Mitigating Emissions in the Packaging Industry

One significant issue with packaging is air pollution, stemming from the various stages of the packaging lifecycle, including manufacturing, transportation and disposal. © Fotograf – stock.adobe.com

Strategies for Environmental Stewardship

By Anoosheh Oskouian, President and CEO of Ship & Shore Environmental, Inc.

Packaging is vital in our modern lives, serving as a protective barrier for products and a canvas for branding. From the moment we wake up and reach for breakfast cereal to the evening when we unwind with a favorite snack, packaging surrounds us.

However, while packaging plays a crucial role in product delivery and consumer convenience, its production and disposal can contribute to environmental challenges, including air pollution. In this article, we dive into the importance of the packaging industry, the impact of air pollution, and effective strategies for mitigating emissions through air pollution control technologies.

The Importance of the Packaging Industry

The packaging industry is key in the global supply chains, ensuring the safe and efficient delivery of goods to consumers worldwide. Beyond its functional role, packaging serves as a means for brand identity, communication, and differentiation in the marketplace. Innovative packaging solutions contribute to reducing food waste, extending product shelf life, and enhancing consumer safety.

The Problem of Air Pollution

Despite its undeniable benefits, the packaging industry is not without its environmental challenges. One significant issue is air pollution, stemming from the various stages of the packaging lifecycle, including manufacturing, transportation, and disposal. Manufacturing processes such as printing, coating, and laminating release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other pollutants into the atmosphere, contributing to smog formation and respiratory ailments.

Mitigating Emissions and Air Pollution

To address the adverse effects of air pollution, stakeholders in the packaging industry must prioritize sustainability and implement measures to mitigate emissions. Adopting eco-friendly materials, optimizing production processes, and implementing recycling initiatives are essential steps in reducing the environmental footprint of packaging operations. Furthermore, investing in renewable energy sources and energy-efficient technologies can significantly decrease greenhouse gas emissions associated with packaging manufacturing.

Packaging production and disposal can contribute to environmental challenges, including air pollution. © Itsanan – stock.adobe.com

The Role of Air Pollution Control Technologies in Sustainable Growth

Air pollution control technologies play a pivotal role in mitigating emissions from packaging facilities and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. Among these technologies, Regenerative Thermal Oxidizers (RTOs) stand out as an effective solution for VOC abatement. RTOs utilize high temperatures to combust pollutants, converting them into harmless byproducts such as water vapor and carbon dioxide. With their high destruction efficiency and energy recovery capabilities, RTOs offer a sustainable approach to reducing air pollution in the packaging industry.

Regenerative Thermal Oxidizers (RTOs): The Preferred Solution

RTOs are typically the preferred technology within the printing and packaging industry because they effectively control high volumes of air with low to moderate solvent concentrations. RTOs mitigate emissions in a cost-effective way, and achieve between 98% to 99%+ destruction efficiency, with impressive thermal efficiencies of up to 97%. Due to the high thermal effectiveness, RTOs have minimum natural gas consumption and lower operational costs, thereby offsetting capital equipment costs in comparison to alternative technologies. RTOs are reliable, durable, easy to maintain, and use a programmable logic controller (PLC) with a human machine interface (HMI).

Selection of a Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer (RTO)

An understanding of your individual process and goals is key to the successful implementation of an air pollution control system. This facilitates optimal value at every stage of the equipment selection process. A comprehensive understanding of the packaging process enhances the potential of abatement equipment to its fullest extent. Being well-versed in various types of process equipment including but not limited to presses, laminators, ink/solvents, and chemicals, offers an additional advantage when planning for expansion and projecting future production growth. Exploring potential opportunities for secondary process heat recovery allows for maximizing energy recovery, leading to overall lower operating costs. Leveraging knowledge, experience, and relationships enables the utilization of new construction incentives provided by local state agencies and utility entities, offering substantial returns, particularly through efficient RTO purchases. Conducting an overall assessment of plant design ensures the maximization of incentive potentials concerning presses, laminators, and RTOs as a complete package.

Conclusion

In conclusion, packaging stands out as a critical component of our daily lives, providing both protection for products and a platform for brand communication. However, its significance is accompanied by environmental challenges, notably air pollution stemming from various packaging lifecycle stages. Despite these challenges, the industry is actively pursuing sustainable solutions that ensure long-term revenue and production growth, with air pollution control technologies playing a pivotal role. Among these technologies, Regenerative Thermal Oxidizers (RTOs) are a preferred solution due to their high efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The selection of an RTO involves a thorough understanding of the packaging process, exploration of energy recovery opportunities, and leveraging incentives for sustainable growth. By prioritizing sustainability and adopting innovative solutions, the packaging industry can continue to grow and ensure the protection of both products and the environment for generations to come.

About the Author

Anoosheh Oskouian, President & CEO of Ship & Shore Environmental, embodies determination in both her professional journey and philanthropic endeavors. She holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Colorado. Breaking barriers as one of few women executives in her field, Oskouian’s early career at Fluor Daniel equipped her with invaluable experience, culminating in her co-founding Ship & Shore Environmental in 2000. Under her leadership, the company has become a global leader in clean air technologies, garnering numerous awards and recognitions. An advocate for women in STEM, Oskouian shares her expertise as a speaker at various universities and industry events. Learn more at shipandshore.com.