Green Pride, Green Products | Speaking Intelligently about 'Green'

Speaking Intelligently About "Green"

72% of consumers do not know plastic comes from oil: -Plastic represents 2 million barrels of oil used per day = 10% of US oil consumption
40% of consumers think plastic naturally biodegrades - it does not: -12% of America's landfills are plastic items = 60 billion pounds per year
-Only 6% is recovered (recycled or burned)
The ECO-Products line is environmentally-preferred to other disposables for two primary reasons:: 1. Products are created from Renewable Resources.
2. Products are commercially Compostable.

Biodegradable: <-Products & items that break down into elements found in nature.
-No certifications available.
Compostable: -Products that will break down into soil or other organicmatter, in short time periods (generally 30-120 days) under certain conditions (usually heat, moisture and movement). If composted, the products decrease our waste-stream - less waste goes to landfills.
-Certifications include: OK! Compost, ASTMD 6400, BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute), individual compost facilities.
Pre-consumer: -Leftover waste from manufacturing (mill scraps).
Post-consumer: -Items that have been used, and are returned through a recycling program (newspapers, copy paper)
Recyclable: -Products that can be reused, reconditioned, or remanufactured into another product.
Recycled: -Products that are created from material that has been recycled.
Renewable Resources: -Materials that naturally regenerate, or can be grown, in short periods of time.
-Example: corn & sugarcane - both take only 12-18 months to grow to full maturity.
-Other disposables are created from Non-Renewable Resources, like petroleum, oil and fossil fuels.

Myth: PLA will deplete the nation's corn supply: Fact: When operating at full capacity, NatureWorks (the sole producer of PLA in the US) uses less than .1% of the nation's supply of corn
Myth: The price of PLA will increase significantly with the price of corn: Fact: The price of PLA has increased by only 10-15% per year over the past 4 years. The price of petrochemical plastics has increased over 20% per year. Oil is at a record high!
Myth: Environmental products are more expensive: Fact: Although there are a few products that are more expensive than their conventional counterparts, most of our eco-products are less expensive or priced within 10%. The exception is when compared to styrofoam.
Myth: "Biodegradable" products disintegrate in landfills: Fact: If disposed of in an active landfill, the products will biodegrade. However, the majority of landfills are closed landfills without proper conditions for biodegradation. ECO-products is working on finding better and easier ways for consumers to compost. The main benefit of these products is that they are made from renewable resources, and not oil.