Edible Chips & Computer Chips: How Do We Get Rid of Them?

Here are a few developments that I've been mulling over lately. I thought I would share with you all...

SunChips, Frito-Lay’s popular line of multigrain snacks, announced recently that on Earth Day April 22, 2010 this year it will introduce the first fully compostable snack chip bag made from plant-based materials. The change is designed to significantly improve the environmental impact of its packaging.



SunChips brand is taking the first step towards this transformational packaging. The outer layer of packaging on 10½-oz. size SunChips snacks bags will be made with a compostable, plant-based renewable material, polylactic acid (PLA). PepsiCo's Frito-Lay North America division plans to rollout a package for its SunChips snacks where all layers are made from PLA material so the package is 100% compostable.

“We know environmentally friendly packaging is a priority for our SunChips consumer,” says Gannon Jones, vice president, marketing, Frito-Lay North America. “Today’s launch of packaging made with 1/3 renewable materials is an important first step towards having a fully compostable chip bag in market by Earth Day 2010.”

Current snack food packaging has three layers: a printed outer layer with packaging visuals/graphics, an inner layer, which serves as a barrier to maintain the quality and integrity of the product, and a middle layer that joins the other two layers. When the packaging is 100% compostable, it will fully decompose in about 14 weeks when placed in a hot, active compost pile or bin. NatureWorks LLC is providing the PLA, which is trademarked under the Ingeo name.

“Packaging is clearly the most visible interaction consumers have with Frito-Lay’s brands,” says Jay Gehring, vice president, packaging R&D, Frito-Lay North America. “To make packaging that would interact differently in the environment we had to change the composition of packaging and invent key technologies. Using plant-based renewable materials, we have a promising solution that will transform packaging and significantly impact the billions of snack food bags produced annually.”

Once the 100% compostable bag is introduced, the company anticipates the switch will lead to reduced greenhouse gas emissions in the production of the packaging and the elimination of petroleum-based packaging material. The launch of PLA packaging is yet another small step in the SunChips brand’s sustainability journey.

Hmmmm interesting. That seems very promising!

Here's another tidbit.......

Over the weekend my laptop computer stopped working, so I'm currently trying to find the best option for recycling it.



Getting rid of a computer can be a complex process that isn't necessarily environmentally friendly. Right now I'm looking at several options. I found a reuse organization, a zero landfill option and a donation/computer repair center (although I'm cyncial about where the actual components end up.) Any other suggestions?

Happy Wednesday,

-BA