ecotainer™ - Frequently Asked Questions

Q What makes ecotainerTM packaging different from “standard” cups and containers?

A In standard paper cups and containers, the paperboard used is coated with a petrochemical based plastic (polyethylene) to make it liquid resistant.  ecotainerTM products are also made from plastic coated paperboard, but the plastic used in this cup is polylactic acid (PLA) made from plants.  Now, both the fiber and coating used to make the cup come from fully renewable materials.  We believe this is a small step toward a more sustainable future.

Q There have been clear PLA cold cups in the market for some time, these clear cups cannot be exposed to heat, without quickly deforming…  Will the same happen with these ecotainerTM PLA coated products?

A No.  The PLA used in ecotainerTM packaging has been modified to maintain the required performance characteristics for paperboard packaging under elevated temperatures. This packaging has demonstrated performance in the market as a hot beverage cup and food container in the market for more than two years.

Q Won’t the coating on the cup dissolve when filled with liquid if it is made with PLA?

A No, but this is one of the most popular misconceptions associated with this product.  The coating is not water soluble and will not dissolve in use with hot or cold beverages.  It can, however, be consumed by microbes over time in a municipal compost environment.

Q Is this new “bio” plastic made from plants safe?

A Yes.  The process used to make this material starts with plant sugars and ends with a non-toxic plastic similar to other materials used to package food.  It is FDA approved, and although this application (coating paperboard) is relatively new, this material is used extensively for packaging produce and other food items. 

Q What kind of inks are used on ecotainerTM packaging?

A International Paper Foodservice used water-based inks for flexography printing and the inks are CONEG and FDA direct food compliant.

Q Does this paperboard contain post consumer recycled content?

A At this point, ecotainerTM packaging does not contain post consumer recycled fiber.  We are investigating this possibility and may pursue this option in the future. 

Q Is ecotainerTM packaging elemental chlorine free?

A Yes. International Paper uses an elemental Chlorine-free bleaching process for manufacturing its paperboard products.

Q Can this material be recycled?

A Yes, in the limited municipalities which accept poly-coated paperboard and packaging. Companies have worked with local recyclers to integrate ecotainer™ into the office paper waste stream.

Q Aren't all paper cups and containers biodegradable?

A No. Although paper is generally biodegradable, the traditional coatings for making these products usually prevent them from meeting compostability requirements. This new PLA coated material is certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute to conform to ASTM standards for municipal composting.

Q Can I throw ecotainer™ products on the side of the road?

A No. These products are not intended to be immediately degradable in a "roadside" environment. Ideally these products are either composted or recycled. We encourage all of our ecotainer™ customers to take advantage of, and support more environmentally friendly disposable options.

Q Should ecotainer™ products be considered "sustainable" packaging?

A While we believe ecotainer™products are a step in the right direction, we won't go so far as to call it "sustainable" packaging. The accepted definition of sustainable packaging (Sustainable Packaging Coalition) requires a product be created and transported with fully renewable resources and that the disposal has no impact on the environment. We aren't there yet, but are confident this cup and our customer's efforts to establish systems to collect it in-store, demonstrate progress in the right direction.

Q How about the lids for these cups and containers? Are they currently made out of PLA material or other non-petroleum plastic?

A At this time, the progress made on bio-plastics has not yet yielded a material that can perform in both hot and cold applications. We are working with a number of manufactures to develop materials that will meet our three principle criteria for ecotainer™ products (fully compostable, fully renewable, and smaller environmental footprint) in the near future.