Interstate Container Cambridge Named WMDT/Mountaire Farms Environmental Star of the Month for July

Interstate Resources News homepage: http://news.interstateresources.com


In a joint effort with Mountaire Farms, Interstate Container has developed a recyclable and compostable “GREENCOAT™” box for use in packing and shipping poultry and other products, aimed at reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

(Millsboro, DE) – ABC affiliated television station in Salisbury, MD, WMDT and Mountaire Farms are proud to name Interstate Container Cambridge, MD, as the recipient of the WMDT/Mountaire Farms Environmental Star of the Month Award for July. For over a decade the box industry has faced the challenge of finding a viable alternative to wax coated boxes.

Under mounting pressure from major metropolitan areas and retailers to develop an environmentally friendly option, Interstate Container of Cambridge, a subsidiary of Interstate Resources, did the improbable, meeting the challenge head on and developing their patent pending GREENCOAT™ box. This unique box maintains all the strengths of its wax coat counterpart and none of its weaknesses.

In comparison, the box size has been slightly smaller, allowing for a reduction in the amount of paper needed to produce the box, and the inner plastic bag and wax coating once used on all boxes was eliminated. These subtle, but highly effective changes make the biggest difference possible, the new GREENCOAT™ box is 100% recyclable and compostable, thus reducing the millions of tons of waste destined for landfills & greenhouse gas emissions once seen with wax coated boxes.

This new packaging has passed the ISO 16929 protocol for plastic disintegration in a pilot scale composting facility, which means it meets the government’s environmental standards. It is for this innovative excellence Interstate Container was chosen as an Environmental Star of the Month.

Mountaire Farms, a proud partner of Interstate Container, has fully integrated the GREENCOAT™ boxes into their production facilities for use in packing and shipping poultry product throughout the United States and abroad. It was through a joint effort with Interstate Container that the GREENCOAT™ prototype, and its state-of-the-art technology, was first developed and unveiled to the world.

Mountaire Farms is the first company to utilize the 100% recyclable containers, which are inline to replace all wax boxes used in the U.S. supply chain. This industry switch over as a whole will not only eliminate waste, but will also provide noticeable decreases in water and energy usage. And Interstate Container can proudly say they where the driving force behind this latest technological innovation, placing them at the forefront of the industry.

According to Pete Bugas, General Manager, Interstate Container,

“This a major step to permanently remove wax boxes throughout the supply chain in the United States. This box now provides the end-user with a recycling option; it also is certified compostable, which is yet another avenue to prevent boxes from being land-filled.”

Earlier this year the GREENCOAT™ boxes were first tested on Mountaire product destined for the New York City market, which runs through the Hunt’s Point Distribution facility in New York. Interstate Container, in partnership with Global Green USA and Mountaire, commenced the conversion of Mountaire’s New York City business to these FBA-certified recyclable boxes. This initial trial was implemented at Mountaire’s Lumber Bridge North Carolina facility, the largest poultry processing plant in the country.

By transitioning Mountaire’s business to GREENCOAT™ boxes, the New York City market alone will now be able to recycle over 6,000 tons of poultry boxes per year. If all of Mountaire’s boxes servicing New York City are recycled, greenhouses gases would be reduced by 21,000 mtCO2e per year, equivalent to removing 3,800 passenger cars off the road.

After witnessing these glowing results, it was an easy decision for Mountaire to formulate a plan to not only convert their existing modified atmosphere packaging to recyclable boxes, but also to convert their ice pack product to atmosphere packaging as well, in turn allowing for a complete transition of the entire product line to recyclable boxes. Full conversion of facilities in Lumber Bridge, NC, Selbyville, DE and Millsboro, DE has already been completed.

“Because we’re an agricultural company, we have an obligation to take care of the earth. In order to sustain our business, we need to have good soil, clean water, and clean air to grow our crops and raise our chickens. It is all part of our way of being.”- Larry Saywell, VP of Marketing, Mountaire Farms

The WMDT/Mountaire Environmental Star of the Month Award is designed to honor local individuals or groups for outstanding achievement in promoting environmentalism on Delmarva. Anyone contributing to the advancement, promotion, awareness and improvement of our Delmarva environment is eligible for this unique television and Mountaire tribute.

To request information about GREENCOAT™ wax alternative boxes, contact: greencoat@interstatecontainer.com.

Source: www.mountaire.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=content.pageDetails&id=2014&typeID=551

Interstate Container Cambridge to Present at 2010 NRA Show

Interstate Resources News homepage: http://news.interstateresources.com

Global Green's Coalition for Resource Recovery (CoRR) members will speak at the 2010 National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show in Chicago.

Pete Bugas of Interstate Container Cambridge, will discuss how restaurateurs can save money and launch green operations immediately through innovative recycling programs. Bugas is National Account Manager for the corrugated plant's innovative GREENCOAT™ corrugated wax alternative boxes.

"Turning Spent Food Packaging into Gold: The Next Frontier in Recycling"

24 May 2010
Room S403B
McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois


In addition to Bugas, other coalition speakers include:

• Kristin Newman, International Paper


• Larry Saywell, Mountaire Farms


• Annie White, Coalition for Resource Recovery (CoRR)

CoRR program discussion areas include recyclable wholesale transfer packaging and recyclable paper foodservice packaging.

New Recyclable Poultry Packaging from Interstate Container Cambridge Packs a Climate Punch

Interstate Resources News homepage: http://news.interstateresources.com
Source: Global Green, New Recyclabe Poultry Packaging Packs a Powerful Climate Punch; Saves Money & Resources

Global Green USA, Mountaire Farms, and Interstate Container announced completion of the conversion of the largest poultry plant in the US to recyclable, wax-alternative boxes, thereby reducing costs and environmental impact, and assisting its customers in cost-effectively meeting their environmental goals.

At the International Poultry Expo, Global Green USA applauded Mountaire Farms and Interstate Container for their pioneering roles in reducing the environmental impact of wholesale transfer packaging as this innovation has the potential to influence the design of transfer packaging for all types of poultry, meat, produce and seafood delivered to grocers and restaurants throughout the world. Global Green also called on the food packaging industry to convert to this newly achievable green standard.

In March 2009, Interstate and Mountaire Farms announced its plans to conduct trials of recyclable modified atmosphere packaging through Hunt’s Point, the world’s largest food distribution center, as part of Global Green’s Coalition for Resource Recovery’s initiative to achieve 100% recyclable wholesale transfer packaging through the facility. Trials began pallet by pallet through Hunt’s Point’s harsh conditions and progressed to the truck load, and finally a two week test where Mountaire product shipped solely in the Fibre Box Association (FBA)-Certified recyclable boxes.

Upon successful completion of the pilot in September 2009, Mountaire announced its plan to not only convert its existing modified atmosphere packaging to recyclable boxes but also to convert its ice packed product to modified atmosphere packaging to allow for a full transition of its entire product line to recyclable boxes. The full conversion of Mountaire’s first facility and the largest poultry plant in the US, located in Lumber Bridge, NC, was completed in January.

According to Interstate Container’s National Account Manager, Pete Bugas,

“This is a first truly significant step towards replacing high-performance wax boxes throughout the difficult fresh food distribution channels. These boxes must withstand an extremely wet and challenging environment. Meeting the protocol criteria set forth by the FBA is a crucial step, and satisfying the rigors of the distribution channel in New York City is equally as tough. Ultimately, this fiber can now be recaptured instead of heading to a landfill where wax boxes are discarded. Interstate’s continuous environmental stewardship efforts remain a key part of our corporation’s DNA.”

The switch to FBA-certified recyclable packaging is only one component of the sustainable packaging transition. The switch in packaging methods from ice packed poultry to modified atmosphere packaging will result in significant water and energy savings. The box size was reduced, all wax was eliminated from the box, reducing the use of corrugated and petroleum products. If all of the newly designed boxes were recycled, the greenhouse gas benefit from source reduction and recycling the boxes would be 100,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. In addition, the switch from ice-packed poultry to modified atmosphere packaging is estimated to save millions of gallons of water annually. Combined these innovations also improve efficiency, streamline operations, and provide a safer work environment.

According to Larry Saywell, Mountaire Farms’ VP of Marketing and Sales, “Mountaire Farms is an agricultural company, and we are heavily dependent upon the earth’s natural resources for the continued success of our business. This project maintains and conserves these natural resources and is consistent with our company’s ‘way of being’. We fully recognize the positive impact of this project’s success on the futures of our people, our farmers, our suppliers, our community and our business.”

It is estimated that 1.5 million tons of un-recyclable wax-coated corrugated boxes are discarded in the U.S. each year. If coated corrugated boxes were designed for recycling and recycled, a greenhouse gas savings of 5 million mtCO2e, equivalent to removing from one million passenger vehicles from the road, would be realized, and U.S. grocers and restaurateurs could save $63M annually in avoided disposal fees.

"To be competitive in today's world economy, our goal must be the sustainable use of materials," said Matt Hale, director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery. "Producing materials that can be recovered and reused at end of life helps us achieve this goal."

According to Annie White, Director of Global Green USA’s Coalition for Resource Recovery, “Converting to transfer packaging certified as recyclable by the Fibre Box Association, is a readily achievable step that industry and businesses can take to improve their environmental performance, enhance their service to customers, and improve their bottom line.

Through dedication and perseverance, Interstate Container and Mountaire developed a cost-effective, high-performing offering that enhances service to its customers. Global Green calls on others in the poultry, meat, produce, and seafood industries, to develop solutions for all food and packaging types, rapidly accelerating their use.”

Global Green USA’s sentiments were echoed in a statement provided by Chris Moyer, manager of the National Restaurant Association's Conserve program,

“The delivery of poultry, seafood, and produce in recyclable boxes helps divert potentially reusable materials from landfills. High performing, cost competitive recyclable boxes also provide another way restaurateurs can improve their bottom line and meet environmental goals, which is what we advocate through our Conserve initiative. We encourage the use of packaging made of recycled materials and similar innovations that assist restaurants in greening their operations.”

Global Green USA’s Coalition for Resource Recovery is an industry working dedicated to generating business value through transforming waste into assets. Founded in 1993 by activist and philanthropist Diane Meyer Simon, Global Green is the American Arm of Green Cross International (GCI), created by President Mikhail S. Gorbachev to foster a global value shift toward a sustainable and secure future by reconnecting humanity with the environment.

Interstate Container Cambridge is a member of Interstate Resources, Inc., member of INDEVCO Group.

[1] Greenhouse gas savings calculated using EPA’s WARM tool. Saving assumes 100% of the boxes generated are recycled.
[1] According to the U.S. EPA 2007 MSW Facts and Figures, 31 million tons of OCC is discarded each year. The Fibre Box Association estimates that 5% of OCC is wax coated. EPA WARM Tool and Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator were used to calculate potential greenhouse gas savings. National restaurateur and grocers savings are based on a national average tipping fee of $42.08 based on the 2006 data in BioCycle’s State of Garbage report.

Interstate Container Takes Part in Recyclable Shipping-Case Initiative

Interstate Resources News homepage: http://news.interstateresources.com/  


Source: GP Greener Package, March 2, 2009
Posted by: Anne Marie Mohan, Managing Editor

Global Green USA has announced the launch of an initiative with the Hunts Point Distribution Center in New York City, the world’s largest food DC, to substitute all of its nonrecyclable transfer packaging with recyclable packaging.

If successful, the program is expected to divert 30,000 tons per year of corrugated from landfills, reduce greenhouse gases by 103,000mtCO2e (metric ton carbon dioxide equivalent) per year, which is equal to taking 19,000 cars off the road - and save businesses $3 million-plus per year. Global Green also hopes the initiative will set the standard for “greening” transfer packaging throughout the world.

Recyclable corrugated cartons for fresh fruits & vegetables from Interstate Resources

As part of the program, Global Green’s Coalition for Resource Recovery CORR, along with participating businesses, will conduct recyclable box demonstrations at the Hunts Point DC to prove and document the performance, cost-savings, and environmental benefits of these boxes for a range of product, poultry, and seafood applications distributed throughout wholesale channels in New York City. Currently, Hunts Point uses 30,000 tons of waxed, nonrecyclable, corrugated boxes per year.

According to CORR Director Annie White, it is estimated that with the Hunts Point switch to recyclable corrugated, New York City businesses may save $3 million to $6 million per year through reduced landfill fees and the sale of corrugated initially procured through Hunts Point.

CORR notes that with scale and with the increased price of wax due to the closure of refining operations, the number of cost-competitive recyclable box options is increasing rapidly.

Interstate, Mountaire lead way with poultry packaging

The launch of the program also included an announcement by Global Green CORR Founder’s Circle member Interstate Container and its business partner, Mountaire, that they are conducting field trials on boxes used to ship poultry through wholesale channels.

In the fourth quarter of 2008, Mountaire’s export business transitioned to recyclable boxes from Interstate. Boxes destined for export are exposed to moist conditions prior to the product entering freezers, requiring even greater performance than those shipped to domestic grocers. Interstate and Mountaire are the only companies to have made this transition, relates CORR.

Converting boxes for the domestic wholesale market will complete the transition and is the greatest challenge, CORR reports. Poultry destined for restaurants and bodegas is often packed in ice or shipped in close proximity to product that is ice-packed, and this moist environment creates the most trying conditions for poultry transfer packaging.

“Demonstrating that recyclable packaging meets the rigorous performance criteria of wholesale distribution channels is an important first step in the recyclable box transition,” says White. “Our next step is to coordinate trials for all packaging applications and food types, including meat, poultry, seafood, and produce to demonstrate these boxes can work in a range of applications.”

Initiative is the latest step in greening process CORR notes that its Hunts Point initiative is just the most recent step in the process to eliminate wax boxes.

In 2005 and 2006, grocers such as Albertsons and Walmart worked with their supply chains to eliminate wax-coated poultry boxes. These grocers quickly realized a cost savings due to the switch because they could now sell the old corrugated cardboard (OCC) rather than paying to have it hauled away with trash.


Initiatives have also been supported by the development of the Fibre Box Association’s voluntary protocol and standard, which certifies that boxes with alternative coatings as recyclable within the existing OCC recycling stream. Since these early trials and the development of the recyclability certification, CORR relates, there has been a steady progression to test products under more trying conditions, such as those tested by Interstate and Mountaire.

The Hunt's Point Demonstration Project is but one of several of Global Green USA's Coalition for Resource Recovery dedicated to generating business value through creating a sustainable, zero waste New York City.

Coalition members include: Action Carting, Chemol, Interstate Container, Plasma Waste Recycling, Pratt Industries, Spectra-Kote, Starbucks Coffee Company, and Tomra. Meeting sponsors include: Coalition members and Ciba, Green Bay Packaging, Mountaire, Packaging Products Corporation, Salsberg Group, and Temple Inland. Additional funding has been provided by the Turner Foundation.