Why Eco? | Eco-Express

Organic waste no ‘load of rubbish’

There’s a saying that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and in Steve Rickerby’s case, this couldn’t be more true. His company, We Compost, collects organic waste from cafes and other businesses around Auckland which is then turned into compost used by local farmers and growers.

Why switch to 100% compostable eco-products?

Now, more than ever, you and your customers will be aware of environmental issues and concerns.

The Eco-Express range offers products that are 100% biodegradable and compostable, recyclable and annually-renewable.

By switching to the quality products in our range, you can be assured that you are making a positive difference to the environment.

So what are the differences between conventional petroleum-based plastic and the Eco-Express range of products?

Biodegradable and Compostable Certification:

This Certification is perhaps the most important difference between many plant and petroleum-based products.

When we indicate that an Eco-Express product is "biodegradable" and "compostable", we can show you the internationally recognised Certification that proves the products are 100% biodegradable and commerically compostable.

This Certification also potentially allows our Clients and Customers the option to dispose of waste products to commerical composting,* rather than landfill or recycling.

There are some products available in NZ that claim that they are "biodegradable" or "oxo-biodegradable" or "degradable".

This maybe actually petroleum-plastic with an additive chemical called "d2W" or "TDA" that enables fragmentation or degradation of the plastic to occur. These products are not sustainable or annually-renewable, and cannot carry "compostable" Certification as they do not comply with the criteria required for compostability.

( * where available.)

Sustainability:

Our products are made from plants grown for the purpose, or from the by-products of plants. When our products 100% biodegrade through composting, they contribute to the compost that can be used to grow the next crop of plants. This is called “cradle to cradle” sustainability.

Traditional plastics are made from crude oil pumped or mined out of the ground. This is not a sustainable source of raw materials.

Currently in NZ, only 18% of the total plastic used is collected for recycling. Most of this plastic is shipped off-shore to other countries for reprocessing or stock-piling. Most post-consumer plastic reprocessing results in "down-graded" plastic products eg: cable covers, pellets, etc. Globally, there is significantly more "virgin" plastic product being produced than can be presently recycled.

Reduced Waste:

Our products do not need to go to landfill or even to recycling. They can be effectively 100% composted for a “cradle-cradle” solution.

In the near future, we will be able to collect waste plant-based products for dedicated recycling or commercial composting. ( see the Latest News section of our website for more information )

Over 80% of plastic consumed in NZ is currently dumped to landfill.

Carbon Footprint:

From “cradle to cradle”, most of our products have a significantly lower “carbon footprint” compared to conventional petroleum-based plastics.

Recent studies have shown that plant-products consume up to 70% less energy and produce significantly less carbon that the plastic equivalents.

For more information in regard to the PLA Products in our range, please visit the Natureworks LLC website to learn more.