Growing compostable plastic bag use

Via Green Chemicals

Confusion might still lingers on what bioplastics really mean but their use is definitely growing.

In the compostable bag sector, SunChips maker Frito Lay announced that they are going to launch in 2010 the world's first fully compostable chip bag of its kind, with the bag fully decomposing within 14 weeks - when placed in a compost bin or pile. See the video below!

The company will use NatureWorks polylactic acid plastic Ingeo (usually made from corn) in the packaging's outer print web film and inner barrier web film. The adhesive layer gluing the two films together will be made with other "also" eco-friendly material.

Frito Lay said it did not replace all the materials with PLA as there is currently not enough PLA supply available at this time and there are still work needed to maintain the packaging's quality. The company, by the way, also explains the difference between degradable, biodegradable, compostable and renewable plastics.

Meanwhile, KMart in Australia last month said that they are going to use bioplastic shopping bags for their 12 stores in South Australia using Cardia Technologies Limited's Biograde compostable bags. South Australian Government's ban on plasticcheckout bags takes effect on 4 May 2009.

In Minnesota, the state's Department of Administration, Materials Management Division picked Northern Technologies International's Natur-Tec(r) Compostable Plastic Bags for various state agencies' use.

In addition, under Minnesota's Cooperative Purchasing Venture (CPV), entities such as counties, cities, townships, school districts, charitable organizations and community clinics are also eligible to procure Natur-Tec(r) compostable plastic bags from NTIC at the prices and terms negotiated with the State.

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