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End of life solutions
We distribute our biodegradable water bottles only within “closed-loop” venues, whereby used containers are collected on-site and undergo proper end-of-life processing. Our goal is to get 90% of the PLA bottles back after use, 90% of the time. Collecting the bottles and send them to the right end of life option.
End of life solutions for our biodegradable water bottles
Recycling.
PLA (Poly Lactic Acid) bottles are very easy to recycle. Our PLA bottles can be recycled both mechanically and chemically.
Mechanical recycling
Mechanical recycling is the processing of our PLA bottles in which the chemical bonds of the plastics are not broken down. The waste is ground mechanically and melted by an extruder. Subsequently, plastic granules are made again in the same process. This form of recycling is particularly suitable for waste streams of one type of relatively clean plastic. In principle, all thermoplastics can be recycled mechanically with little or no loss of quality.
Chemical Recycle:
With chemical recycling, the chemical structure of our plant-based bottles is changed and broken down into the original building blocks (polylactic acid) that make up the PLA. With this polylactic acid new PLA can be made. This PLA is so pure that it can be used to make food-graded PLA. So the ideal closed loop. Our plant-based bottles are chemically recycled and the new PLA resin is processed into new PLA bottles. We have several partners in the world that can support the recycling of the PLA waste stream.
Incinerator
The plant-based bottles can also be collected for sending them to boilers where they are able to supply energy comparable to hard wood fuel. PLA bottles will burn without toxic outcome. PLA bottles will give the same energy value as hard wood.
Our core belief is that PLA bioplastics can have a real and meaningful impact towards creating a better planet for current and future generations. The biobased nature of PLA means that it helps to reduce our carbon footprint.
We believe that in the circular economy, so-called ‘waste streams’ and products at their ‘end-of-life’ can form the basis for new products, instead of being disposed of.
Industrial composting
Our biodegradable water bottles can also be easily composted in industrial composter facilities.
“compostable” means; material that is certified according to European standards EN 13432 (packaging) and EN 14995 (products) and is composted in industrial composting installations. This process is not about composting at home.
Composting is a biological decomposition process under aerobic conditions over a period of several weeks. The composting of packaging and products takes place in industrial composting installations, under controlled conditions (including temperature, humidity, aeration, and the presence of micro-organisms).
Our biodegradable water bottles can also be composted in these facilities. The compostable bottles can be processed in the same time frame as normal food waste. The end product is CO2, water, and fiber.
Even though it is possible to process our compostable bottles at an industrial composter, it does not mean that this is permitted in all countries. There are several countries in the world where compostable packaging is generally not allowed in Industrial composting facilities. Composting companies have unfortunately made their own rules to keep out bioplastic.
Check carefully in advance whether this end-of-life solution is possible for you. If this is not possible, we will be happy to discuss with you what other options there are.
One of the alternatives to can be anaerobic digestion (makes methane gas which can create energy as a by-product).
