Plastic Supplier’s EarthFirst PLA Film Earn BPI Certification

Plastic Suppliers’ EarthFirst® PLA film line of sustainable films was approved by the Biodegradable Products Institute to carry the “Compostable Logo”. Plastics Suppliers’ EarthFirst PLA films can be used in flexible packaging, floral sleeves, folding window cartons, shrink sleeve labels and other labeling applications. EarthFirst PLA film will augment the growing array of compostable materials and facilitate the development of innovative compostable packaging. This specification assures packagers that the microorganisms in the compost can quickly break down EarthFirst PLA films, using them as a food source and converting them to carbon dioxide and water.

(PRWEB) May 2, 2006 -- Plastic Suppliers’ EarthFirst® PLA film line of sustainable films was approved by the Biodegradable Products Institute to carry the “Compostable Logo”. Plastics Suppliers’ EarthFirst PLA films can be used in flexible packaging, floral sleeves, folding window cartons, shrink sleeve labels and other labeling applications. EarthFirst PLA film will augment the growing array of compostable materials and facilitate the development of innovative compostable packaging. This specification assures packagers that the microorganisms in the compost can quickly break down EarthFirst PLA films, using them as a food source and converting them to carbon dioxide and water.

“Plastic Suppliers is excited to be an innovator in the manufacturing of sustainable bio-based plastic films,” stated Scott Cordial, Plastic Suppliers Marketing Manager. EarthFirst PLA films utilizes NatureWorks® PLA resin from NatureWorks LLC, to create a line of plastic films, which are derived from a renewable resource; corn. EarthFirst PLA films offer unique properties for many different applications. EarthFirst PLA films are manufactured in a wide range of grades and gauges.        

The approval of EarthFirst PLA films is a sign that the market for bio-based and compostable materials is expanding. “Now packaging professionals will be able to further reduce their product’s impacts by using renewable resources and ‘designing for recovery”, stated Steve Mojo, BPI Executive Director. In areas where source separated composting programs exist; the BPI symbol makes it easier for consumers to identify which products can go in the “compostable bin”, along with the food scraps and soiled papers. BPI approved materials meet ASTM D6400 or D6868 and will disintegrate and biodegrade swiftly and safely in large scale composting facilities. “Today, BPI approved products are an important part of successful composting in programs all across North America and in other parts of the world,” Mojo added.

Plastic Suppliers, a manufacturer and distributor of oriented film and sheet, is proud to introduce their newest product, EarthFirst PLA film. This unique film is compostable and is made from the annually renewable resource, corn, instead of petrochemical-based resins. Plastic Suppliers uses their patent pending processes to manufacture EarthFirst PLA film in their ISO 9001:2000 certified plants. Corn-based films are not entirely new to the plastics industry; however, no other company has successfully manufactured a PLA film using blown film technologies other than Plastic Suppliers.

The typical properties of EarthFirst PLA film are as good as comparable standard plastic films. Plastic Suppliers offers clear, matte and white versions of EarthFirst PLA film, all boasting exceptional characteristics.

BPI is a multi-stakeholder group, involving people and organizations that produce, use or recover biodegradable plastic products. It promotes the growth of biodegradable plastics and renewable resources through education, use of scientifically based standards and cooperative efforts with organizations in Europe and Asia.

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