natureworks

[NatureWorks] is the leading manufacturer of 100% sustainable packaging. The company uses a technology that turns corn starch into a clear plastic called polylactide (PLA). Natureworks PLA can be shaped into bottles, (par example BIOTA), containers, trays, film and other packaging. It not only is uber-environmentally friendly compared to the widely used petroleum-based plastic containers (PET), but also cost-effective. PLA packages are compostable when they disintegrate under high heat after 75 days, while it could take 1,000 years for a PET bottle to break down, per the Biodegradable Products Institute, New York.

Natureworks partnerships include Wild Oats, Newman’s Own, Mrs. Fields, Del Monte and Wal-Mart. Indeed, a study conducted by Wal-Mart prior to its first product launch showed that by replacing packaging on just four items (about 100 milions PETs annually) with PLAs, it could save the equivalent of 800,000 gallons of gasoline and prevent more than 11 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions from polluting the air. That’s the stats for 4 items, imagine how many more green savings are in the pipeline….NatureWorks: working with nature for you.