Wine is a beverage enjoyed for its flavor, aroma, and complexity. However, it can sometimes be affected by a defect that can completely ruin the experience: TCA. It is essential to reduce our carbon footprint to effectively curb global warming and its serious consequences, including the negative influence on human health. Although reducing carbon footprint is everyone’s responsibility, companies should lead by example, beyond merely complying with regulations. Companies that decrease greenhouse gas emissions contribute to the sustainability and conservation of the planet.
Recycling in Spain
Recycling has experienced significant growth in Spain in recent years. Selective waste collection and recycling containers are increasingly widespread throughout the country, facilitating the process of separating different materials such as plastics, glass, paper and cardboard, metals, or organic matter for subsequent reuse. One of the reasons for the increase in selective waste collection is the greater public awareness of the importance of recycling. The clean points that have been implemented facilitate the collection of bulkier or hazardous waste that cannot be deposited in regular containers, both by individuals and companies. However, recycling rates for some materials such as plastics are still improvable. Companies are capable of requesting more specific recycling containers if they generate large volumes of waste of a single type, such as PET bottles. It is important that they properly classify their waste to facilitate the entire subsequent process.
Plastic Issues
Plastics are highly versatile materials used in all sectors. There is a wide variety of plastic types such as PET, PVC, PE, PP, PS, each with different characteristics and properties useful for manufacturing all kinds of products. However, their production using petroleum derivatives, and poor end-of-life management can cause serious environmental problems. A large portion of plastics end up in landfills or directly in the environment due to their low recycling rate. Their major problem is that they can take hundreds of years to degrade due to their characteristics as thermoset materials. Plastic waste persists for decades, contaminating soils and oceans. There is a large garbage island called the “plastic continent” floating in the sea, which is three times larger than the surface area of France. A current solution is to promote more sustainable alternatives such as biodegradable plastics, although their use is not as widespread as petroleum derivatives.
Recycling of Synthetic Materials
Plastic recycling presents difficulties because there are many different types of polymers that require different recycling processes. Additionally, plastics are combined with other materials, such as paper and cardboard, in packaging, which complicates their separation. Recycling synthetic materials is completely essential to reduce carbon footprint and move towards a circular economy. Definitely, companies can and should collaborate in sorting and separating the plastic waste they generate.
Recycling Characteristics
- Reduces the consumption of virgin raw materials by using recycled material.
- Decreases the energy required in extraction and production processes.
- Significantly lowers pollutant emissions.
- Gives materials a second life, extending their usage cycle.
- Slows down waste accumulation.
For all these reasons, recycling is a key component in advancing towards a more sustainable circular economy and reducing carbon footprint.
Carbon Footprint
We will now discuss everything surrounding the carbon footprint, its importance for the environment, and how companies must reduce it to comply with increasingly strict regulations.
Carbon Footprint in Companies
Companies are increasingly aware of the need to measure and reduce their carbon footprint, that is, the total greenhouse gas emissions generated directly or indirectly. Companies must be aware of their carbon footprint and establish reduction and compensation plans.
Mandatory Carbon Footprint Reduction in Companies
Currently, calculating and registering the carbon footprint is mandatory for companies that exceed certain thresholds of energy consumption, workforce, or business volume in various sectors in Spain. It is expected that this obligation will extend to more sectors over time to drive decarbonization.
How to Reduce Carbon Footprint
Some measures to reduce carbon footprint in companies include:
- Promoting sustainable transportation for employees and goods, through collective transport or eco-friendly vehicles.
- Improving energy efficiency in buildings and production processes.
- Using renewable energies such as solar or wind power.
- Reducing, reusing, and properly recycling generated waste.
- Offsetting residual emissions through CO2 absorption processes.
- Using low-carbon materials and energy.
Biodegradable Materials
Biodegradable and compostable materials (derived from corn, for example) are one of the best eco-friendly alternatives to conventional petroleum-derived plastics. Since they can naturally degrade, they do not generate permanent waste or pollution.
Non-Toxic, Biodegradable Material
There are innovative materials that, in addition to being biodegradable, are non-toxic and free of other contaminants. For example, plastics derived from cornstarch, yucca, and other plants. These biodegradable synthetic materials reduce waste persistence and carbon footprint.
Premium Cork Stoppers
The premium stoppers from Excellent Cork are made from renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable materials. Being completely compostable, Excellent Cork stoppers help reduce carbon footprint. They are the ideal choice for sectors committed to sustainability and the circular economy. Our stoppers combine sustainability, high quality, and excellent performance.
