Sip on This! American Manufacturer Releases Compostable Straw Line

Apr 22, 2019

UrthPact leading the way to a more sustainable future with its newest single-use product line.

Leominster, MA, April 22, 2019,  Nestled within a generation of consumers concerned for the future of our planet, UrthPact, a US manufacturer of compostable products that are typically produced using petroleum plastics, is pleased to announce its expansion to a new line of plant-based straws. Already a worldwide industry leader in compostable coffee pods, one-way degassing valves, cutlery and bottles and caps, UrthPact is once again flipping the single-use product world upside down with its continued innovation and earth-friendly objectives.

Produced in the US at both their East and West Coast facilities, the first in a two-product line-up includes Industrial Compostable straws, which are available now. The second-tier of the line, slated to hit the market in January of 2020, raises the environmental standards even higher with a Home Compostable/Marine Degradable option.

When given the choice between comparable products that are either compostable or will sit on the earth for hundreds of years, most people will choose the sustainable option. The problem with many of the items developed recently, is that they do not function as well as their petroleum-based counterparts. This sub-par performance has particularly been the case with the sustainable straws produced to-date.

Paul Boudreau, CEO of UrthPact explains, “We realized that people are unhappy with today’s alternative for earth-friendly straws,” which is why the company decided there was a need to produce an upgraded version. “Our straws function like traditional plastic straws, but are safer for the environment,” he continued. Boudreau hopes that with this new alternative more businesses will be willing to switch to this sustainable option, eliminating customer complaints and creating an all-around win for the corporate, consumer and natural worlds.

With all-of-the-above to consider, why not just eliminate straws all-together? “Perhaps someday straws will be a thing of the past, but for now they are so embedded into our culture, businesses will continue to use them. At least now we have a better option to offer,” said Boudreau. He also noted the need to respect the many members of our ADA (Americans with Disabilities) community who rely on the use of straws to help with everyday functionality.

A History Lesson… Not the First, But the Best Bet

UrthPact’s East Coast plant is located in Leominster, Massachusetts, known as the Pioneer Plastics City for claiming the invention of the plastics industry we know today. Now with UrthPact’s growing presence, a new sustainable revolution is taking place. “What began ten years ago with the development of a compostable golf tee is exploding in all directions,” notes Boudreau. “People want to see more earth-friendly options and we have the ability to create and supply those items.” UrthPact also manufactures out of Lincoln, California, creating a coast-to-coast catalogue of product availability.

Boudreau recognizes UrthPact is not the first to tackle compostable straws but explains the benefits of using a US-based company, “Straws and other items manufactured overseas may not have the same quality standards that we have in the US.” UrthPact’s compostable items are produced in its SQF (Safe Quality Food) certified plants, guaranteeing safety.

Additionally, the shipping requirements to import products from overseas only increase their total carbon footprint. “That’s like solving one problem but creating another,” remarked Boudreau. “Being able to manufacture on both sides of the country allows for fast and easy shipping to all locations within North America without the added stress on the environment.”

Next Big Dive for UrthPact… Into the Ocean

UrthPact has been going green for years but is now shifting its attention to going blue. Despite clean-up efforts throughout our oceans, petroleum-based plastics, unless eliminated, will continue to haunt our waterways and the ocean life that inhabit it. “It’s one thing to save the land we stand on,” pushed Boudreau, “but our planet is far more blue than green. It’s time to clean up our act in the oceans.”

Which is why coming in January of 2020, UrthPact aims even higher with its first shipments of Home Compostable (AS-5800) and Marine Degradable (ASTM-D6691) straws. Compared with Industrial Compostable straws (ASTM-D6400), which require specialized facilities to fully break down, this version will rapidly return to nutrient-rich soil in a home garden composter or biodegrade in a marine environment. “Should these straws make it into the ocean, they will completely biodegrade, taking us one step closer to cleaner oceans,” declares Boudreau.

Boudreau is sharing the results to the independent lab testing work they have done and is looking to work with marine biologists throughout this process. “We will only make claims that are supported by science and are accepted by the people out there who care the most for our oceans,” Boudreau states. “We may not have the final solution to this big problem just yet,” he exclaimed, “but while we work towards that, we believe we have created something that will stop the damage being done right now.”

Taking Orders Now

UrthPact’s Industrial Compostable straws are now available for purchase. Customers can also pre-order home compostable/marine degradable straws for delivery in January 2020, but quantities will be limited. Those currently ordering Industrial Compostable straws will have first access to their home/marine line.

For more information on the above or UrthPact’s other endeavors, please visit: www.urthpact.com or contact Lauren MacKay at 978-847-9747 or lmackay@urthpact.com

“UrthPact helps brands create products and packaging from earth-friendly materials, protecting a world that needs it and championing a generation of consumers that demand it.”

Read the original press release here.

Recycling and Composting at UMass Amherst: Getting Smarter About Waste

Oct 3, 2017

Colleges and universities have always been a wellspring for innovation and the University of Massachusetts Amherst has been a stand-out among them. As social and economic concern has grown over how we manufacture, consume, and discard products, UMass Amherst has brought its intellectual and educational firepower to bear on issues such as recycling, composting, and sustainability.

It all began in 2007 when the president of the five-campus UMass system signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment. In response, UMass Amherst established an Environmental Performance Advisory Committee (EPAC) that developed the campus’ first Climate Action Plan, which was released in 2010. Two years later, the plan was revised by the Chancellor’s Sustainability Committee, formerly EPAC. The revised plan reflected campus accomplishments and presented a comprehensive blueprint for future sustainability efforts across all aspects of the campus. Climate Action Plan 2.0 helped establish metrics and sustainable goals for the campus.

Subsequently, undergraduates and graduate students campaigned to encourage a more environmentally friendly and ecologically sound approach to campus operations, including the hiring of Ezra Small as the school’s first Campus Sustainability Manager in Facilities & Campus Services. Today are more than a dozen employees focused on sustainability and working in a variety of positions, including, their communications, residential life, the library, and physical plant operations.

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From Zero to Hero: Zero Waste Initiatives

Aug 1, 2017

Zero waste initiatives are gathering steam, especially, in large sporting venues and airports which historically have generated considerable solid waste from vendors and thousands of fans and travelers. Major ballparks such as Boston’s beloved Fenway Park and the Los Angeles Coliseum, as well as international airports such as Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson are all getting on board with zero waste initiatives designed to drive down the cost of waste processing and removal as well as promote greener, more conscientious treatment of the environment.

Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, is the oldest ballpark in the country, but it’s also one of the most advanced when it comes to recycling and composting. Fenway Park is now a single-stream recycling facility, meaning all recyclable materials can be co-mingled, including plastic, cardboard, and paper – encouraging fans to recycle their food containers and programs instead of just tossing them in a trash can.

Even Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is getting in on the recycling action. As one of the busiest airports in the world, it was ripe for adopting an aggressive approach to recycling and began planning for a first-of-its-kind recycling and composting facility on airport grounds. While the project is still in the planning and proposal stage, the city is looking to have the program up and running by 2020.

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Insights and Innovations at Biobased Re-Revolution of Plastics

Jun 29, 2017

We got a chance to connect with UrthPact’s own VP of Technology, Derek Helmer, and VP of Operations, Mike Pousland, about their recent trip to Newark, NJ for the InnoPlast Solutions Conference, May 23-25th.  The InnoPlast Solutions goal is to adopt a mission related to plastics, innovation, and business growth and select a team of technical and business savvy experts to educate participants.  The conference offers solid networking opportunities as well for the plastic and bioplastic industry.  The focus and theme of this year’s conference, BioBased Re-Revolution of Plastics, was to highlight the utilization of non-fossil raw materials that leads to preservation of petroleum resources and reduction of air/ land/ water pollution.

As far as the UrthPact team is concerned, this conference delivered a great value as it was full of participant engagement and packed full of information rich presentations showcasing topics related to the bio-industry.

Without a doubt, the biggest take-away was the strong drive on the part of attendees and presenters to replace petroleum as a feedstock for polymers before the Earth runs out of oil or oil prices become too high. Research has shown that solutions to this pressing problem will be found in developing bio-based replacements for existing polymers such as BioPE, BioPET, PEF, and PTF or finding new polymers that can replace existing materials such as PHA that do not source from oil.

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UrthPact Sponsors Green Sports Alliance Summit 2017

May 25, 2017

UrthPact is a proud sponsor of this year’s Green Sports Alliance Summit, June 27-29 at the LEED Platinum Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California –home of the Sacramento Kings NBA basketball team. We’re excited to be a part of the growing movement to make a positive environmental and social impact on the sports industry and its fans.

The Green Sports Alliance will bring sports leaders together from 15 leagues, representing 14 countries at the Golden 1 Center, a venue that’s entirely powered by renewable energy. With a theme of PLAY GREENER™, the seventh annual Summit aims to accelerate fan engagement; educate youth on sustainability through sports; and leverage the $485 billion sports industry to tackle energy, waste, water, food, transportation, and other sustainability issues in sports.

Olympians Mary Harvey and Jill Savery, Hall of Famers Bill Walton and Peter “PT” Townend, NASCAR stars Joey McColm and Julia Landauer, and numerous other athletes who care about our world’s future will share the stage with Yankees VP Operations Doug Behar, Mercedes-Benz Stadium General Manager Scott Jenkins, Arizona State Athletic Director Ray Anderson, and other team executives who lead the way in greening sports venues.

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