Sustainability Terminologies: A Journey Into the Words that Define Environmental Impact | Adhesives manufacturing company

Sustainability Terminologies: A Journey Into the Words that Define Environmental Impact

Posted 22 Jul 2024 by Nora Behrens, Marketing Manager Personal Care

This blog was co-authored by Elizabeth Staab, Global Sustainability Manager, Rigid Packaging.

In today's world, sustainability is a key consideration for businesses, especially in the disposable hygiene manufacturing industry. As consumers become more environmentally conscious, it is crucial for manufacturers to understand and implement sustainable practices.

Having a broader understanding of various approaches is pivotal to creating a healthier planet for future generations.

Origin of Material

The origin of material refers to where the raw materials used in a product come from and how they are sourced. In the context of bio-based materials and mass balance, it specifically relates to the origin of materials used in manufacturing processes that aim to be more sustainable:

• Bio-Based: Bio-based materials are largely derived from natural sources that can be replenished naturally over time, such as sugar cane and corn starch. Using bio-based and renewable raw materials supports the substitution of petrochemical components, reducing the reliance on non-renewable resources
• Mass Balance Approach: The mass balance approach is a methodology that allows for the gradual increase of bio-based and/or circular feedstocks in the production process. It involves mixing fossil and renewable materials while keeping track of their quantities and allocating them to specific products. The overall objective of these two types of materials and their methods is to minimize carbon emissions.

Understanding the origin of materials, particularly for bio-based materials and mass balance, allows consumers and organizations to make informed choices about the environmental impact of the products they use or produce while promoting the usage of renewable resources and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

End of Life of the Material

End-of-life refers to the stage when a product reaches the end of its useful life and needs to be disposed of. It is important to understand the various end-of-life terminologies and their implications for the planet. Let's take a closer look at some of these.

• Biodegradable: Biodegradable materials can break down or decay naturally without any special scientific treatment or time limit. However, it is recommended that businesses avoid using the term "biodegradable" when describing products and packaging, as it does not provide specific information about the methods or time required for degradation.
• Compostable: Compostability describes the capability of a product or package to degrade under certain conditions, such as in a composting environment, achieving 90% conversion to compost within 6 months. Compostability is a specific aspect of biodegradation. Compostable products require specific conditions, such as microorganisms, humidity, and heat, to yield a finished compost product. They can compost through industrial composting facilities or home composting environments. It is worth noting that companies most commonly refer to industrial composting when discussing compostability, whereas consumers may more frequently think of home composting.
• Recyclable: Recyclable materials can be processed and used to create new products of a similar quality and value. Recycling helps reduce the consumption of raw materials and energy, as well as the generation of waste.

Understanding the end-of-life options for a material and taking into consideration the current and expected future infrastructure of the region and its product development process, allows for informed decision-making in terms of waste management practices, recycling initiatives, and the development of more sustainable products. All in all, it promotes the circular economy by minimizing the use of finite resources and reducing the environmental footprint associated with waste disposal.

Biodegradable and bio-based

Now that we have explored the different terms, it is important to note that not all materials from renewable raw materials are biodegradable, and not all biodegradable materials are bio-based. As seen, "biodegradable" and "bio-based" describe different aspects of sustainability, end-of-life and origin, respectively, and cannot be used interchangeably. Both concepts and a proper application play a role in promoting sustainability and reducing the negative impact on the planet.

Measure the environmental Impact with Life Cycle Assessment

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a crucial tool for evaluating the environmental impact of products throughout their entire life cycle. LCA considers raw material extraction, production, use, and end-of-life stages. Manufacturers can conduct their own LCAs to identify areas of improvement and make informed decisions to reduce their products' environmental footprint.

• Cradle-to-Gate: Assesses a product until it leaves the factory gates before it is transported to the consumer (B2C) or customer (B2B)
• Cradle-to-Grave: Considers impacts at each stage of a product's life cycle from raw materials and processed through each subsequent stage of manufacturing, transportation, product use, and ultimately, disposal
• Cradle-to-Cradle: A variation of cradle-to-grave that replaces the waste stage with a recycling process that makes it reusable for another product, essentially "closing the loop".

Image Source: What is a Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) and how can you conduct one? (minespider.com)

H.B. Fuller has embraced a comprehensive sustainability framework that guides our approach to innovation. The company's commitment to reducing environmental footprint is evident in our many efforts to minimize waste generation and optimize resource consumption.

Working in close collaboration with our customers, we leverage our broad technology platform, market segment expertise, global reach, and entrepreneurial spirit to bring new, highly specified solutions to market that enable our customers' success and enhance the sustainability of their end products. Today, nearly 60% of new product development projects are focused on increasing the sustainability of our customers' end products.

By implementing sustainable practices and considering the environmental impact of their products, manufacturers can contribute to a healthier planet for generations to come.

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