Sustainability remains in the news; however, the technology doesn’t always keep up. For example, Lego has abandoned its most high-profile effort to ditch oil-based plastics from its bricks after finding that its new material led to higher carbon emissions, according to the Financial Times. After two years of development and testing to make a brick from recycled plastic bottles rather than oil-based ABS, Lego decided that it didn’t make sense. This highlights the complexities that arise when conflicts exist in achieving goals. For example, in the Lego situation, eliminating the use of fossil fuels and reducing carbon emissions came into conflict.
Logistics Experts Staying Up at Night
In Southern California, there are several regulations going into effect where the technology is simply not ready and will not be ready on time. Thus, Logistics executives say this topic keeps them up at night. For example, there are several trucking regulations that cannot be met with the technologies available, the lack of charging stations, and lack of power. To hear more about manufacturing and supply chain geopolitical and regulatory issues, watch our recent webinar.
Yet Significant Progress Abounds
On the other hand, significant progress abounds. The goods movement industry has invested significantly and was focused on sustainability long before regulations came into the picture. When industry is unencumbered and engaged, dramatic results will follow. For example, according to the PMSA, the ports and supporting transportation community has achieved landmark progress in reducing emissions.
In their press release, PMSA reported that the San Pedro Bay Ports together saw steep and dramatic reductions in 2022; combined numbers reveal drops of 90% for diesel particulate matter (DPM), 97% for sulfur oxides (SOx), 63% for nitrogen oxides (NOx) and equally remarkable declines for other emission categories, compared to the baseline year of 2005.
On the manufacturing front, sustainability has gained momentum. The triple bottom line is abundant for those manufacturers following common sense good manufacturing processes. For example, read our Adhesives & Sealants article, “Common Sense Manufacturing Processes Drive Sustainability Improvements“.
The Bottom Line
Use common sense, take smart risks with good potential to yield sustainability results, positively impacting the triple bottom line, and chalk R&D and trials up to part of the process. On the other hand, don’t throw money down the drain in the name of sustainability when what you are positively impacting in the US will be more than offset in China (as an example). After all, that is not common sense!
If you are interested in reading more on this topic:
https://www.lma-consultinggroup.com/how-packaging-can-contribute-to-the-triple-bottom-line/