http://www.beamreach.org/wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&user=64.119.8.4&feedformat=atomBeam Reach Wiki - User contributions [en]2024-03-29T08:48:56ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.26.0http://www.beamreach.org/wiki/index.php?title=Sustainability-wiki&diff=63Sustainability-wiki2007-10-24T21:19:30Z<p>64.119.8.4: /* Food production and choices */</p>
<hr />
<div>This is a place to assess and improve the sustainable practices and technologies utilized by Beam Reach.<br />
Place new information in the categories below or create a new category for your efforts. <br />
<br />
(Make sure you create an account so that we can track your contribution. Then start editing, uploading files, and reading the FAQ to learn new wiki-skills...)<br />
<br />
<br />
== Our marine home: the green ship Gato Verde ==<br />
<br />
===Energy===<br />
* a biodiesel-electric propulsion system<br />
* [[Consumption of Electricity]] (Elise Chapman, 071)<br />
* [[Biodiesel]] (Heather Hooper, 071)<br />
* propane<br />
* lamp oil<br />
* batteries<br />
* [http://beamreach.org/wiki/index.php?title=Energy_Efficiency_of_the_Gato_Verde Sustainable propulsion and energy use on the Gato Verde] (Wessal Kenaio, 071)<br />
* regeneration under sail<br />
* a wind turbine? <br />
* [[Photovoltaic panels]] (Anne Harmann, 071)<br />
* fuel cells?)<br />
* [[Light Bulbs]] (Ashleigh Kemp, 071)<br />
* [[Hybrid diesel-electric propulsion systems]] (Tim Hunt 071)<br />
<br />
===Water===<br />
* Source: Friday Harbor<br />
* Source: Roche Harbor<br />
* Source: Snug Harbor<br />
* Source: Port Angeles<br />
* Use: hydration<br />
* Use: washing (dishes)<br />
* Use: showers<br />
<br />
===Liquid waste===<br />
* grey water (sinks, showers, decks)<br />
* black water (heads, urine, feces)<br />
* [[Sewage in the sea]]<br />
* [[Cleaning Supplies and Paper Towels]] (Liz Hetherington)<br />
<br />
===Solid waste===<br />
* Trash<br />
* recycling<br />
* compost<br />
**[[Compostable plastics]] (Alex Kougantakis, 071)<br />
<br />
===Noise pollution===<br />
* Gato Verde underwater signature<br />
* Noise mitigation technologies<br />
<br />
== Our terrestrial home: Friday Harbor Labs and San Juan Island ==<br />
<br />
===Food production and choices===<br />
<br />
* Lacrover Farm<br />
* Vegetarians and carnivores<br />
A Comparison of the Sustainability of Meat-Based Diets and Plant-Based Diets<br />
<br />
Wessal Kenaio<br />
BeamReach Marine Science and Sustainability School<br />
10/25/2007<br />
<br />
ABSTRACT Sustainability is characteristic of a practice or state that can be maintained at a certain level for an indefinite period (Wikipedia). This definition has broad implications as it relates to meat farming. In short, it means that a sustainable meat farm should be able to produce meat for an indefinite period without causing permanent damage to ecosystem health. In a broader sense, it also refers to secondary effects of non-natural meat farming caused by added hormones, degraded meat value, and the quality of life of the animals being farmed. For farms that feed their animals grain, sustainability also includes production of the grains necessary to feed the animals (or not feeding them grains at all). This article is an investigation into the sustainability of meat products. It considers whether it is possible to consume meat in a sustainable manner and briefly compares the sustainability of meat to other vegetarian options such as dairy and eggs. Finally, it offers suggestions for sustainable farming methods. <br />
<br />
INTRODUCTION<br />
In our fast paced, high population society, emphasis is often placed on eating quick, affordable meals. Unfortunately, the options associated with such dining are not always the best for our ecosystem, or our health. Over the past century, farming has become an effort which makes the words “mass production” seem trivial. High volumes of food are being produced in the cheapest possible ways. Ways that are proving detrimental to our earth. Genetically modified plants and animals have been manipulated to challenge millions of years of evolution. This combined with unnatural supplements of growth hormones and antibiotics, has agricultural animals and plants growing at alarming rates. We are using thousands of years worth of stored fossil fuel resources and adding unusual chemicals and nutrients into the environment. It is no surprise that our global ecosystem has not been able to healthily keep up with our expanding population and expanding demand for food. <br />
In light of global warming, environmental scientists and the general public alike are becoming more and more aware of the damage industrialization is having on our earth. Conservation efforts are growing to attempt to halt and possibly reverse the effects of 150 years of burning of fossil fuels. With the advent of the tractor-trailer and increasing US demands for food, agricultural farming has become a major contributing factor to global warming. Unprecedented resources have been and are currently being put into the production of our food, including limited land, water, and fossil fuel resources. The US agricultural industry requires unprecedented fossil fuel energy. Current US food production uses 50% of total domestic land area, 80% of fresh water, and 17% of fossil fuels (Pimentel et al). Fossil fuel energy input versus protein produced for animal protein in the US are as follows:<br />
<br />
Livestock and animal products Ratio of energy input to protein output<br />
Lamb 57:1<br />
Beef Cattle 40:1<br />
Eggs 39:1<br />
Swine 14:1<br />
Dairy (milk) 14:1<br />
Turkeys 10:1<br />
Broiler chicken 04:1<br />
Table 1 The fossil fuel energy input required to produce 1 kcal of animal protein (Pimentel et al)<br />
<br />
<br />
Table 2 demonstrates the grain and forage inputs per kilogram of animal protein produced (Pimentel et al.). This means that to produce 1 kg of lamb protein, 21 kg of grain and 30 kg of forage product (grass) were consumed. If grain-fed animals were fed on good-quality pasture alone, energy inputs would be reduced by approximately half, as farmers would not be relying on fossil fuels to help grow and transport grains.<br />
<br />
Livestock Grain (kg) Forage (kg)<br />
Lamb 21 30<br />
Beef Cattle 13 30<br />
Eggs 11 <br />
Swine 5.9 <br />
Turkeys 3.8 <br />
Broiler chicken 2.3 <br />
Dairy (milk) 21 30<br />
Table 2 Grain and forage inputs per kilogram of animal protein produced (Pimentel et al)<br />
<br />
If we want to preserve our earth for our future generations, we must begin to take steps to ensure more efficient methods of producing our sustenance.<br />
A question now arises: Is it possible to produce nourishment in manners that are completely sustainable? And if not, how can we maximize efficiency with regard and respect for our planet simultaneously?<br />
From an ecological perspective, agriculture can be defined as the practice of capturing solar energy, as converted to plants (or animals after consumption of those plants) and transferring that energy to people for their use (Heitschmidt et al 1996). Agricultural efficiency is the business of capturing solar energy and transferring it across trophic levels. Primary producers are those organisms (i.e. plants) which capture the energy of sunlight directly. They represent the bottom and first trophic level significant to agriculture. Primary consumers are cattle, chicken, pigs, and other animals associated with agriculture, whether it is for direct consumption of meat, or consumption of secondary products such as dairy and eggs, represent the second tier in trophic level. Finally, humans (and pets) represent the third tier in this agricultural hierarchy (Heitschmidt et al 1996). We are secondary consumers because we consume plants and animals from the previous two tiers. A food chain is the interaction of these levels. It is through the food chain that energy is converted from solar energy and transferred among different species on different levels. (Heitschmidt et al 1996).<br />
Most agricultural production today is done in the most affordable way possible. Respect is given to the quantity of food produced, not quality. Farming on a mass scale has been proven to be detrimental to our ecosystem. According to eatwild.com, mass farming results in: the introduction of large quantities of pesticides into the ecosystem, topsoil erosion, aquifer depletion, reduced genetic diversity, addition of fertilizers to soil, hormone residue, antibiotic residue, and the list goes on.<br />
The current methods of agricultural meat production allow farmers to produce more animals than their land is naturally capable of maintaining. Farms where animals graze off the land for their nutrients are inherently more sustainable as they can only support the number of animals that the land could provide for naturally. A study done by Heitschmidt et al (2004) considers the sustainability of rangeland agriculture (managed grazing). His paper suggests that managed grazing is sustainable as an option for growing animal protein on ecological, economic, and social levels. He suggests that there are four areas to consider regarding the ecological sustainability of rangeland meat production:<br />
1) Defoliation of plants<br />
2) Trampling and treading of surfaces<br />
3) Fecal and urine defecations<br />
4) Atmospheric gas changes<br />
Selective defoliation can alter competitive relationships and cause shifts in plant distribution. This can result in the proliferation of less productive and desirable plant species. The trampling of topsoil results in less roots and plant matter to absorb water and particles. This in turn causes an increase in surface water runoff and sediment production. The addition of nutrients via fecal and urine deposits alters natural nutrient cycles for the positive or negative. Finally livestock may be responsible for 15% of the worlds output of methane (CH4) (Heitschmidt et al 2004).<br />
<br />
RESULTS/ DISCUSSION<br />
Nevertheless, with proper rangeland management strategies, meat production as a product of grazing is a sustainable option (Heitschmidt). The following strategies could be considered and implemented to develop meat products sustainably:<br />
1) The need to balance efficiency of solar energy capture and harvest efficiency<br />
2) The inherent range in abiotic growing conditions over time and space (ex: seasonal and annual droughts which alter primary production)<br />
3) Managing the impacts of selective grazing<br />
To meet the above challenges, a number of tactics have been used to ensure that rangelands are properly grazed: proper stocking rates, strategic herding, fencing, water development, and various grazing systems (Heitschmidt et al 2004).<br />
Limitations of controlled grazing efforts do exist however. Economic returns prohibit employing high-cost, ecologically ameliorating management tactics (Heitschmidt 2004). There are ecological threats to sustaining rangelands as well. The invasion of noxious plants is one such threat. The continued conversion of rangeland into land for other uses such as cropland or homesteads is also a continuing threat. Finally, rangeland can be subject to desertification (primarily because of soil erosion) (Heitschmidt 2004).<br />
The social and economic sustainability of rangeland agriculture are strictly dependent on the beliefs of the society. Economic practicality in particular is dependent upon the beliefs of the society at any instant (Heitschmidt et al 2004). Despite the fact that rangeland agriculture is one of the oldest and most natural forms of agriculture known to man, general perception is that it is not environmentally appropriate (Heitschmidt et al 2004). This in turn reflects societal decisions, including those to buy meat produced on natural rangeland. <br />
As outlined by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Sustainable Agriculture and Research Education (USDA’s SARE) program to promote sustainability on farms, farmers can take several steps to farm more efficiently and sustainably. The first is in regards to the control of pests. In the past several decades pests have primarily been controlled by chemical methods. SARE’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) combines biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools to control pests in an environmentally friendly, economical way. Rotational grazing is also a management strategy employed to reduce manure buildup and reduce reliance on grains as feed. (SARE). <br />
<br />
SUSTAINABILITY AND BEAMREACH<br />
BeamReach is a school devoted to Marine Science and Sustainability. It is a forward thinking program that is devoted to teaching students about the importance of conscience decision making as related to sustainability. As stated previously in this paper, our earth’s resources are rapidly diminishing, as simultaneously is its health. In order to ensure a healthy ecosystem for generations to come it is up to us to promote healthy ways of living for ourselves and our children. Aside from teaching these concepts, BeamReach takes active steps to practice them. This paper is focused on agriculture and primarily animal-product agriculture in the United States. In order to reduce the impact we have on our ecosystem, BeamReach has adopted a policy of not consuming meat for sea portions of the program. As previously mentioned the production of a meat-based diet requires more energy than a vegetarian based diet. As such, while participating in the sea-based part of the program, each individual involved is impacting the ecosystem in a way that is less harmful than the average person. <br />
Consuming or not consuming meat is only part of the puzzle when it comes to ecosystem health. As meat is primarily produced today, it is a very unsustainable product; however, as defined above, it can be produced, and incorporated into ones diet sustainably. Whether or not BeamReach does incorporate sustainable meat products into the diets of individuals involved in the program, there are steps BeamReach can take to make the diet aspect of the program a more sustainable one. For example, BeamReach has made a conscious effort to buy the majority of its food from locally grown organic farms. This ensures less of a carbon footprint to get goods to the program; it also ensures a higher quality product, which undoubtedly has less of an impact on the ecosystem. Nevertheless, much of the food BeamReach purchases is already processed food that has traveled a long way to make it to the BeamReach table. This purchase of pre-packaged processed foods was most often made to save on time or budget. To increase sustainability BeamReach should make more of an effort to make a higher proportion of the diet fresh, local food options. As a new program, BeamReach is just starting to define what it is and what it stands for. The fact alone that it cares enough about sustainability to incorporate it into the curriculum shows that the effort and desire to be a sustainable program are already present. Tweaking the details will come with time, and I look forward to seeing what BeamReach becomes in the years to come.<br />
<br />
CONCLUSION<br />
“Properly managed grazing is ecologically sustainable” (Heitschmidt et al). The greatest challenge associated with rangeland grazing as a continued source of animal protein is the social values of our culture. The biggest threat to our ecosystem is the growing, unsustainable human population. To stop the degradation of our ecosystem we will first need to control the rate at which our population continues to increase. That is the bottom line. Our earth is clearly not in a healthy state. We need to stop the use of un-renewable, damaging resources and convert our industrialized lives into those that are clean, renewable, and sustainable. Only then will the earth begin to heal and become a healthy place for our children and grandchildren to live for generations to come.<br />
<br />
REFERENCES<br />
<br />
Exploring Sustainability in Agriculture. Brochure developed by the USDA’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education. www.sare.org or (301)-504-5230<br />
<br />
Heitschmidt, R.K., Short, R.E., Grings, E.E. 1996. Ecosystems, Sustainability, and Animal Agriculture. Journal of Animal Science 74. 1395-1405<br />
<br />
Heitschmidt, R.K., Vermeire, L.T., Grings, E.E. 2004. Is Rangeland Agriculture Sustainable? Journal of Animal Science 82. E138-E146<br />
<br />
Pimentel D., Pimentel M. 2003. Sustainability of meat-based and plant-based diets and the environment. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 78. 660-663<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
* [[Carbon footprint of transporting tofu and chicken to San Juan Island]] (Sam Levinson, 071)<br />
<br />
===Water supply===<br />
* Friday Harbor Labs<br />
* Friday Harbor town<br />
* Other sources of water on San Juan Island<br />
* salt water intrusion and desalination<br />
* rain catchment<br />
<br />
===Water uses=== <br />
* showers<br />
* laundry<br />
* hydration<br />
* cooking</div>64.119.8.4http://www.beamreach.org/wiki/index.php?title=Cleaning_Supplies_and_Paper_Towels&diff=57Cleaning Supplies and Paper Towels2007-10-23T14:59:07Z<p>64.119.8.4: New page: The Sustainability of Cleaning Supplies and Paper Towel Use I decided to pick a topic that not only affects us while we are in Beam Reach, but also impacts us on a daily basis after we l...</p>
<hr />
<div>The Sustainability of Cleaning Supplies and Paper Towel Use<br />
<br />
I decided to pick a topic that not only affects us while we are in Beam Reach, but also impacts us on a daily basis after we leave. Paper towels and cleaning supplies are something found in every household, but most people don’t usually give a thought to their impact on the environment. Paper towels were invented in 1931 by a Philadelphia school teacher in order to prevent children from giving each other colds. Paper towels have a clear sanitary advantage over rags because they are disposable, which is why most people, including myself use them (www.wikipedia.org). However, they are an immense waste of paper, especially considering they are usually thrown in the trash and not recycled. The United States currently uses 100 million tons of paper each year and this number continues to increase (www.conservatree.org). The paper production industry is one of the largest water polluters in the world (ww.conserveatree.org).<br />
If you are going to buy paper towels here are ways to lessen their impacts. One very smart choice is to buy recycled paper products. Recycled paper uses 55% less water and helps preserve our forests. Recycled paper also reduces air pollution by 74% and eliminates many toxic pollutants. <br />
There are many companies producing recycled, all natural paper products. For example, the company Seventh Generation whose products can be found at many local grocery stores, including Whole Foods, makes many different types of cleaning supplies, detergents and paper products. Their paper towels are produced from 100% recycled paper (80% post-consumer, 20% pre-consumer) They are hypoallergenic, unbleached and just as strong and absorbent compared to other paper towels (www.seventhgeneration.com). Making the decision to use unbleached recycled paper towels does make a big difference. If every household in the United States replaced just one roll of their regular paper towels with a recycled roll we would save one million trees, 2.6 million cubic feet of landfill space (3,800 full garbage trucks), 367 million gallons of water (one years supply for 2800 families of four) and we would avoid 38,000 tons of pollution(www.seventhgeneration.com). <br />
Although using recycled paper is better there are other alternatives for paper towels. There is a product called Twist Euro #20 which is sold at Whole Foods for $6. It is supposed to be a cross between a sponge and a paper towel (http://casasugar.com). Twist Euro are antibacterial, you can clean them in the dishwasher, and once they have to be thrown out they are biodegradable (http://casasugar.com). This is a great alternative that is less wasteful and more environmentally friendly. <br />
Another issue that we face on a regular basis is how to choose the cleaning supplies we use. Many cleaning supplies have toxic chemicals that are toxic for humans to inhale and have detrimental effects on the environment. Bleach is commonly used as a disinfectant, in swimming pools, in laundry, etc. Bleach is used because it kills a wider variety of bacteria and viruses than other cleaners (www.shareguide.com/hazard.html). However, the production of chlorine bleach (bonding chlorine, water and sodium hydroxide) produces chlorine gas which creates a toxic byproduct known as dioxin. Dioxin is a known carcinogen that has been linked to birth defects and genetic changes. When bleach breaks down in the environment, small amounts of adsorbable organic halides or “AOX” are released which are toxic to shellfish and other marine organisms(www.shareguide.com/hazard.html). <br />
There are alternatives to bleach such as hydrogen peroxide, and quaternary ammonium compounds known as “quats.” None of these alternatives kill as wide of a range of bacteria in comparison to bleach. There is a nontoxic quat that has become available in Canada called Enviro Care Neutral Disinfectant (www.epa.gov/oppt/epp/pubs/clean/cleaning.htm). It is currently being tested in California. Bleach, although it maybe necessary at times, can be substituted and should be replaced by non-chlorine bleach or other alternatives whenever possible. <br />
Along with bleach, and other household cleaners, detergents pose a huge threat to the environment. Laundry detergent is a significant ocean polluter because it contains phosphates (www.momsorganichouse.com). Excess phosphates from our laundry detergents go into the ocean and create algae blooms. This eventually creates “dead zones,” which are anoxic spots in the water where no animals can survive (www.momsorganichouse.com). Many fishing spots and shellfish beds have been destroyed because of excess phosphates. We use 30lbs. of laundry detergent per person, per year, which calculates to 8.3 billion lbs. of dry detergent and 1 billion lbs of liquid detergent used per year in the United States (www.seventhgeneration.com). Detergents also contain artificial fragrances that are made with petroleum that does not degrade into the environment. It has toxic affects on fish and mammals. If every person in the United States substituted a 150 oz. petroleum based laundry detergent with a 150 oz all-natural, veggie-based detergent, we would save 298,000 barrels of oil per year. This is enough to heat 17,100 homes for one year (www.seventhgeneration.com). <br />
I think that the Beam Reach program uses an average number of paper towels but we do use recycled, unbleached towels. We use less cleaning supplies that the average household, especially since there is no shower to clean and we do not clean the toilets with anything but water. However, there are some issues on the boat that we cannot avoid, for instance we cannot use natural dish soap because it is ineffective in sea water. We also need to use some chemicals to clean and prevent mold from growing on the boat. I think that overall Beam Reach uses paper towels and cleaning supplies in a fairly sustainable way, however during our time at the labs, we use many more paper towels (in the bathroom), and the cleaning staff uses a lot of bleach to clean. <br />
Works Cited<br />
www.conservatree.com/paper/PaperTypes/tissuenvb.shtml<br />
www.wikipedia.org<br />
www.seventhgeneration.com<br />
www.shareguide.com/hazard.html<br />
www.epa.gov/oppt/epp/pubs/clean/cleaning.htm<br />
www.momsorganichouse.com<br />
http://casasugar.com</div>64.119.8.4http://www.beamreach.org/wiki/index.php?title=Sustainability-wiki&diff=56Sustainability-wiki2007-10-23T14:57:48Z<p>64.119.8.4: </p>
<hr />
<div>This is a place to assess and improve the sustainable practices and technologies utilized by Beam Reach.<br />
Place new information in the categories below or create a new category for your efforts. <br />
<br />
(Make sure you create an account so that we can track your contribution. Then start editing, uploading files, and reading the FAQ to learn new wiki-skills...)<br />
<br />
<br />
== Our marine home: the green ship Gato Verde ==<br />
<br />
===Energy===<br />
* a biodiesel-electric propulsion system<br />
* [[Consumption of Electricity]] (Elise Chapman, 071)<br />
* [[Biodiesel]] (Heather Hooper, 071)<br />
* propane<br />
* lamp oil<br />
* batteries<br />
* [http://beamreach.org/wiki/index.php?title=Energy_Efficiency_of_the_Gato_Verde Sustainable propulsion and energy use on the Gato Verde] (Wessal Kenaio, 071)<br />
* regeneration under sail<br />
* a wind turbine? <br />
* [[Photovoltaic panels]] (Anne Harmann, 071)<br />
* fuel cells?)<br />
<br />
===Water===<br />
* Source: Friday Harbor<br />
* Source: Roche Harbor<br />
* Source: Snug Harbor<br />
* Source: Port Angeles<br />
* Use: hydration<br />
* Use: washing (dishes)<br />
* Use: showers<br />
<br />
===Liquid waste===<br />
* grey water (sinks, showers, decks)<br />
* black water (heads, urine, feces)<br />
* [[Sewage in the sea]]<br />
* [[Cleaning Supplies and Paper Towels]] (Liz Hetherington)<br />
<br />
===Solid waste===<br />
* Trash<br />
* recycling<br />
* compost<br />
**[[Compostable plastics]] (Alex Kougantakis, 071)<br />
<br />
===Noise pollution===<br />
* Gato Verde underwater signature<br />
* Noise mitigation technologies<br />
<br />
== Our terrestrial home: Friday Harbor Labs and San Juan Island ==<br />
<br />
===Food production and choices===<br />
* Lacrover Farm<br />
* Vegetarians and carnivores<br />
* [[Carbon footprint of transporting tofu and chicken to San Juan Island]] (Sam Levinson, 071)<br />
<br />
===Water supply===<br />
* Friday Harbor Labs<br />
* Friday Harbor town<br />
* Other sources of water on San Juan Island<br />
* salt water intrusion and desalination<br />
* rain catchment<br />
<br />
===Water uses=== <br />
* showers<br />
* laundry<br />
* hydration<br />
* cooking</div>64.119.8.4http://www.beamreach.org/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:Sustainability-wiki&diff=27Talk:Sustainability-wiki2007-10-23T02:53:21Z<p>64.119.8.4: A Look into the Sustainability of Meat-based Diets and a brief Comparison to Plant-based Diets</p>
<hr />
<div>A Look into the Sustainability of Meat-based Diets and a brief Comparison to Plant-based Diets<br />
<br />
Wessal Kenaio<br />
BeamReach Marine Science and Sustainability School<br />
10/22/2007<br />
<br />
ABSTRACT Sustainability is characteristic of a practice or state that can be maintained at a certain level for an indefinite period (Wikipedia). This definition has broad implications as it relates to meat farming. In short, it means that a sustainable meat farm should be able to produce meat for an indefinite period without causing permanent damage to ecosystem health. In a broader sense, it also refers to secondary effects of non-natural meat farming caused by added hormones, degraded meat value, and the quality of life of the animals being farmed. For farms that feed their animals grain, sustainability also includes production of the grains necessary to feed the animals (or not feeding them grains at all). This article is an investigation into the sustainability of meat products. It considers whether it is possible to consume meat in a sustainable manner and briefly compares the sustainability of meat to other vegetarian options such as dairy and eggs. Finally, it offers suggestions for sustainable farming methods. <br />
<br />
INTRODUCTION<br />
In our fast paced, high population society, emphasis is often placed on eating quick, affordable meals. Unfortunately, the options associated with such dining are not always the best for our ecosystem, or our health. Over the past century, farming has become an effort which makes the words “mass production” seem trivial. High volumes of food are being produced in the cheapest possible ways. Ways that are proving detrimental to our earth. Genetically modified plants and animals have been manipulated to challenge millions of years of evolution. This combined with unnatural supplements of growth hormones and antibiotics, has agricultural animals and plants growing at alarming rates. We are using thousands of years worth of stored fossil fuel resources and adding unusual chemicals and nutrients into the environment. It is no surprise that our global ecosystem has not been able to healthily keep up with our expanding population and expanding demand for food. <br />
In light of global warming, environmental scientists and the general public alike are becoming more and more aware of the damage industrialization is having on our earth. Conservation efforts are growing to attempt to halt and possibly reverse the effects of 150 years of burning of fossil fuels. With the advent of the tractor-trailer and increasing US demands for food, agricultural farming has become a major contributing factor to global warming. Unprecedented resources have been and are currently being put into the production of our food, including limited land, water, and fossil fuel resources. The US agricultural industry requires unprecedented fossil fuel energy. Current US food production uses 50% of total domestic land area, 80% of fresh water, and 17% of fossil fuels (Pimentel et al). Fossil fuel energy input versus protein produced for animal protein in the US are as follows:<br />
<br />
Livestock and animal products Ratio of energy input to protein output<br />
Lamb 57:1<br />
Beef Cattle 40:1<br />
Eggs 39:1<br />
Swine 14:1<br />
Dairy (milk) 14:1<br />
Turkeys 10:1<br />
Broiler chicken 04:1<br />
Table 1 The fossil fuel energy input required to produce 1 kcal of animal protein (Pimentel et al)<br />
<br />
<br />
Table 2 demonstrates the grain and forage inputs per kilogram of animal protein produced (Pimentel et al.). This means that to produce 1 kg of lamb protein, 21 kg of grain and 30 kg of forage product (grass) were consumed. If grain-fed animals were fed on good-quality pasture alone, energy inputs would be reduced by approximately half, as farmers would not be relying on fossil fuels to help grow and transport grains.<br />
<br />
Livestock Grain (kg) Forage (kg)<br />
Lamb 21 30<br />
Beef Cattle 13 30<br />
Eggs 11 <br />
Swine 5.9 <br />
Turkeys 3.8 <br />
Broiler chicken 2.3 <br />
Dairy (milk) 21 30<br />
Table 2 Grain and forage inputs per kilogram of animal protein produced (Pimentel et al)<br />
<br />
If we want to preserve our earth for our future generations, we must begin to take steps to ensure more efficient methods of producing our sustenance.<br />
A question now arises: Is it possible to produce nourishment in manners that are completely sustainable? And if not, how can we maximize efficiency with regard and respect for our planet simultaneously?<br />
From an ecological perspective, agriculture can be defined as the practice of capturing solar energy, as converted to plants (or animals after consumption of those plants) and transferring that energy to people for their use (Heitschmidt et al 1996). Agricultural efficiency is the business of capturing solar energy and transferring it across trophic levels. Primary producers are those organisms (i.e. plants) which capture the energy of sunlight directly. They represent the bottom and first trophic level significant to agriculture. Primary consumers are cattle, chicken, pigs, and other animals associated with agriculture, whether it is for direct consumption of meat, or consumption of secondary products such as dairy and eggs, represent the second tier in trophic level. Finally, humans (and pets) represent the third tier in this agricultural hierarchy (Heitschmidt et al 1996). We are secondary consumers because we consume plants and animals from the previous two tiers. A food chain is the interaction of these levels. It is through the food chain that energy is converted from solar energy and transferred among different species on different levels. (Heitschmidt et al 1996).<br />
Most agricultural production today is done in the most affordable way possible. Respect is given to the quantity of food produced, not quality. Farming on a mass scale has been proven to be detrimental to our ecosystem. According to eatwild.com, mass farming results in: the introduction of large quantities of pesticides into the ecosystem, topsoil erosion, aquifer depletion, reduced genetic diversity, addition of fertilizers to soil, hormone residue, antibiotic residue, and the list goes on.<br />
The current methods of agricultural meat production allow farmers to produce more animals than their land is naturally capable of maintaining. Farms where animals graze off the land for their nutrients are inherently more sustainable as they can only support the number of animals that the land could provide for naturally. A study done by Heitschmidt et al (2004) considers the sustainability of rangeland agriculture (managed grazing). His paper suggests that managed grazing is sustainable as an option for growing animal protein on ecological, economic, and social levels. He suggests that there are four areas to consider regarding the ecological sustainability of rangeland meat production:<br />
1) Defoliation of plants<br />
2) Trampling and treading of surfaces<br />
3) Fecal and urine defecations<br />
4) Atmospheric gas changes<br />
Selective defoliation can alter competitive relationships and cause shifts in plant distribution. This can result in the proliferation of less productive and desirable plant species. The trampling of topsoil results in less roots and plant matter to absorb water and particles. This in turn causes an increase in surface water runoff and sediment production. The addition of nutrients via fecal and urine deposits alters natural nutrient cycles for the positive or negative. Finally livestock may be responsible for 15% of the worlds output of methane (CH4) (Heitschmidt et al 2004).<br />
<br />
RESULTS/ DISCUSSION<br />
Nevertheless, with proper rangeland management strategies, meat production as a product of grazing is a sustainable option (Heitschmidt). The following strategies could be considered and implemented to develop meat products sustainably:<br />
1) The need to balance efficiency of solar energy capture and harvest efficiency<br />
2) The inherent range in abiotic growing conditions over time and space (ex: seasonal and annual droughts which alter primary production)<br />
3) Managing the impacts of selective grazing<br />
To meet the above challenges, a number of tactics have been used to ensure that rangelands are properly grazed: proper stocking rates, strategic herding, fencing, water development, and various grazing systems (Heitschmidt et al 2004).<br />
Limitations of controlled grazing efforts do exist however. Economic returns prohibit employing high-cost, ecologically ameliorating management tactics (Heitschmidt 2004). There are ecological threats to sustaining rangelands as well. The invasion of noxious plants is one such threat. The continued conversion of rangeland into land for other uses such as cropland or homesteads is also a continuing threat. Finally, rangeland can be subject to desertification (primarily because of soil erosion) (Heitschmidt 2004).<br />
The social and economic sustainability of rangeland agriculture are strictly dependent on the beliefs of the society. Economic practicality in particular is dependent upon the beliefs of the society at any instant (Heitschmidt et al 2004). Despite the fact that rangeland agriculture is one of the oldest and most natural forms of agriculture known to man, general perception is that it is not environmentally appropriate (Heitschmidt et al 2004). This in turn reflects societal decisions, including those to buy meat produced on natural rangeland. <br />
As outlined by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Sustainable Agriculture and Research Education (USDA’s SARE) program to promote sustainability on farms, farmers can take several steps to farm more efficiently and sustainably. The first is in regards to the control of pests. In the past several decades pests have primarily been controlled by chemical methods. SARE’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) combines biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools to control pests in an environmentally friendly, economical way. Rotational grazing is also a management strategy employed to reduce manure buildup and reduce reliance on grains as feed. (SARE). <br />
<br />
SUSTAINABILITY AND BEAMREACH<br />
BeamReach is a school devoted to Marine Science and Sustainability. It is a forward thinking program that is devoted to teaching students about the importance of conscience decision making as related to sustainability. As stated previously in this paper, our earth’s resources are rapidly diminishing, as simultaneously is its health. In order to ensure a healthy ecosystem for generations to come it is up to us to promote healthy ways of living for ourselves and our children. Aside from teaching these concepts, BeamReach takes active steps to practice them. This paper is focused on agriculture and primarily animal-product agriculture in the United States. In order to reduce the impact we have on our ecosystem, BeamReach has adopted a policy of not consuming meat for sea portions of the program. As previously mentioned the production of a meat-based diet requires more energy than a vegetarian based diet. As such, while participating in the sea-based part of the program, each individual involved is impacting the ecosystem in a way that is less harmful than the average person. <br />
Consuming or not consuming meat is only part of the puzzle when it comes to ecosystem health. As meat is primarily produced today, it is a very unsustainable product; however, as defined above, it can be produced, and incorporated into ones diet sustainably. Whether or not BeamReach does incorporate sustainable meat products into the diets of individuals involved in the program, there are steps BeamReach can take to make the diet aspect of the program a more sustainable one. For example, BeamReach has made a conscious effort to buy the majority of its food from locally grown organic farms. This ensures less of a carbon footprint to get goods to the program; it also ensures a higher quality product, which undoubtedly has less of an impact on the ecosystem. Nevertheless, much of the food BeamReach purchases is already processed food that has traveled a long way to make it to the BeamReach table. This purchase of pre-packaged processed foods was most often made to save on time or budget. To increase sustainability BeamReach should make more of an effort to make a higher proportion of the diet fresh, local food options. As a new program, BeamReach is just starting to define what it is and what it stands for. The fact alone that it cares enough about sustainability to incorporate it into the curriculum shows that the effort and desire to be a sustainable program are already present. Tweaking the details will come with time, and I look forward to seeing what BeamReach becomes in the years to come.<br />
<br />
CONCLUSION<br />
“Properly managed grazing is ecologically sustainable” (Heitschmidt et al). The greatest challenge associated with rangeland grazing as a continued source of animal protein is the social values of our culture. The biggest threat to our ecosystem is the growing, unsustainable human population. To stop the degradation of our ecosystem we will first need to control the rate at which our population continues to increase. That is the bottom line. Our earth is clearly not in a healthy state. We need to stop the use of un-renewable, damaging resources and convert our industrialized lives into those that are clean, renewable, and sustainable. Only then will the earth begin to heal and become a healthy place for our children and grandchildren to live for generations to come.<br />
<br />
REFERENCES<br />
<br />
Exploring Sustainability in Agriculture. Brochure developed by the USDA’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education. www.sare.org or (301)-504-5230<br />
<br />
Heitschmidt, R.K., Short, R.E., Grings, E.E. 1996. Ecosystems, Sustainability, and Animal Agriculture. Journal of Animal Science 74. 1395-1405<br />
<br />
Heitschmidt, R.K., Vermeire, L.T., Grings, E.E. 2004. Is Rangeland Agriculture Sustainable? Journal of Animal Science 82. E138-E146<br />
<br />
Pimentel D., Pimentel M. 2003. Sustainability of meat-based and plant-based diets and the environment. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 78. 660-663</div>64.119.8.4http://www.beamreach.org/wiki/index.php?title=Biodiesel&diff=26Biodiesel2007-10-23T02:50:57Z<p>64.119.8.4: New page: Heather Hooper '''The Sustainable Advantages of Biodiesel''' Biodiesel is a clean burning alternative to petroleum based fuel that is biodegradable, nontoxic, and free of sulfur and arom...</p>
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<div>Heather Hooper<br />
<br />
'''The Sustainable Advantages of Biodiesel'''<br />
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Biodiesel is a clean burning alternative to petroleum based fuel that is biodegradable, nontoxic, and free of sulfur and aromatics. It can be used in any compression-ignition (diesel) engine with little or no modifications. Biodiesel can be used pure or mixed with petroleum based diesel fuels in any percentage. Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to complete the health effects testing requirements of the 1990 Clean Air Act amendments (The National Biodioesel Board). Using biodiesel substantially reduces the production of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides, which are major contributors to smog formation and ozone depletion (The National Biodiesel Board). In addition, there is a reduced production rate of sulfur oxides and sulfates, which are major components of acid rain (The National Biodiesel Board). It is also registered with the Environmental Protection Agency as a legal motor fuel to sell and distribute (The National Biodiesel Board). There are two places to purchase biodiesel on San Juan Island:<br />
Island Petroleum (Friday Harbor gas dock) Island Petroleum Services<br />
100 Front Street 315 Carter Avenue<br />
Friday Harbor, WA 98250 Friday Harbor, WA 98250<br />
<br />
'''Our Current State'''<br />
The Gato Verde uses biodiesel as its only fuel source. We have been purchasing about 35 gallons of B99 from the IPS station every week. This is a mixture of 99% pure biodiesel and 1% petroleum based diesel fuel. Island Petroleum Services picks up about 1,000 gallons of all their biodiesel, once a month from the Whole Energy’s facility in Anacortes and brings it back over to San Juan on the ferry (Charlie Myer, pers. comm.).<br />
For eight weeks aboard the Gato Verde, our average daily fuel usage was 4.53 gal/day, with a total fuel consumption of 225.6 gallons. Total weekly consumption averaged 28.2 gallons, and is shown in Figure 1.<br />
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<br />
Figure 1. The total weekly fuel usage on the Gato Verde during the eight weeks onboard.<br />
<br />
In Bellingham, Gato Verde’s port, Todd Shuster (pers. comm.) purchases his biodiesel from Whole Energy as well. Whole Energy is a wholesale, retail fuel distributor that provides biodiesel to most of the northwestern corner of Washington State. Their wholesale terminal is located in Anacortes, WA and has strong customer basis in northern King, Skagit, and San Juan counties. They are hoping to have a production facility up and running within the next 24 months in Anacortes (Joshua Clements, pers. comm.). The resources they use are varied, but their number one priority is to utilize waste vegetable oil. However, this is a limited resource, and so they also purchase in-state organically grown seed oil, and other domestically grown organic seed oil (Joshua Clements, pers. comm.). <br />
The other thing to consider is how the seed oil used is produced. Using waste vegetable oil is advantageous because it is utilizing a product that would otherwise be wasted. However, soybean oil, and other seed oils have to be processed in order to be extracted from the seeds. The process may be very energy intensive and this diminishes the gains from the clean burning of this fuel.<br />
<br />
'''How can we improve?'''<br />
The use of biodiesel is a huge step in reducing our environmental impact. However there are always ways to continue to improve. The first, and most obvious, way to reduce our environmental impact in regards to fuel usage is to decrease it. While many times the weather conditions are not conducive to sailing, or it does not meet the needs of our research goals, so we must utilize our engines as our means of transportation. Nonetheless, whenever possible, we should be taking advantage of wind power while aboard the Gato Verde.<br />
Imperium Renewables plans to build the nation’s largest biodiesel manufacturing facility in Grays Harbor, WA. It hopes to provide up to 100 million gallons per year of biodiesel made from soybeans, canola oil, and other extracts. Imperium Renewables currently owns the largest biodiesel operation in the west Seattle area, located near Safeco field. This facility’s current capacity is about five million gallons of biodiesel per year. Buying from this source, instead of Whole Energy would reduce our carbon footprint because it is a more local resource and the biodiesel would not have to be shipped across the country. However, Whole Energy may become the more local option once they have their production facility up and running.<br />
There are many different ways to produce biodiesel, and so we need to prioritize the different components when choosing our biodiesel provider. 1) They should primarily use waste vegetable oil, but this is a very limited resource, so when this runs out the best sources are: 2) Organically produced seed oil. The pesticides and other chemicals that go into producing seed oil leave a large carbon footprint as well as damaging affects to the local environment. This can overshadow the environmental cost of transportation, which does have a carbon footprint, but substantially less environmental degradation as a result of hazardous chemicals being introduced into the environment. 3) Locally produced seed oil, and then 4) domestically produced seed oil.<br />
Overall, biodiesel is a huge step forward from petroleum based fuels. The fact that it reduces harmful outputs into the environment and utilizes a renewable resource makes it a much more sustainable product for future generations. However, there are still impacts from its use and the best way to mitigate those is to manage our use of it and where we source it from.<br />
<br />
Works Cited<br />
<br />
Joshua Clements, Personal Communication<br />
Marketing Manager, Whole Energy<br />
(360) 410-9398<br />
<br />
Charlie Meyer, Personal Communication<br />
Island Petroleum Services<br />
(360) 378-4430<br />
<br />
Todd Shuster, Personal Communication<br />
Gato Verde Adventure Sailing, owner and captain<br />
(360)220-3215<br />
<br />
The National Biodiesel Board. The Official Site of the National Biodiesel Board. “faqs.” Oct 18, 2007. <www.biodiesel.org/resources/faqs/>.</div>64.119.8.4http://www.beamreach.org/wiki/index.php?title=Sustainability-wiki&diff=25Sustainability-wiki2007-10-23T02:35:00Z<p>64.119.8.4: </p>
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<div>This is a place to assess and improve the sustainable practices and technologies utilized by Beam Reach.<br />
Place new information in the categories below or create a new category for your efforts. <br />
<br />
(Make sure you create an account so that we can track your contribution. Then start editing, uploading files, and reading the FAQ to learn new wiki-skills...)<br />
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<br />
Our green ship: Gato Verde ==<br />
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Energy generation: a biodiesel-electric propulsion system<br />
Energy sources: biodiesel, propane, lamp oil, batteries, regeneration under sail<br />
(Should we have a wind turbine? Photovoltaic panels? A fuel cell?)<br />
[[Biodiesel]]<br />
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Water source(s): <br />
Water use(s): hydration, washing (dishes)<br />
Water fates: grey water<br />
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Sewage system<br />
[http://www.beamreach.org/wiki/index2.php title=Sewage in the sea]<br />
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Solid waste: Trash, recycling<br />
[[Compostable plastics]]== Compostable Plastics <br />
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Quiet underwater signature: pro driv<br />
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== Terrestrial home: Friday Harbor Labs and San Juan Island ==<br />
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Food production and choices<br />
Lacrover Farm<br />
Vegetarians and carnivores<br />
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Water supply: at FHL, on SJI, in particular neighborhoods (salt water intrusion and desalination)<br />
Water uses: showers, laundry, hydration)<br />
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Energy Efficiency of the Gato Verde<br />
The Gato Verde is the 42-foot catamaran run by Captain Todd Shuster that is used by the Beam Reach program for its boat-based hydroacoustics research of the Southern Resident orca population. The vessel employs several innovations pursuant to its mission of environmental stewardship, and in 2005 it became the first plug-in biodiesel-electric charter vessel on the West Coast. The dual 27-horsepower diesel engines were replaced by two electric motors, extra batteries, and a 10-KW biodiesel-powered generator. The batteries are charged both by the engine and the power harnessed by the sails. The use of wind by sailboats makes them a more sustainable vessel type in general, but the unique components of the Gato Verde distinguish it as especially robust and technologically advanced.<br />
The truly distinctive feature of the Gato Verde is its hybrid-electric energy system. The motors are powered by the energy generated by the engine, which stands between the motors and the battery, and can therefore charge both. Energy efficiency of the engine is higher than it was under the previous conventional system, burning half as much fuel in the same amount of time. AC power takes the place of the generator when the catamaran is plugged into a terrestrial power source. The battery power is used to propel the boat as well as to provide electricity for the house system.<br />
What makes the generator of the Gato Verde additionally sustainable is the use of biodiesel instead of petroleum-based fuel. Biodiesel is produced from any triglyceride-based oil, and while the level of carbon dioxide emitted per unit is 4.7% more by petroleum diesel, in fact the net emissions from biodiesel are less. A 1998 US government-sponsored study found that net CO2 emissions from biodiesel were 78 percent less than those of conventional diesel. The reason for this is that the oil used for the production of biodiesel is from a live plant, rather than a fossil fuel. In essence the CO2 is recycled back into plants that will be used to create more biodiesel: a closed carbon cycle.<br />
While most catamarans are either sail or engine-powered, the Gato Verde employs both means of generating energy. When wind conditions allow for the sails to be employed for quicker navigation, the role of the motor switches to that of a mechanical generator, as the wind-derived electricity spins the propeller and charges the batteries in addition to moving the boat. <br />
Beam Reach and the Gato Verde: Steps for Improvement<br />
Both the Beam Reach program itself as well as the Gato Verde can make changes to improve the sustainability of the lifestyle of the students on the boat as well as of the operation of the catamaran itself. Energy efficiency and conservation are principles that should be practiced not merely by using green technologies, but by being more conscientious about daily habits. A major issue that should continue to be discussed is that of diet and cooking on the boat. The amount of time and energy required for the cooking of certain dishes makes the frequency by which they are made something which should be considered. The propane tank had to be replaced very often during the program, and especially as the weather got cooler and hot water was constantly in demand, the galley cooking equipment was in almost constant use. Complicated dishes requiring the use of a lot of heat could be limited to just a few times a week, and simpler, less energy-intensive dishes could be served the rest of the time. This would both save propane energy as well as give the students extra time for other activities.<br />
Electrical energy use on the boat is another matter to bear in mind. Much of the time on the boat that did not directly involve data collection was spent on data analysis. This involved several hours of computer use by multiple persons, requiring the use of the inverter to provide electrical energy for power. For multiple reasons the boat is not necessarily the best setting for comprehensive data analysis, not only for the power use but because it can also be a difficult setting for to focus in. An alternative could be that more boat time should be devoted to teaching topics relating to sustainability that were taught on land this year. This saves on technology usage and is also in the spirit of sustainability on the boat. A limited amount of time could be devoted to preliminary analysis of recordings each day, for such purposes as the separation of useless recordings from those with calls. Electricity shortage was a problem once during the program, an unfortunate occurrence that emphasized why it is so important to be aware of what it actually means to turn on the inverter and plug in electrical equipment. <br />
Finally, while the Gato Verde employs wind power, biofuel and hybrid-electric energy for power and energy, additional means of sustainable energy production can be added to increase efficiency further as well as to further the comfort of the students and instructors on the boat. Captain Shuster mentioned the possibility of adding photovoltaic cells to provide an additional power source, and given the amount of sunshine encountered while the boat was active during the program, PV cells could be a significant source of additional energy. The power of the sun could also be harnessed for heating, either by using thermal masses or solar water heating, the latter of which would also be a supplement to engine heat as a source of hot water on the boat.<br />
Sustainability is a central focus of the Beam Reach program, and through lessons on sustainability as well as via the lifestyle adopted on the boat, students can learn crucial concepts and are able to put them into perspective. Continuing to update the sustainability technology, daily habits and teaching techniques within the program can all help to further the mission of the school.</div>64.119.8.4http://www.beamreach.org/wiki/index.php?title=Compostable_plastics&diff=23Compostable plastics2007-10-22T18:10:59Z<p>64.119.8.4: </p>
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<div> Biodegradable Polymers and Compostable Plastic<br />
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<br />
The average American produces 4.5 pounds of waste per day (http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/saving/recycling/solidwaste/primer.html). 9 to 12 percent (by compacted volume) of the waste in landfills is plastic (http://www.enviroliteracy.org/article.php/1268.html). Plastic is easy to produce for a huge variety of applications, is not affected by the elements and does not degrade easily. Unfortunately, the ease at which plastic is produced is at the cost of using unrenewable fossil fuels. The stability of the product and the fact that plastic is biologically inert is a beneficial property during use. After use, it is only detrimental to the environment by creating a huge amount of waste that cannot be broken down. Plastic that escapes landfills or is simply dumped into the world’s oceans has a huge effect on wildlife, usually by suffocation. <br />
Biodegradable plastics serve as an excellent alternative to most traditional plastic products. Biodegradable products have many of the pros of traditional plastics (durability and ease of production) without all of the cons. Biodegradable products are produced from renewable plant resources. Often, they are even produced from plant waste products such as the husks of corn. The major input is plant materials and the only output is compost. Biodegradable products are easy to produce and provide a durability similar to that of most plastics. The greatest benefit of biodegradable plastic is its ability to be broken down by biological processes. <br />
In 2000 the US Composting Council and the Biodegradable Products Institute created a certification program based on the ASTM Standard D 6400-99 which defines three different levels of degradable plastic:<br />
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Compostable plastic: Plastic that breaks down in a manner and time period similar to other compostable materials such as food waste and yard clippings. The plastic must disintegrate completely into CO2, water and inorganic compounds while leaving no visible toxic residues.<br />
Biodegradable: Plastic which can be broken down by natural processes including bacteria, fungi or algae. This plastic does not have to break down in a certain time period and may leave toxic residues.<br />
Degradable plastic: Plastic that undergoes some change in properties in a certain amount of time. The change in properties could be a change in shape or strength but does not specify breaking down to a certain size, time frame, or toxic remnants left behind.<br />
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The consumer should check for certification on each product that they buy. Compostable plastics break down with ease and do not require any additions to traditional composting methods. They can be added to compost pick up bins or composted at home on a small scale.<br />
Compostable plastics have been most effective at replacing traditional plastics for single use products such as cutlery and bags. For these products, the durability is not as vital and compostability is a huge benefit. When compostable cutlery is used, all waste can be composted without the need to sort and separate compostable food waste from uncompostable plastic waste. At the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, all food was served on compostable plateware with compostable cutlery. This led to 76 percent of the solid waste produced at the games being reclaimed (). <br />
At the same time, compostable plastics will not break down as they should if they are placed into a landfill. A landfill is not conducive to life and most microorganisms that would break down the plastic cannot survive there. A system should be put in place to inform the consumer that the plastic they are using is compostable and must be disposed of in a different manner than most plastic.<br />
“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that if the United States collected and composted the 21 million tons of food scraps generated annually instead of sending them to a landfill, it would have the same global warming benefits as taking 2 million cars off the road” (http://www.astm.org/SNEWS/APRIL_2001/mojo_apr01.html). While on the boat with Beam Reach, we do an excellent job at collecting compostable waste. Beam Reach produces an average of 2.03 kg of waste each day. 30.8 percent of that waste is recycled, 27.8 is composted and 41.4 goes to a landfill. Some of that waste is plastic bags and packaging. If that waste were compostable, instead of being traditional plastic less hydrocarbons would be obtained from fossil fuels to make plastic. Less waste would be taking up the unrenewable resource of space and we would emit less greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. We would be able to compost more of our waste to replace the energy and soil mass depleted from the environment during farming. <br />
Beam Reach could take the steps to purchase and use compostable plastic bags for garbage and visits to the farmers market and grocery store. For bags that could be reused many times, cloth bags would be an appropriate investment for the program.<br />
In the future, if compostable plastic packaging becomes more prevalent, Beam Reach could be conscious of the products it purchases. By making a point to purchase products packaged in compostable plastic, Beam Reach would encourage and provide incentive for more companies to use compostable plastic in packaging. <br />
Plastics are a huge part of our lives and while we cannot eliminate the use of traditional plastics, we can reduce it. By using compostable plastic for single use products such as packaging, cutlery and bags we can reduce our use of fossil fuels and reduce the amount of waste choking the environment.<br />
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<br />
For more information on compostable and biodegradable plastic products:<br />
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=compostable+plastics</div>64.119.8.4