The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)’s International Symposium on Energy Efficiency (#ISEE18) in Washington last month provided a prime opportunity to explore how energy efficiency can contribute to a sustainable future. Leaders from business, government and academia shared best practices in “doing more with less.” Chemistry has an essential role. For over a […]
Tag Archives: Sustainability
Building sustainability and resilience through chemistry
At the AIA Conference on Architecture this week, architects, designers and firms are gathering in New York City to share their perspectives, and learn from others, about how to “build a blueprint for better cities” – with a focus on health, resilience and sustainability. AIA states that “community sustainability goals are fulfilled in large part […]
A dip in plastics recycling. Now what?
This year on America Recycles Day (November 15, #BeRecycled), there’s a lot of discussion about challenges facing the recycling industry. A recent example: the 2016 dip (2.4%) in plastic bottle recycling, which reversed twenty-five years of growth and a five-year compounded annual growth rate of 2.1%. So, what happens when an enterprise that has seen […]
More plastic, less waste? Yes. Seriously.
A new study in the journal Science Advances looks at the “Production, Use and Fate of All Plastics Ever Made.” We welcome this new study, and the opportunity it provides to context to the important discussions around plastics’ growth and post-use management. Let’s start with a fact that might be counter-intuitive: plastics are highly efficient […]
Marine litter: Let’s stay focused on solutions
Earlier this week I had the privilege of speaking at the German Mission during the United Nations’ “The Oceans Conference.” The conference was designed to advance implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 to conserve and sustainably use our oceans, seas, and marine resources. And this obviously includes our shared goal of keeping plastics out of […]
Chemical industry achieves record-setting process safety gains
This week, June 12-18, marks the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration’s (OSHA) inaugural Safe & Sound Week, a nationwide effort to help workers and managers understand the valuable role that occupational safety and health programs can play in helping to prevent workplace accidents. As a Safe & Sound Week Partner, ACC joins OSHA and […]
Spray Foam Coalition continues sponsorship of DOE’s Race to Zero Student Design Competition
As we have for the past few years, the Spray Foam Coalition of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) sponsored the 2017 U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Race to Zero Student Design Competition. This year, the first-place winner in the small multifamily housing contest – from Georgia Tech – used […]
Plastics-to-fuel turns “waste” plastics into a valuable resource – while saving other resources in the process
A new study by Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), part of the U.S. Department of Energy, found that converting non-recycled plastics into diesel fuel can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 14 percent, water consumption by up to 58 percent, and traditional energy use by up to 96 percent compared to diesel production from traditional […]
Chemistry 101 at #AIACon17
The American Institute of Architects’ Conference on Architecture brings together thousands of architects and building and design industry professionals this week in Orlando, with the opportunity to see the latest innovative building products and meet with companies that support the industry. American Chemistry Council members are showcasing products that enable the latest efficient, durable and […]
Connecticut launches statewide campaign to increase plastic film recycling
On Tuesday, the Wrap Recycling Action Program (WRAP), in partnership with the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environment Protection (DEEP) kicked off a statewide awareness campaign to increase the recycling of plastic wraps, bags and film packaging (collectively known as plastic film). A recent statewide survey showed why this CT WRAP campaign is so important: […]
