Among the many educational sessions at this year’s Sustainable Packaging Coalition Spring Meeting was a presentation on the latest developments of the USDA BioPreferred Program.
Created by the 2002 Farm Bill and expanded in the 2008 Farm Bill, BioPreferred is a federally administered and run program that encourages the use and purchase of renewable, environmentally-friendly bio-based products while providing green jobs and new markets for farmers, product manufacturers, packaging suppliers, and other vendors.
The program encourages the use of biobased products through two avenues: a federal procurement preference program, with an extensive bioibased product database, and a voluntary labeling program.
More than 4,500 products and 1,000 companies are represented in the BioPreferred database, including 80-plus BioPreferred designated packaging products such as films, labels, sleeves, shrink wraps, packing wraps and tamper-evident bands. Federal agencies and the general public can access the database via the BioPreferred website at www.biopreferred.gov
The database is complemented by the USDA training and tools webpages, which are written to help vendors and buyers evaluate the green attributes of products. Additionally, the agency aims to make bio-based product information more accessible to the general public through a voluntary labeling program, in which manufacturers will be allowed to use the BioPreferred logo on qualified products or packaging.
The agency also is developing process to assess bio-based products based on life cycle analysis.
Teledyne DALSA is a world leader in the design, manufacture and deployment of digital imaging components for the machine vision market. Teledyne DALSA image sensors, cameras, smart cameras, frame grabbers, software, and vision solutions are used...
more
SATO is a pioneer and leading global provider of integrated Automatic Identification and Data Collection solutions that leverage barcode and RFID technologies. SATO manufactures innovative, reliable auto-identification systems and offers complete...
more
ECONOCORP, INC. is a leading worldwide manufacturer of ECONOSEAL cartoning, trayforming, and casepacking caters to moderate volume users and features simplicity in design, operation, and maintenance. ECONOSEALS handle paperboard and corrugated...
more
QuickLabel Systems makes and sells digital color label printers and barcode label printers for use by manufacturers of foods, beverages, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and more...
more
Bosch Packaging Technology, Inc. is one of the world's leading suppliers of packaging machinery. Our diverse portfolio of packaging machines, including the well known Doboy brand, includes robotic automation with pick & place robots (delta robots)...
more
Hitachi America Ltd., Industrial Components & Equipment Division, supplies a broad range of industrial products and services. The division supplies sophisticated industrial equipment, components and services for application in pharmaceutical...
more
Markem-Imaje is a trusted world manufacturer of product identification and traceability solutions, offering a full line of reliable and innovative inkjet, thermal transfer, laser, print and apply label systems and RFID-based systems. Markem-Imaje...
more
Videojet is a world-leading manufacturer of marking systems, fluids, and accessories for the product identification industry. Videojet printers apply high-quality alphanumeric codes, logos and graphics to nearly any surface at virtually any line...
more
Fogg is a world leader in the design and manufacture of rotary filling, rinsing, capping and enclosure systems for free flowing and viscous liquids. Fogg serves a growing number of dairy, spirits, water, food and beverage, pharmaceutical and...
more
Markem-Imaje is a trusted world manufacturer of product identification and traceability solutions, offering a full line of reliable and innovative inkjet, thermal transfer, laser, print and apply label systems and RFID-based systems. Markem-Imaje...
more
Microscan develops barcode and machine vision products that help manufacturers reduce costs, increase yields, improve product quality, and comply with regulations. Designed for precision applications, Microscan's line of 1D and 2D barcode readers...
more
National Bulk Equipment dry material handling systems for packaging and processing operations, include: bulk bag fillers, bulk bag unloaders, bulk container dumpers, bulk container fillers, and bulk mixing, weighing, and conveyance systems. NBE...
more
Plastic Ingenuity is the national leader in providing the best solutions in thermoformed packaging, tooling and extrusion services. A member of the Thermoforming Institute, and a multi-plant manufacturing operation with facilities across North...
more
Thermo Scientific Product Inspection and Processing equipment protects your brands by ensuring the quality, accuracy, efficiency and safety of your products. With more than 50 years of making sure little things don't turn into big problems, we know...
more
DOMINO is one of the world's largest manufacturers of digital printing solutions and is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange. Our products are used for date coding, product marking, serialization and variable printing. Among our customers...
more