Biodegradable Packaging and your Local Brewery
Biodegradable Packaging and your Local Brewery
by Greg Lambert, Founding Board Member & S.A.V.E. Recycler
Plastic packaging and containers are a part of everyday life in the modern world. However, this technology has many pitfalls, notably that plastics are petroleum-based and non-biodegradable. Fortunately new plastics technology is emerging that combats these environmental problems. Much like the emerging market for biofuels that helps to power an ever-growing number of today’s vehicles, plastics are being produced from common everyday crops, such as corn and soybeans. Here in Helena, The S.A.V.E. Foundation is actively promoting products that are derived from this new generation of plastics.
Lewis and Clark Brewing Co., a local brewery, has recently started using “photodegradable” carriers derived from vegetable crops to hold their six packs of beer on store shelves. These carriers, made by packaging company ITW Hi-Cone, break down when exposed to direct sunlight. Because they are able to biodegrade quickly, they pose less threat to the environment and produce less waste product than traditional beverage containers. While these carriers are currently used for plastic bottles of water and soda, Lewis and Clark is the first brewery in the country to use this technology to hold beer bottles.
“It is very exciting to see a local company investing in sustainable packaging, to go along with their prior commitment to reusable growlers,” says to S.A.V.E. Executive Director, Matthew Elsaesser.
S.A.V.E. has promoted compostable plastics by using biodegradable cups to serve beer and other beverages in at S.A.V.E. events such as “Earth Day 2006.” These cups are produced by Fabri-Kal, which has developed the promising NatureWorks™ plastic. The plastic is produced by fermenting and separating the sugars in corn to produce lactic acid. This plastic has the potential to replace petroleum-based plastics in a number of applications, including: packaging, films, apparel, fabrics and carpets. In Helena you can currently purchase compostable plastic items, such as cups, bowls, and eating utensils at the Real Food Market. Check it out!
by Greg Lambert, Founding Board Member & S.A.V.E. Recycler
Plastic packaging and containers are a part of everyday life in the modern world. However, this technology has many pitfalls, notably that plastics are petroleum-based and non-biodegradable. Fortunately new plastics technology is emerging that combats these environmental problems. Much like the emerging market for biofuels that helps to power an ever-growing number of today’s vehicles, plastics are being produced from common everyday crops, such as corn and soybeans. Here in Helena, The S.A.V.E. Foundation is actively promoting products that are derived from this new generation of plastics.
Lewis and Clark Brewing Co., a local brewery, has recently started using “photodegradable” carriers derived from vegetable crops to hold their six packs of beer on store shelves. These carriers, made by packaging company ITW Hi-Cone, break down when exposed to direct sunlight. Because they are able to biodegrade quickly, they pose less threat to the environment and produce less waste product than traditional beverage containers. While these carriers are currently used for plastic bottles of water and soda, Lewis and Clark is the first brewery in the country to use this technology to hold beer bottles.
“It is very exciting to see a local company investing in sustainable packaging, to go along with their prior commitment to reusable growlers,” says to S.A.V.E. Executive Director, Matthew Elsaesser.
S.A.V.E. has promoted compostable plastics by using biodegradable cups to serve beer and other beverages in at S.A.V.E. events such as “Earth Day 2006.” These cups are produced by Fabri-Kal, which has developed the promising NatureWorks™ plastic. The plastic is produced by fermenting and separating the sugars in corn to produce lactic acid. This plastic has the potential to replace petroleum-based plastics in a number of applications, including: packaging, films, apparel, fabrics and carpets. In Helena you can currently purchase compostable plastic items, such as cups, bowls, and eating utensils at the Real Food Market. Check it out!
posted by biomtadmin at 3:57 PM
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