My Knowledge

Published June 02, 2008

General News

China Ban On Free Plastic Bags Takes Effect June 1st

China will become the latest country to ban free plastic bags on June 1st, part of a government-led campaign to cut down on waste and help the environment. The nationwide measure that goes into effect Sunday eliminates the flimsiest bags and forces stores to charge for others. The China Plastics Processing Industry Association estimates the measure will reduce the amount of plastic bags used by a third from 1.6 million tons a year. ...Associated Press Online, 5.30.2008
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Ontario’s Liquor Control Board To Ban Plastic Bags At It's Stores

Ontario wants to lead by example when it comes to protecting the environment by having government-owned liquor stores across the province stop using plastic bags. A provincewide ban on the use of plastic bags by all retailers is not expected, but the government hopes that stores follow the Liquor Control Board’s example and voluntarily phase out plastic bags in favour of paper bags or reusable cloth carriers. ...The Canadian Press , 5.27.2008
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EDITORIAL: North Carolina Bill To Recycle Plastic Bags Is Unnecessary

Lawmakers have filed a bill requiring retailers in North Carolina to provide a plastic bag recycling program. The Star newspaper’s editorial board believes that not every good idea ought to become state law. The newspaper hopes that the bill never sees the light of day, and that the paper that the bill is printed on is properly disposed of, in a recycling bin. ...The Star, 5.26.2008
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New Technology

German Box Maker Develops RFID-Equipped, Recycled Plastic Pallets

In today's high-tech market, the wooden pallet is something of an anomaly: the unheralded backbone of the world's shipping and delivery networks is still a rough bunch of nailed-together slats. A German company known as Smartflow Deutschland is hoping to change that. The firm has developed an RFID-equipped pallet made of a proprietary recycled plastic that is compatible with wood pallet-oriented warehouse systems. Weighing less than 20 pounds, it can handle loads heavier than a ton. ...RFID Journal, 5.29.2008
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On Tap: Reducing Plastic Bottle Use

Takoma Park has become one of the first cities in the Washington, D.C. region to ban the use of city funds to buy small plastic bottles of water for government offices and city events. Instead, officials will encourage people to use recyclable containers or drink from fountains or large coolers. Officials with the International Bottled Water Association said such actions may draw headlines but fail to address underlying environmental issues. ...Washington Post, 5.29.2008
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Business

Tough Plastic RFID Tag Strikes Oil

Merrick Systems is providing an embedded RFID tag for oil drilling that it says is more rugged than other RFID tags, both in its ability to withstand high and low temperatures, as well as its adherence to the drill pipes as they are exposed to rotation, pressure, heat, abrasion and various chemicals in oil wells. The tags are encased in Victrex Peek polymers to withstand extremely high temperatures. Not all plastics are chemical resistant and able to sustain the high temperatures found in oil wells. ...RFID Journal, 5.23.2008
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Whitepapers

Incentive Based Recycling

By Ron Gonen, Recycle Bank
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RFID Sensor Based Network

By Pete Efstathiou, Fast Heat Inc.
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