustainability Initiatives of Window Covering ManufacturersSustainability Initiatives of Window Covering Manufacturers

Apr Recycling

Apr Collection – at office or home Infrastructure Required

Apr Sold by Grade Soft Mixed (1)Soft Mixed (1) Mixed (2)Mixed (2) Sorted Office (37)Sorted Office (37) Plastic Windowed Envelopes (S-30)Plastic Windowed Envelopes (S-30) typically allow 0.5 – 2.0 % prohibited materialstypically allow 0.5 – 2.0 % prohibited materials Paper Stock Chapter sets standards

Apr De-Inking plant

Apr Bale going to Pulper

Apr Pulping Scrap Paper + Water Agitation Heat Chemicals

Apr Solids Separation Film UV coatings staples paper clips inks clay

Apr Mill Comments If the material is not useable fiber, separate it as early in the process as possibleIf the material is not useable fiber, separate it as early in the process as possible “small bar on the pareto chart – nuisance problem”“small bar on the pareto chart – nuisance problem” window envelope is preferred vs. an address labelwindow envelope is preferred vs. an address label shredding makes window coverings more difficult to separateshredding makes window coverings more difficult to separate TISSUE MILLTISSUE MILL plastic adds to BTU value

Apr Paper Recycling - Summary CollectionCollection –grades of scrap paper that allow envelope window coverings –There is no separation of envelopes by window covering type Pulping -Pulping - De-trashing / ScreeningDe-trashing / Screening materials removed include staples, film, UV cured coatings… Effect on EffluentEffect on Effluent –Envolution Study - Centre Technique du Papier International

Apr Envelope Window Coverings PolystyrenePolystyrene GlassineGlassine PLAPLA OthersOthers

Apr Sustainability’s Triple Bottom Line The ultimate balance sheet, calling attention to the three fundamental areas economicseconomics environmentenvironment societysociety

Apr PLA Envelope Window Film Features  Uses significantly less patch adhesive  Outstanding wet fiber tear  Great tear strength  Remarkable stiffness  Envelope and window can be composted together  Can be Recyclable or Repulpable in the Repulping process  Annually renewable and sourced from a stable raw material source – CORN !  Recognized by end users as the environmentally friendly choice

Apr PLA Environmental Features  Greenhouse Gas Neutral Polymer  Multiple sources of annually renewable feedstock's  Corn  Wheat  Rice  Sugar Beets  Sugar Cane  Can be recycled in a number of ways  Using 100 lbs of PLA film instead of a petrol based film will: –Save 50 liters(14 gal.) of gas –Power a 100 watt light bulb for 8 months –Same as eliminating the Carbon Dioxide emissions from an automobile over a 6-week period Clear Benefits that the Consumer Understands

Apr Polystyrene & Petroleum 12 – US Dept of Energy

Apr Film Manufacturing Melt pellets and convert to filmMelt pellets and convert to film Zero landfill policyZero landfill policy Most scrap is reprocessed internallyMost scrap is reprocessed internally Residual sold to scrap plastic processorsResidual sold to scrap plastic processors

Apr Film Manufacturing Little scrap generationLittle scrap generation –some edge trim –some start up scrap

Apr Packaging Material PalletsPallets CoresCores End boardsEnd boards bandingbanding stretch wrapstretch wrap

Apr Cores and End Boards Reused on thicker films and sheetReused on thicker films and sheet End boards are sent back for re-useEnd boards are sent back for re-use

Apr Reusable Packing Pallet that held master rolls is cut in half Both halves are used to ship slit rolls

Apr Film Manufacturing - Summary Zero landfill impactZero landfill impact –no plastic goes into landfill most reprocessed internally minor amount sold to scrap dealers – like an envelope manufacturer sells paper clippings Returnable PackagingReturnable Packaging Non returnable packaging is reusedNon returnable packaging is reused

Apr Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Use thinner film when you can maintain productivity and qualityUse thinner film when you can maintain productivity and quality

Apr Questions?