Do feed bags make climate change?

[Kenya Mwangi]

Hello Does anyone have information about the factories that make the bags for chicken feed? What I mean is the bags that you buy at Tractor Supply or the feed store that holds the feed in it that you take home and when it is empty you throw it away or burn it or give it back to be used again. Who makes them and what kind of carbon footprint is this manufacturing leaving?

I am thinking about all the herbicides sprayed on feed ingredients and what they are doing to the air, soil, and water, and then on top of that, what about the factories and carbon they produce to make the herbicides and the factories that make the plastic containers to hold the herbicides. I don't want to be part of it because I am sick and tired of poison and poison on the ground we need to grow healthy food.

But just today when I was trying to open a bag of organic feed, I thought of that what if this bag isn't made organically? Am I really getting organic feed to be healthy? Or is the bag manufacturing process unhealthy and negating the organic definition of my feed contained therein?

If you have any information for me to read, I am thankful for it. Please only reply if you have helpful information. Please don't reply if you only want to argue.

 

[Kiki]

Your concerns about the environmental impact of packaging for chicken feed are valid and important considerations for anyone passionate about sustainability and organic practices. Finding detailed information about the manufacturing processes for feed bags and their carbon footprint can be challenging, as this information is not always readily available from manufacturers.

However, there are a few points to consider:

1. Manufacturers: Many feed bags are produced by packaging companies that supply various agricultural products. The specific companies vary depending on the region and the brand of feed you purchase. Tractor Supply and local feed stores typically source their products from larger manufacturers who specialize in agricultural packaging.
2. Environmental Impact: The manufacturing of plastic bags does have an environmental footprint, including carbon emissions and potential impacts on air, soil, and water. This includes the production of raw materials (like plastics) and the energy-intensive processes involved in manufacturing and transportation.
3. Organic Certification: For organic feed products, the USDA organic certification applies to the feed contents, ensuring that they meet organic standards regarding sourcing and production practices. However, organic certification does not typically extend to the packaging materials themselves. It's a valid concern whether the packaging aligns with your environmental and health values.
4. Alternative Solutions: Some farms and environmentally conscious consumers explore alternatives such as reusable containers or bulk purchasing options to reduce packaging waste. Exploring these options may align better with your sustainability goals.
5. Further Research: To get more specific information, contacting feed manufacturers directly or researching their sustainability initiatives and packaging practices could provide insights. Additionally, looking into organizations or publications focused on sustainable agriculture and packaging might offer helpful resources.

I understand your desire for constructive information, and I hope these points offer some clarity. If you have more specific questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask.

 

[Kenya Mwangi]

. Tractor Supply and local feed stores typically source their products from larger manufacturers who specialize in agricultural packaging.

Hello Yes please I have more specific questions. Do you know the name of the larger manufacturers of agricultural packaging? Where do all of these bags come from?

 

[Kiki]

Here are some:

https://www.thomasnet.com/suppliers/usa/feed-bags-2571602

 

[Kiki]

Here too:
https://hubcoinc.com/viewproducts/cat-agricultural-bags

 

[Kiki]

Another:
https://sandkpackaging.com/all-about-animal-feed-bags/

 

[Kiki]

AND lastly:
https://www.southernpackaginglp.com/wildlife-feed-bags

 

[Kenya Mwangi]

Another:
https://sandkpackaging.com/all-about-animal-feed-bags/

Hello Thank for this. This is what I was trying to find. Polypropelene woven bags and BOPP. This is the same industry I think is from petroleum production.

 

[Kenya Mwangi]

Hello Thank for this. This is what I was trying to find. Polypropelene woven bags and BOPP. This is the same industry I think is from petroleum production.

Hello Yes my assumption was correct.


https://www.acs.org/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/polypropylene.html

Phillips Petroleum Company in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, entered the plastics business in 1951, following a discovery by researchers J. Paul Hogan and Robert L. Banks. The two researchers found the catalyst that would transform ethylene and propylene into solid polymers. The plastics that resulted — crystalline polypropylene and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) — are now the core of a multibillion-dollar, global industry.

I think there is no escape from plastics. I think I will try to escape from it.

Do you Kiki also know of links to the factories that make polypropylene?

 

[Kenya Mwangi]

@Kiki do you have any links for polypropylene production and if they make climate change for me to read? Ai is okay to use too if it helps you write your response.

Also, how do I get a BYC Friend badge? I see you have one. What did you have to do to get that? I am friendly.