EPI launches OxoGreen – a line of Oxo-Biodegradable Plastic Products

Alternative to Plastic Bags Sparks Widespread Health Concerns

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) funded research report, ‘Assessment of the Potential for Cross Contamination of Food Products by Reusable Shopping Bags,’ has sparked intense media attention and public health concerns across the world.

Startling conclusions in the ACC report found that coliform bacteria including E.Coli were in half the bags that were tested.  The bacteria was capable of growth when stored in trunks of cars and a large amount of bacteria was found in every reusable bag but none found in new bags or plastic bags.  The study concluded that almost all consumers don’t wash their reusable bag which is the contributing factor to bacteria growth.  The study also found that hand or machine washing reduced the bacteria in reusable bags by more than 99.9%.

According to the Telegraph newspaper in the UK, “Reusable shopping bags are a threat to public health,” the popularity of reusable eco-friendly shopping bags has soared in Britain much like the US. Tests on shoppers’ bags revealed half contained traces of E.coli, a lethal toxin which killed 26 people in Scotland in 1996 in one of the world’s worst food poisoning outbreaks.  Scientists also found many were contaminated with salmonella. American TV station ABC also reports on this debated topic with the following video, “Are Bacteria in your reusable shopping bag??”

Not only do reusable bags contribute to potential health risks, they’re heavier and consume more volume than plastic bags which require more trucks to transport and increases the harmful greenhouse gas emissions within our environment.  Eventually a reusable bag will enter the landfill and due to their density they take up greater landfill space than plastic bags.  During the degradation process, reusable bags such as cotton/jute bags produce methane in the landfill.  Jute bags are made out of fertilized crops that deplete our natural resources as they require water and energy resources to fertilize these crops.   The Plastics and Rubber Weekly (PRW) publication reported in November of 2009 concerns raised from the UK Carrier Bag Consortium (CBC):  During the manufacturing process, Jute and cotton bags are dipped in paraffin/petroleum before leaving for the UK to kill the eggs of parasites which lay in the rolls of raw material in un-sanitised storage conditions. The CBC also brought to light about the working age, conditions, hygiene, air quality and many other aspects of the jute industry which has been reported by the national media.

The debate surrounding carrier bag alternatives can be quite confusing for the average person who really just want to do the right thing.  Not to mention the abundance of greenwashing claims from brands we trust.  In order to truly reduce our environmental impact while not posing additional health risks to our loved ones and ourselves; one really needs to do their homework to consider all factors when choosing what carrier bag you’re going to carry home from your grocery store.

Before you bet all your chips…a look at Frito-Lay’s packaging case

Without a doubt, packaging plays a critical role in how a company positions itself in the marketplace and ultimately determines how they’re perceived by consumers.   Global environmental issues are quite often examined by the media and companies are now finding themselves competing to offer green and sustainable consumer packaging to maintain and grow their market share. 

It comes as no surprise that a reputable, well known company such as Frito-Lay would seize this opportunity to market their SunChips Compostable Bag.  Sterling Anthony, a consultant specializing in strategic marketing, logistics and packaging addressed several key issues now facing the team at Frito-Lay: The case of the compostable chip package.  At the centre of Frito-Lays’ issues is the marketing communication which clearly identifies SunChips as “compostable.”

Are You Supporting Greenwashing and Don’t Even Know It?

Due to the recent rise in consumer demands for sustainable products, manufacturers and marketers are jumping on the latest trend in consumer product marketing to entice customers to buy their products. 

However, what most consumers don’t realize is that we are all being subjected to “Greenwashing” – a term describing the act of misleading consumers concerning the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service.  TerraChoice Environmental Marketing, a North American environmental marketing firm, completed a study called “The 7 Sins of Greenwashing” which reported on the environmental claims made on products carried at “big box” stores throughout North America.  View recent 2009 study here: The 7 Sins of Greenwashing 

EPI’s TDPA™ Technology Integrated in Vancouver 2010 Plastic Garbage Bags

For the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, the City of Vancouver selected EPI Environmental Technologies Inc. to provide oxo-biodegradable plastic bags as an environmental and secure alternative to metal garbage cans. The City of Vancouver chose EPI’s technology as they wanted a clear plastic bag which would have a positive environmental effect after the Winter Games.