compostable

Frito-Lay Squashes SunChips Compostable Bags
Eco

SunChips Disposes of Compostable Bag Concept

In an era when eco reigns supreme, Frito-Lay plans to cut back on what may be its most famous green effort — the SunChips 100 percent compostable bag.
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In an era when eco reigns supreme, Frito-Lay plans to cut back on what may be its most famous green effort — the SunChips 100 percent compostable bag.

A year and a half ago, the chip brand made noise when, rather than using conventional, landfill-bound, petroleum-based plastic bags, it switched to a bag made of biodegradable polymers that decompose within 12-16 weeks. But effective immediately, Frito-Lay will switch five out of six SunChips flavors back to the original bag.

The reason? Backlash over the bag's loud noise, especially from secret snackers. Although Frito-Lay is trying to develop a quieter, next-generation chip bag, for now, the only eco-friendly flavor will be the Original variety.

Are you as disappointed as I am over the fact that consumers can't get past a little noise?

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Casa Verde: BioBags
biodegradable

Casa Verde: BioBags

We talk often about ditching plastic bags in favor of resuable shopping bags and recycling whatever you can.
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We talk often about ditching plastic bags in favor of resuable shopping bags and recycling whatever you can. But, no matter how hard you work to be environmentally conscious, at the end of the day (or week), you still have to take out the trash. Someone still has to take out the trash. When that time comes, toss your trash away in BioBags, certified 100-percent biodegradable and 100-percent compostable bags, and the first "bag from corn." My dear city of San Francisco recently sent 100,000 rolls of BioBags to residents to educate them on the importance of diverting food and other biodegradable waste from entering landfills, and they're now available at over 100 outlets in the Bay Area. BioBags come as kitchen compost bags, tall-kitchen bags, lawn and leaf bags, cat-pan liners, and waste-system bags — pick your flavor. They're also available at most natural-food stores in the US, or you can order yours online.

Casa Verde: Greener Disposable Cups
cups

Casa Verde: Greener Disposable Cups

While reusable containers are always best, sometimes, when you're throwing a big party, it's hard to get around the use of disposable cups.
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While reusable containers are always best, sometimes, when you're throwing a big party, it's hard to get around the use of disposable cups. But now there's a better option.

This past weekend I attended a wedding for a bride and groom who are really eco-sensitive, so I was surprised to see plastic cups on the bar. Then the bride's mother told me that even though the cups, which were used for sparkling juice, wine, and beer, looked like plastic, they were made of corn. Since the bride and groom are already old pros at composting, they knew that there were better options than plastic for their disposable (or should I say compostable) cup needs at the wedding.


These PLA cups compost in two months, and they're reasonably priced, at 1,000 cups for around $70.

I found that the cups I used held up just as well as the plastic variety, but without any of the guilt. Just make sure not to leave these cups out in the hot sun, as they may melt or warp at high temperatures.

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