〈全球環保時事〉彙整頁面 - Page 17 of 37

Target announces it will remove harmful chemicals from its products in 2020.

Target Announces 2020 Goal to Eliminate Hazardous Chemicals from Products. Target, the second-largest retailer in the US after Walmart, announced its 2020 goal of eliminating hazardous chemicals from its own-brand products. Target's ten-year sourcing plan will identify products containing hazardous chemicals and gradually reduce the levels of these chemicals in its purchased products. Target hopes this will drive its supply chain and collaborate with other industries to eliminate toxins. A Target sourcing services manager pointed out that more and more consumers want to know whether the products they buy are sustainable and responsible. Target must promise consumers that the products in its stores are not only safe and environmentally friendly but also respect labor rights. Therefore, Target will begin implementing hazardous chemical management actions starting with its own-brand products. Target updated its Sustainable Product Index (SPI) in 2016. The SPI is a product evaluation form that Target requires suppliers to complete before purchasing products, which includes four key requirements: safe raw materials, transparency of product composition, sustainable packaging materials, and good product management. Based on a product's performance in the four key areas mentioned above, the score will influence whether it can be sold in Target stores. Products with higher scores will also receive better purchasing terms from suppliers through Target's buying department. This has been in effect since 2016.

2017-10-12

SAC Releases New Higg Module Tool to Reduce Product Environmental Impact

SAC Launches New Higg Module Tool to Reduce Environmental Impact of Products. The Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) is a multi-stakeholder group comprised of leading global apparel industry players, including brands, retailers, manufacturers, governments, NGOs, and academic experts. Representing over 40% of the global apparel and footwear market, SAC is committed to reducing the environmental and social impact of apparel and footwear worldwide. In 2012, SAC launched the Higg Index, a product sustainability measurement tool developed based on existing assessment tools—the Outdoor Industries Association's Eco Index and Nike's Material Assessment Tool. Using the Higg Index, companies can identify opportunities to reduce negative environmental impacts and achieve long-term sustainability through supply chain improvements. SAC recently launched the Higg Index Design and Development Module (DDM), which, combined with the newly released Higg Materials Sustainability Index (Higg MSI) last month, forms a comprehensive product assessment tool from cradle to door.

2017-10-12

Multinational corporations jointly support a plan to recycle 70% of the world's plastics.

Multinational corporations have joined forces to support a plan to recycle 70% of the world's plastics. More than 40 leading companies in the industry have endorsed an action plan aimed at solving the global plastics problem in innovative and effective ways. This initiative was proposed in May 2016 by the World Economic Forum and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, and a joint research report, *The New Plastics Economy: Catalysing Action*, was published. Based on an industry potential analysis, the report estimates that the current annual recycling rate of plastic packaging is only 14%, and that if global companies work together, they could recycle and reuse 70% of the world's plastic packaging. The report points out that if the world does not take more proactive measures regarding the current state of plastic packaging, by 2050, the weight of plastic waste in the ocean will exceed the amount of fish caught. The report outlines a series of clear and transparent global plastics industry strategies, including better packaging design, increased recycling rates, and the promotion of new packaging application models. 20% of plastic packaging can be reused with added value, such as replacing single-use plastic bags with reusable materials or designing innovative packaging models based on different product types. 50% of plastic packaging materials can be recycled and reused with added value through packaging design or recycling management systems. Without any action, another 30% (equivalent to 10 billion garbage bags) will not enter the recycling system, and...

2017-10-12

China leads the list of the top 200 green enterprises.

China Dominates the Clean 200 List: Chinese companies continue to top the list of the world's 200 green energy and technology companies, covering multiple industries including biofuels and batteries. This achievement reflects China's global leadership in the growing clean energy economy. The Clean 200 List, released on February 21 by As You Sow and Corporate Knights, includes 71 Chinese companies, more than a third of the total, almost double the number of US companies (41). Japanese companies ranked third with 20 on the list. The two leading Chinese companies are Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co., Ltd., a wind turbine manufacturer, and GCL Energy Holdings Co., Ltd., a producer of solar-grade polysilicon, demonstrating the reaping of the Chinese government's large-scale investments in renewable energy in recent years. Only two UK companies made the list: SSE Plc, a utility company, ranked 9th, and Dialog Semiconductor, ranked 161st. Toby Heaps, president of Corporate Knights and one of the authors of the Green 200 report (hereinafter referred to as the report), pointed out that given that the Chinese stock market is only half the size of the US stock market, the achievements of clean energy companies are truly remarkable. This list, launched in 2016, serves as a control group for the "Top 200 Companies with the Strongest Carbon Emissions."

2017-10-12

Ocean plastic pollution alarms sound; Johnson & Johnson announces halt to production of plastic cotton swabs

Ocean plastic pollution is raising alarms, prompting Johnson & Johnson to announce a halt to the production of plastic cotton swabs. Last year, the United Nations warned that the large amounts of empty bottles and clothing floating in the ocean have become a serious threat to human health and the marine environment, representing one of the most dangerous environmental problems facing the world today. Following the advocacy of environmental groups, several multinational companies have pledged to eliminate plastic from their products, and Johnson & Johnson has followed suit, announcing the discontinuation of plastic cotton swabs, replacing them with paper ones. The Independent reports that global plastic production has increased rapidly, rising by 38% between 2004 and 2014, but recycling efforts have not kept pace. This has resulted in large quantities of microplastics smaller than 5 millimeters being washed into the ocean. In 2010, an estimated 4.8 million to 12.7 million tons of plastic were in the sea, ultimately being ingested by whales, plankton, and other marine life. Experiments have shown that replacing 1% of the sediment in worms with plastic has a negative impact on the worms' ability to store energy. A study last year analyzing fish bile sold in Indonesian and California markets found that more than a quarter of the fish contained plastic. Scientists fear that chemicals in plastic, and those adhering to plastic in the natural environment, could cause poisoning, infertility, and genetic damage in marine life, and could also harm humans if ingested in large quantities. A UN report states that the presence of microplastics in food may increase direct human exposure to plastic-related chemicals and could potentially harm human health.

2017-10-12

US retailers partner with plastics companies to increase plastic film recycling

US retailers are partnering with plastics companies to increase plastic film recycling. To improve the recycling rate of plastic film and bags, the Flexible Film Recycling Group of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) has partnered with the Connecticut state government to launch a plastic film and bag recycling program at the Price Chopper supermarket in Middletown. While over 18,000 supermarkets and retailers across the US offer in-store plastic film recycling services, consumer awareness has not kept pace. Placing plastic film in curbside recycling bins in the US can cause the machine sorting systems to malfunction. Therefore, initiatives promoting the separate recycling of plastic film and bags are emerging across the US, hoping to raise consumer awareness of the importance of recycling plastic film separately and to encourage support for flexible film recycling mechanisms. The Plastic Film Recycling website, established by ACC, lists various ways to recycle plastic film and bags, providing businesses with information on how to increase recycling rates. Methods include discussing packaging materials and designs with local recycling companies during the packaging design phase to help consumers identify materials and place them in the correct recycling channels. The Flexible Film Recycling Group is also working to design a recyclable label that consumers can easily identify.

2017-10-12

Walmart announces plans to further reduce harmful substances in products

Walmart announced further reductions in hazardous substances in its products. Walmart announced it will further reduce high priority chemicals (HPCs) by 1% by weight in its entire product line, bringing the cumulative reduction to 96% starting in 2014. The U.S. retail giant listed its policies and efforts regarding the use of sustainable chemicals in its consumer products in its 2017 Global Responsibility Report and announced this development. Since 2013, Walmart has required its direct suppliers to reduce or avoid the use of concerned chemicals in personal care products, paper products, cleaning products, pet and baby products, affecting more than 90,000 products from over 700 suppliers. In 2016, Walmart announced a 95% reduction in HPCs, followed by the release of information on eight chemicals of concern: – Toluene; – Dibutyl phthalate (DBP); – Diethyl phthalate (DEP); – Nonylphenol isopropoxylates (NPEs, including nine different CAS numbers); – Formaldehyde; – Butylparaben; – Propylparaben; and – Triclosan (besides undergoing the FDA New Drug Application process, ...).

2017-10-06

The Dow Jones Sustainability Index increases corporate disclosure of chemical substance management.

The Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) is increasing its disclosure requirements for corporate chemical substance management. Established in 1999, the DJSI is a joint venture between the Dow Jones Index, STOXX, and Sustainable Asset Management (SAM) in Zurich, Switzerland. It was the world's first social responsibility index to track the top 2,500 companies globally. DJSI will begin requiring companies to disclose more information about the chemicals used in their products. This update is a result of collaboration between the NGO ChemSec and RobecoSAM, a leading provider of information for DJSI's corporate sustainability assessment (CSA). The RobecoSAM CSA is an annual sustainability performance questionnaire for companies, containing approximately 80 to 120 questions depending on the industry, covering economic, environmental, and social issues. The updated CSA questionnaire now includes a new product management section requiring companies to provide information on the percentage of the following substances in their products: – regulated hazardous substances; – substances of international concern; – Substitute It Now data compiled by ChemSec.

2017-10-06

Graviky Labs turns exhaust fumes from transportation vehicles into pigments.

Graviky Labs Turns Vehicle Exhaust Gases into Pigments Environmental pollution, especially air pollution, is becoming increasingly serious, with various harmful emissions being the main culprits. These include emissions from manufacturing and transportation. As early as 2014, the World Health Organization defined air pollution as "the single greatest threat to the environment and human health." Statistics show that 6.5 million people die globally each year due to air pollution. Faced with this severe situation, countries around the world are trying to reduce air pollution, but most efforts focus on limiting emissions. Now, an engineer named Anirudh Sharma is researching how to reuse substances from exhaust gases. He eventually founded Graviky Labs, focusing on research into technologies for recycling and reusing vehicle exhaust gases. What prompted Anirudh Sharma to focus on exhaust gas reuse research was a seemingly insignificant event in 2013. During his time living in Mumbai, India, his clothes were often blackened by vehicle exhaust fumes, leading him to consider turning these fumes into pigments. Anirudh Sharma and his team spent three years developing a screening program called Kaalink. Kaalink is said to be able to filter 95% of exhaust gases from generators, ferries, and motor vehicles.

2017-10-03

Starting in 2030, SoftBank and Foxconn will only sell electric vehicles in India, entering the Indian renewable energy market.

Starting in 2030, India will only sell electric vehicles; SoftBank and Foxconn will enter the Indian renewable energy market. While President Trump announced the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, India's energy sector announced that, in order to combat increasingly severe air pollution, India plans to sell only electric vehicles after 2030. CNNMoney reports that as a developing country, India's economy is growing at an astonishing rate, but with continued industrial and transportation development, severe air pollution has followed. Studies estimate that air pollution causes approximately 1.2 million deaths annually in India; one doctor even described breathing in New Delhi as "like smoking 10 cigarettes a day." Beyond air pollution, India's booming economy has also made it the world's third-largest oil importer, spending nearly $150 billion (approximately NT$4.5 trillion) annually on oil. The development of electric vehicles will significantly reduce oil demand; therefore, the Indian government announced that after 2030, every car sold in India must rely on electricity, not oil. To achieve its goals, India launched the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan, hoping to reach annual sales of 6-7 million electric and hybrid vehicles by 2020. Energy Minister Piyush Goyal stated that the government would provide subsidies to support the growth of the electric vehicle market in its initial stages, but after that...

2017-10-03

GRI CEO advocates against green bleaching.

GRI CEO Advocates Against Greenwashing: Over 90% of the world's top 250 international companies write sustainability performance reports annually. Tim Mohin, the newly appointed CEO of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), points out that corporate sustainability reporting has become an international trend, influencing consumers and investors alike when making purchases or investments. However, "greenwashing" is frequently observed in these reports, and inaccurate information can lead to incorrect decisions by consumers and investors. Therefore, sustainability information in corporate social responsibility reports must be accurate and not exaggerated. A recent survey of institutional investors regarding corporate ESG (Environmental Social and Governance) performance revealed that 77% of investors believe integrating ESG initiatives into a company's business model is a smart move, but the ESG performance reported must be substantiated with sufficient information and transparency. Approximately 60% of investors want ESG reports to provide more complete and detailed information, while only 37% believe that bullet points are sufficient. Nearly two-thirds of investors believe that digital ESG report files are suitable for download and sharing, but more than half of investors still want the information to be more actionable. In addition, investors want sustainability performance to be effectively linked to the company's business model and impact.

2017-10-03

Fashion brand collaborations develop cradle-to-cradle safety materials

Five fashion brands have partnered with a non-governmental certification and ecolabel organization in the United States to develop certified materials that meet its standards for use in their supply chains. These brands, including H&M, Kering, Loomstate, Zero + Maria Cornejo, and Eileen Fisher, have joined the Fashion Positive Plus initiative established by the Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Product Innovation Research Center. By joining this initiative, these companies first compiled a list of their most frequently used materials, which were then tested for chemicals by an impartial third-party laboratory. This marks the first time multiple companies have jointly applied for C2C's ecolabel. C2C certifies the sustainability of materials through its self-defined and rigorous cross-industry circular economy standards. These standards cover various product categories, including building materials, interior decoration materials, packaging materials, personal care products, household goods, textiles, and apparel. The C2C standard aims to assess materials across five key quality areas: – Material health; – Material reusability; – Renewable energy and carbon management; – Water resource management; and – Social equity. After assessment, products will receive basic, copper, and other certifications in each of these five areas.

2017-09-28

The non-governmental organization ChemSec provides a platform for advocating for alternatives to hazardous chemicals.

Nonprofit organization ChemSec has launched The Marketplace, an online platform for suppliers and buyers to exchange information on alternatives to hazardous chemicals. The website welcomes any products that help solve hazardous chemical problems, including alternative chemicals and new technological solutions that allow people to no longer use hazardous substances. Currently, many companies increasingly want to avoid using hazardous chemicals in their products, but lack access to safe alternatives, making this change difficult. ChemSec created The Marketplace to help the industry understand these safe alternatives and provide market opportunities for alternative manufacturers. The Marketplace targets innovative companies committed to making chemical management more sustainable, as well as businesses providing feasible methods to replace hazardous chemicals. However, The Marketplace is merely a communication platform for users to showcase products on the market and does not have transaction functions. Alternative manufacturers can post advertisements for free to introduce their safe alternatives to potential buyers. All companies advertising on The Marketplace are responsible for the accuracy of their information; the website does not conduct any investigations into advertised products. Downstream users can search for suitable alternatives through The Marketplace's database and can also post their requirements on the website. The Marketplace also offers advanced search options, allowing users to...

2017-09-27

NGO demands product information system to achieve “toxic-free” circular economy

NGOs require product information systems to achieve a "toxic-free" circular economy. Several NGO groups have jointly spoken out, asking the European Commission to consider establishing a unified product information system to strengthen the information management of hazardous substances in products and waste. The European Union has actively promoted circular economy policies in recent years, requiring consumers to increase the proportion of recycling and encouraging recycling companies to recycle waste into raw materials. However, there are currently no norms or regulations in the EU that require the disclosure of information on hazardous substances in waste materials, making it impossible for recycling and processing operators to determine whether recycled materials contain hazardous substances. Therefore, in response to the concerns of NGO groups on this issue, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) stated that a unified product information system is indeed an effective solution. A unified product information system will need to merge several different regulatory requirements, including WEEE and REACH, and adopt a standard digital format to facilitate use by specific target groups. ClientEarth, one of the NGO groups, said that in order to be used for a long time, this information system must ensure that all relevant information, including the chemical composition of substances, can be provided to all manufacturers in the circular economy chain, especially recycling and processing operators and users. Material manufacturer. Another NGO CHEM Trust requires all substances of very high concern (Substance of very High Concern, SV

2017-09-27

Stanford University research found that global energy consumption will decrease by 23% as the world transitions to green energy.

A Stanford University study found that global energy consumption would decrease by 23% after the transition to green energy. Stanford University's School of Earth, Energy and Environment published a study investigating 139 countries that account for 99% of global carbon emissions, projecting their future transition scenarios based on their renewable energy resources. The study considered many factors, including electricity, transportation, air conditioning, industry, and agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. Large countries have the most space to develop renewable energy and are the easiest to transition to renewable energy power, as solar and wind power production increases with area. Smaller countries like Singapore would need to develop offshore wind power. After a complete switch to renewable energy, the costs of extraction, transportation, and refining of oil and gas would be reduced by 13% globally. Without oil, gasoline-powered internal combustion engines would cease to be used, and electric motors, due to their higher energy efficiency, would replace them, reducing global energy demand by 23%. While jobs in the oil industry would disappear after a complete transition, the number of jobs created by renewable energy would far outweigh the job losses. According to this study, 27.7 million jobs disappeared, but 52 million jobs were created, an excess of 24.3 million. Source: CSRone Sustainability Report Platform (August 26, 2017)

2017-09-27

CVS and Nestle embrace international sustainable packaging standards.

CVS and Nestle Embrace International Sustainable Packaging Standards. The global sustainable packaging market is projected to grow to over $404.3 billion in ten years. Companies that prioritize this trend can not only increase customer satisfaction but also reduce their product's environmental footprint. Therefore, the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) has partnered with two major industry groups to launch new sustainable packaging standards. To strengthen the impact of reducing product packaging waste, the international health chain pharmacy CVS Health has joined the SPC, which already has over 190 members worldwide, including Target, Unilever, P&G, and USPS, to collaboratively develop more advanced and sustainable packaging materials. CVS stated that a key aspect of its CSR is reducing the negative environmental impact of its operations, particularly in reducing product and packaging waste, and it hopes to achieve its sustainability goals by joining the SPC. Since CVS's business provides consumers with healthier medicines, food, nutritional supplements, personal care products, and cosmetics, more and more consumers are demanding that products and packaging meet the company's sustainability goals. In early 2017, CVS announced that nearly 600 personal care and cosmetic products sold on its platform would be free of phthalates (parabens) and formaldehyde, the most common formaldehyde emitters. Products failing to meet these zero-addition standards by the end of 2019...

2017-09-27

Adidas launches ocean debris-themed eco-friendly 3D concept shoes

Since becoming a founding member of the ocean conservation organization Parley for the Oceans in April 2015, Adidas has been actively developing innovative designs, hoping to raise awareness of ocean conservation among consumers and other product manufacturers through green product design. Therefore, at the Parley for the Oceans x COP 21 – Oceans. Climate. Life event this week, Adidas unveiled the Futurecraft 3D-printed concept running shoe, based on the best-selling 2015 Ultra Boost. This limited-edition concept shoe is a collaboration between Adidas and Parley for the Oceans, using recycled ocean debris as raw materials. The shoe consists of two main structures: the upper and insole are made from recycled fishing nets, while the sole support structure is made from a mixture of recycled polyester and discarded gillnets, all 3D-printed. Adidas stated that this concept shoe demonstrates that companies can use innovative design thinking to prevent human-caused damage to the ocean and plastic pollution. Adidas primarily provides Parley for the Oceans with assistance in educational communication and promotion, and sponsors its marine plastics AIR (Avoid, Intercept, and) products.

2016-10-06

The Zero Discharge Alliance for Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) adds new restricted substances to leather list.

The Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC), an international environmental group for the textile industry, includes major brands such as Nike, Puma, M&S, and Burberry. Its mission is to achieve zero emissions of hazardous chemicals from the textile supply chain by 2020. ZDHC recently updated its Manufacturing Restricted Substance List (MRSL) to include leather in its hazardous substance control scope. This updated MRSL 1.1 will provide a more consistent direction for chemical substance management across the textile industry. According to ZDHC, MRSL 1.1 not only regulates textile and footwear manufacturers but also includes chemical manufacturers and manufacturers of decorative parts for clothing and shoes. Restricted chemicals include solvents, detergents, adhesives, coatings, inks, detergents, dyes, colorants, auxiliaries, surface coatings, and setting agents that may be used in raw material processing, wet processing, repair, wastewater treatment, sanitation, and pest control. Frank Michel, Executive Director of ZDHC, stated that MRSL 1.1 provides a consistent chemical substance specification guideline, assisting brands in effectively communicating with their supply chains and reaching agreements on chemical substances.

2016-10-06

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization and China join hands to promote sustainable industrial development

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and China's Ministry of Environmental Protection officially established a strategic partnership last month to jointly promote sustainable environmental protection and industrial development. UNIDO and Chinese Minister of Environmental Protection Chen Jining signed a memorandum of understanding this month. The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation on issues such as environmental policy support, institutional framework development, implementation of multilateral environmental agreements, cleaner production, and pollution prevention. This bilateral cooperation also focuses on green design and ecoculture, including sustainable urban development, industrial waste and recycled resource utilization, industrial emissions control and air quality management, bilateral and multilateral cooperation, and the implementation of inclusive sustainable industrial development and the transfer and dissemination of environmentally friendly technologies. Other cooperative projects include assisting in the training of green professionals and the development of corporate green competitiveness in China and other developing countries, as well as providing information exchange platforms, experience sharing, and technology replication and transfer for South-South and triangular cooperation. Source: Eco-Business (December 10, 2015) (Compiled by PIDC)

2016-10-06

Bill Gates and Total invested $14 million in research and development of green plastics technology.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates and French energy giant Total have jointly invested $14 million to help develop cheaper bioplastics and bioenergy technologies. Renmatrix is developing a green technology called Platrose, which can convert biowaste into cellulose and produce chemical compounds and fuels that can replace petrochemical feedstocks. This technology uses supercritical water instead of enzymes, solvents, or acids to achieve cost savings. Renmatrix's technology won the Presidential Award for Green Chemistry in 2015. Renmatrix stated that Gates' investment will be used to expand the development of Platrose technology in the United States, Canada, and India, and to enhance the application of bioplastics in downstream products. Gates pointed out that in order to more effectively address the problems caused by climate change, we must produce competitively priced clean energy or bioenergy; and Renmatrix's technology is precisely an innovative way to achieve this goal. Source: Environmental Leader (2016-09-28) (Compiled by PIDC)

2016-10-06