New paper-based bottles use 70 percent less plastic. Source: Seventh Generation

In the 1967 Dustin Hoffman movie, The Graduate, a businessman at a trendy cocktail party said, “The future’s in plastic.” Today, at Seventh Generation and its development partner, Ecologic, a new paper bottle containing laundry detergent may soon have insiders repeating the mantra, “The future’s in paper.”

This March, Seventh Generation is distributing a new liquid laundry detergent bottle made from 100 percent recycled cardboard and newspaper. Seventh Generation’s Natural 4X Laundry Detergent bottle, designed with Ecologic Brands, features a fully-recyclable and compostable outer shell made from 70 percent recycled cardboard fibers plus 30 percent newspaper fibers. A recyclable lightweight plastic pouch is inside. The new bottle uses 66 percent less plastic than a typical 100 ounce 2X detergent bottle, the company reports.

Ecologic was founded in 2008. President Julie Corbett designed a bottle combining a sturdy molded fiber shell made from cardboard boxes and old newspapers with a thin inner plastic pouch and re-sealable cap. She patented her technology and Ecologic Brands was born.

When empty, the bottle’s shell can be recycled with other household paper. The #4 plastic pouch and the #5 cap can go into the plastic recycling bin. The Natural 4X Laundry Detergent will be available on natural retailer shelves throughout the country by the end of March.

Created as an alternative to rigid plastic bottles and laminated cartons, this design features a biodegradable and compostable shell made from recycled cardboard and a lightweight recyclable liner with 70 percent less plastic than a rigid container. Consumers gain the functionality they expect with a re-sealable cap, a rigid outer container and easy-to-grip profile. Disposal is simple: Consumers split open the shell’s side to separate and recycle components.

Ten package designers and developers have been named finalists in the “Package of the Future” competition, a key component of Project 2020: The Consumer Experience, sponsored by DuPont.

During November 2010, Environmental Leader reported about this company’s launch of new packaging that featured 96% post-consumer-recycled  content. This packaging was developed by Seventh Generation and partner, Consolidated Container Company, the packaging is made of resin derived from recycled milk jugs and other plastic bottles.

i-plas makes lovely products from recycled plastics. Source: i-plas

Massachusetts’s grocers are decreasing the number of disposable bags being used in an effort to develop sounder approaches for waste management. At the same time, the use of recycled plastics products in the construction field is growing.

Waste & Recycling News reports that early results show the number of disposable plastic and paper bags has dropped significantly in Massachusetts following the implementation of a public-private partnership aimed at discouraging plastic bag use at grocery stores.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the Massachusetts Food Association began the program in 2009. The joint initiative to reduce the distribution of disposable bags shows 12 supermarket chains, covering 384 stores report the 25% disposable bag distribution reduction. The state and grocers have a goal of reaching at least 33% by 2013.

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, the innovative recycling technology at i-plas is being used to develop many attractive commercial and residential building products that may otherwise have gone to landfills. The UK company reports or plastic waste that other recyclers cannot handle are being used to produce a range of recycled plastic products which outperform the traditional alternatives of wood, steel and concrete; products which are technically advanced, commercially successful and environmentally responsible.

Innovative recycling in action, c/o i-plas. Source: i-plas

UK-based i-plas has developed a comprehensive range of sustainable building products for use in construction projects for both home and export markets. Many of these recycled plastics have been developed in conjunction with major building and civil partners and effectively offer an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional methods where timber, concrete and steel are used.

One product category includes a range of fences that offer environmental, aesthetic, commercial and economic solutions. The company’s encouraging marketing claims for fencing products include:

• Lasts five times longer than timber,
• Reduces whole life cost.
• Minimal maintenance and easy to clean.
• Labor saving.
• Less flammable than timber.
• Can be cut, screwed, nailed and bolted.
• Will not rot, crack, split or splinter and is resistant to algae.
• Reduces the carbon footprint of any project.
• Is 100% recycled and can be recycled.
• UV resistant.
• Diverts material from landfill.

Home page banner for Access to Aquaponics

The word, aquaponics, may still sound new and foreign-sounding, but the term is beginning to get the attention of many who see it as one sustainable agricultural solution for an increasingly crowded planet.  This might be especially true for poverty stricken countries.

A Georgia-based author, Bevan Suits, has written an engaging new e-book about the topic, “The Aquaponics Guidebook, Access to Personal Agriculture.” For those interested, and there are plenty of good reasons to be interested, the book acts as a doorway to the world of aquaponics, “so you can learn about it quickly and get started, no matter your experience, budget or available space.,” says Suits. “Even beginners on a small scale will see amazing results. Greens like lettuce or basil can grow to harvest in four weeks.”

Aquaponics is an established growing system combining fish in tanks with vegetable grow beds. Water is recirculated continuously with a pump. One way of describing it might go something like this:  Aquaculture (growing ­fish) + Hydroponics (growing plants) = Aquaponics.

Suits says until now, there hasn’t been a single reference on the topic. The book covers the technology, science, history and economics of aquaponics.

The book is available as an interactive PDF download, and provides links in the text to supporting websites to get a tour of the aquaponics world, which is gaining popularity in the United States.

In its review of the book, the Ecologist wrote, “The ultimate inspiration for anyone interested by the idea of producing vegetables and raising fish on a micro-scale and in a sustainable way.”

Suits says his book is being promoted across this country by several hydroponics retailers, adding that Colorado is one of the states where interest in aquaponics is most noticeable. The book is available in a PDF format for $12.00. Sample pages can be read at http://www.accesstoaquaponics.com/book.html

Boulder's Best Organics

With the holiday season approaching, some folks may want to learn more about Best Organics, he company that provides Boulder’s Best Organics and Colorado’s Best Organics.

Adriane Little, an account manager for Best Organics, says one of the company’s target markets is the business sector. “We are targeting business to business sales and focusing on many different business industries, including natural and organic, service industries, medical industries, renewable energy companies, marketing/advertising, law firms, accounting, and many more.”

From body care to energy products, the choices are abundant

For potential buyers, Best Organics gift boxes are priced from $25 and go up from there, depending on the size of the box and the products it contains. “We have both selected gift sets, or you can create a custom box,” adds Little.

The organics product line has served this company well, having been voted the second largest growing business in Boulder County by the Boulder County Business Report.  In addition, Little says all gifts “meet strict ‘Green’ standards. ” The company may be contacted at 303-499-6742.