Biodegradable Plastic Bottles Case Study

THE LATEST ADVANCEMENT IN PET PLASTIC BOTTLES

BIO-TEC ENVIRONMENTAL Breaks barrier, creates biodegradable plastics

BIO-

DEGRADABLE FIN D IN G V IA B LE B IOD E GR A D A B LE B OTTLE S OLU TI O NS

7 GOLDEN RULES

REAL LIFE EXPERIENCES FROM BOTTLE COMPANIES “ECOPURE BRINGS DYNAMIC CHANGE TO THE INDUSTRY AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, POSITIVELY AFFECTS THE ENVIRON-

TO CHOOSING A BIODEGRADABLE PLASTIC BOTTLE

1. Biodegradability backed by recognized standards board testing – organizational certifications are not adequate. 2. Verify all test data – obtain copies of all test results and review them carefully. 3. Recyclability – any impact on the existing recycling stream? 4. Product end of life – will the bottle be disposed of in the environment required for biodegradation? 5. Special handling – are there changes to the shelf-life, color, strength, melt temp, etc? 6. Conversion costs – does it require special equipment? 7. Ask lots of questions – be cautious with companies who leave questions unanswered or don’t provide supporting data.

Bottled water companies have been hit hard by the damaging effects of plastics in the environment. Many bottlers that are looking for earthfriendly solutions, are finding it difficult to sort through the various “green” packaging options. We follow several innovative companies as they sort through the confusion to find cost effective, practical solutions for biodegradable packaging. Many companies are seeking to take advantage of the recent scientific advances in green products to address environmental concerns. AQUAMANTRA founder and president, Alexandra Teklak, has been on a comprehensive search since her company’s inception to find a bottle that complements her brand, and meets the needs of consumers and retail partners who want environmental solutions. She strongly believes that consumers are entitled to choices that include easy opportunities to be Earth-friendly. “I didn’t want to find just any solution – I wanted to find a solution that worked for everyone,” said Teklak. AQUAMANTRA consultants and advisors investigated many alternatives, including PLA (cornstarch) bottles, and found that it wasn’t a viable solution for the public. “The reality is that water has to be packaged in a bottle that will not disintegrate on the store shelf, and that’s an issue with the PLA bottle,” said Teklak. “We investigated the ‘Oxo-degradables’, but there were ‘big ifs’ surrounding it, such as an adequate amount of exposure to sunlight for degradation and plastic fragmentation.” PLA (corn plastic) has many challenges to overcome before becoming a viable alternative.

The excitement that once surrounded the plastic has given way to unfulfilled expectations. The bottles are not shelf stable, gas transmission rates are high, cannot be recycled and inadequate composting facilities leave a questionable end of life solution. Oxo-degradables are plastics with an additive that causes fragmentation of the plastic when exposed to UV light and oxygen. There is quite a bit of debate over the use of heavy metals and metal ions in Oxo-degradables and there are serious concerns about fragmented plastic in the environment.

“I didn’t want to find just any solution – I wanted to find a solution that worked for everyone,” Finally, AQUAMANTRA found ENSO Bottles with EcoPure™, the latest scientific advance in biodegradable PET plastic bottles. ENSO bottles biodegrade in aerobic and anaerobic environments and can be recycled along with standard PET. ENSO bottles have the same physical properties as standard PET and do not fragment, degrade, or break down from environmental conditions such as UV, moisture or oxygen. ENSO bottles are also a very cost effective solution. ENSO bottles have the same properties as traditional PET during manufacture and on the shelf (no extra equipment expenses or limited shelf.)

Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Bio-Tec Environmental was founded in 2003 by company president John Lake and Samuel Adams. They continue to break barriers once thought to be impregnable. The entire focus of their extensive research and development is to manufacture additives that will make all plastics biodegradable in all applications. Their goal is a world where plastic materials once again return to the cycle of life. EcoPure in both its’ forms not only eliminates a problem with plastics -- their synthetic nature that prevents them from biodegradation -- but creates benefits as well in the form of Co2 or methane (fuel) and humus (soil additive) when those plastics are placed in microbial-rich envi-

ronments. EcoPure is compatible with all petroleum based polymers, has been proven through extensive testing to make plastic biodegradable when discarded in a landfill or compost facility, and is perfectly safe for food and drug packaging, meeting all requisite FDA standards. EcoPure’s biodegradable plastic additive is manufactured in the United States. You can learn more about the company at http://www.bio-tec.biz. Bio-Tec Environmental, LLC 7009 Prospect Ave NE #202 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110 USA Tel: 505-999-1160

MENT,” SAMUEL ADAMS, VP BIO-TEC ENVIRONMENTAL

GoodPac Plastics, a bottle blower, found the ENSO bottles a welcome and easy transition; “Our customers and consumers have been asking for an environmentally friendly plastic bottle. We provide them with the world’s first truly biodegradable plastic water bottle,” said Jim Goodwin, President of GoodPac Plastics. “By adding the environmentally friendly ENSO bottle, not only do we continue to offer excellent quality products and superior service, we are doing our part to help to encourage bottle recycling and effectively eliminating plastic bottle waste,” said Goodwin.

ENSO Bottles are created using EcoPure™, an additive manufactured by Bio-Tec Environmental designed to make polymers biodegradable. EcoPure is widely recognized in the plastics industry to render petroleum based polymers biodegradable and is currently used on many name brand products. Through ENSO Bottles, a special formulation of EcoPure is now available to the PET bottle industry.

Consumers, bottlers and manufacturers now have a choice, and can demand the ENSO bottle, a biodegradable bottle that is better for the environment. When you pick up a plastic bottle and see the ENSO “Bottles for a Healthier Earth” logo, you will know that the bottle biodegrades and you are making a choice for a healthier earth.

“Be cautious with companies who leave questions unanswered and do not provide supporting data.” TM

Other companies are also moving to the ENSO bottles, Native Waters, LLC, a company founded to provide sustainable product solutions to the beverage industry, found ENSO bottles to be the best environmental solution available. “Our goal is to provide the healthiest and highest quality natural spring water with a minimal carbon footprint,” said Rodger Cohen, VP of Native Waters.

ENSO bottles have been validated through third party laboratories for compliance with ASTM standards for both biodegradation and recycling. Results prove ENSO bottles with EcoPure™ biodegrade through natural microbial digestion and all recycling results meet industry specifications. In addition, ENSO Bottles has worked with independent recycling companies validating that ENSO bottles have no adverse effects on the recycling stream.

“By combining our locally sourced water with the ENSO earth-friendly, biodegradable bottles, we are taking a step forward in the battle to stop plastic containers from filling our waterways, streets, and landfills,” said Cohen.

“This is welcome news to retailers and consumers who have felt the pressure from environmental groups and consumers, who are concerned about exploding landfills bulging with non-recyclablecompostable plastics.”

For more information on ENSO Bottles™ made with EcoPure™, please contact an ENSO Bottles™ sales representative or visit us on the web. ENSO Bottles, LLC 1500 East Bethany Home Road Suite #120 Phoenix, AZ 85014 Tel: 866-936-3676 Visit our Website: www.ensobottles.com