InSinkErator – How to dispose 34 mio tons of food waste?

Food waste is a large component of our solid waste problem. And the question of what to do with it is a challenge for communities worldwide. Most of the food waste ends up in landfill, contributing to greenhouse gases.

PE INTERNATIONAL Inc. conducted a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to help InSinkErator, a North American producer of disposers, to better understand the environmental impact of different food waste disposal systems.

The study examines various methods of transferring and disposing of organic food waste while measuring the global warming potential and primary energy demand of each process.

Read the summary of the study

For more information please contact Laura Mar

Truck Freight vs. Rail Freight – the next round

Environmental studies usually came to the conclusion that rail is generally the better and preferable environmental transport solution. In our recent study we demonstrated that a general statement, i.e. that rail is more environmentally friendly than road, cannot be made.

In the upcoming update focusing on Germany, we took into account most recent data available from rail companies. The results of the update confirm the findings of our previous study. A new case study, investigating the shift from road to rail of long-distance freight transport over distances beyond 300 kilometres, as proposed in the EU White Paper, revealed that CO2 emissions of rail and truck are in the same magnitude.

Depending on specific case parameter such as load factor, empty trips, precarriage and oncarriage either truck or rail performs better. This is a fact underlining our claim that a case-to-case investigation is required. 

Read the summary of the study 

For more information please contact Michael Spielmann

Australian Dairy study to establish industry´s carbon-cred

The Australian subsidiary of PE  is conducting a Life Cycle Assessment to establish the Australian dairy industry´s carbon footprint. The study aims to quantitatively evaluate the carbon footprint from a systems analysis point of view, i.e. farm-to-distributor´s warehouse or export harbour and focuses on the major dairy products produced for export and retail. Once completed in 2012, the assessment will identify the life-cycle phases with the highest environmental impact and highlight areas of potential improvement along the supply chain.

In the magazine Food & Drink Business, Neil van Buuren, the project leader, states “The study will generate a reliable basis for carbon footprinting, environmental product reporting and product labelling, for example environmental product declarations and carbon-reduction labels. It will enable benchmarking at both the farm and the corporate level to help drive best practice.”

More widely, it will support strategic decision-making to promote a more competitive Australian dairy industry and build the basis for sustainable leadership.

Australia is being told that it needs to increase its food supply by 50% by 2050 without increasing the amount of resources it uses. “All food production comes at an environmental cost and CO2 emissions arise at all points of supply chain,” van Buuren says.” This study is part of the dairy industry´s response to that challenge.”

For more information please contact Barbara Nebel

First Light house

Victoria University of Wellington, in New Zealand’s capital city, has been selected as one of 20 university teams to compete in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 – the only entry, ever, from the southern hemisphere.

The First Light house is designed not only to operate as a sustainable, energy efficient and high performance building that minimises the environmental burdens and conserves resources but also focuses on recreation, socialisation, and outdoor living. However, the students realised that the operational environmental impact is only one part of the picture.

Although a Life Cycle Assessment is not one of the competition categories, the students were keen to use a LCA as part of their story around their house. PE INTERNATIONAL supported the students by undertaking a comprehensive analysis to quantify the environmental performance of the First Light house for construction, operation, maintenance and disposal. In addition to this we trained Victoria University students in the GaBi software and provided LCA seminars.

PE INTERNATIONAL wishes the First Light Team all the best for the completion of the project.

About the competition:
The US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon challenges 20 university teams, through a series of 10 contests, to demonstrate inventive clean-energy solutions by building solar-powered houses that feature cost-effective, energy-efficient construction and incorporate energy-saving appliances and renewable energy systems.

This year the Solar Decathlon will take place on the National Mall’s West Potomac Park, which is nestled amongst national landmarks and memorials, and is just a stone’s throw from the White House. The competition runs from September 23th to October 2nd.



more information: www.firstlighthouse.ac.nz

Carbon Footprint Standard ISO 14067

Carbon Footprint Standard ISO 14067 is to be published in the next two years. This Standard will influence New Zealand’s marketing of export products and will ensure that reliable information is provided on the carbon footprint of products.

Barbara Nebel, PE INTERNATIONAL (Australasia) is New Zealand’s representative on the ISO committee developing this standard and co-chairs the Standards New Zealand International Review Group on Life Cycle Assessment (IRG LCA).


‘My role as Co-Chair of the IRG LCA is to represent New Zealand’s best interests in carbon footprinting,’ says Barbara. ‘I think it’s critical to get an internationally agreed Standard to provide a level playing field for all players. ISO 14067 will do that by providing a standardised approach to calculate and communicate carbon footprint.’

read the full interview with Barbara Nebel

Massey University offers PhD Scholarships

The New Zealand Life Cycle Management Centre is offering two exciting opportunities to outstanding candidates with research interests in Life Cycle Management.

You will study for a PhD at Massey University in association with a Crown Research Institute (AgResearch or Scion). The PhD is funded through a Massey University scholarship for three years of study; this includes all academic fees and a tax-exempt stipend of $25,000 per annum.

Applications close on the 30th September, and more information can be found on the NZCLM website.

The NZ Life Cycle Management Centre is a collaboration between Massey University and three research institutes to build capability in Life Cycle Management (LCM) in New Zealand.

Turkey – Sustainability report

Akçansa Çimento, Turkey’s largest cement producer has sought to get a better understanding of sustainability within the whole organisation. Together with PE INTERNATIONAL, Akçansa Çimento developed industry specific key performance indicators and set sustainability targets which allow for monitoring and improving the sustainability performance of the enterprise.

With the support of expert consultants a sustainability report and a communication plan were developed. The report achieved a B-level verification from the GRI.

The Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE) is about to introduce a sustainability rating, for which Akçansa Çimento, publicly listed on the ISE, is now extremely well placed.

For more information please contact Matthias Reimers

GaBi 5 & Databases ’11 - the new generation of product sustainability

GaBi 5 & Databases ’11 are the next generation of LCA technology providing LCA experts and LCA debutantes with confidence for making good business decisions and for issuing accurate and reliable external communications. All Life Cycle Assessment practitioners will experience more efficiency in modelling for faster LCA studies and easier communication of actionable Life Cycle Assessment results.

GaBi 5 and the Databases ’11 establish Life Cycle Assessment as an essential tool for the whole organisation to develop more sustainable products and processes while increasing resource efficiency and reducing cost.


Contact us now for a demo and offer.

More information on GaBi 5 and Databases ’11 here.

Symposium 2011 - Early Bird

Once again, PE INTERNATIONAL is hosting its annual symposium: a high-profile knowledge-sharing event where sustainability professionals and experts meet to share perspectives, current trends and market opportunities.


This year’s symposium, “Sustainability Across the Value Chain: The Successful Implementation of Strategies” links theory with practice.


Location: Maritim Hotel, Stuttgart, Germany

Date: October 25-27

Highlights:

• Pioneers of sustainable management share strategies, management programs, approaches and solutions
• Best practices from sustainability leaders regarding the whole value chain in different industries
• Enhance your network and exchange ideas with experts from all over the world

Check the Agenda and register now. Participants that register before October 1st receive a 30% early bird discount.