Sustainable is Good

BioBag Produces Product for Hartz Clean Earth Line, Offers New Size at Petco

BIOgroupUSA makers of BioBag, the increasingly popular corn-based biodegradable bags have entered into an agreement with New Jersey-based pet brand Hartz. 

BioBag will make a version of its popular dog waste bags for Hartz to sell under its Clean Earth Line.  The products will be called "biodegradable pet waste clean-up bags" and will be packaged in Hartz Clean Earth paperboard packaging.  The Hartz bags are available at Target Stores nationwide.

Sustainable is Good found the new bags at a local Target store selling for $4.97.  The Hartz Clean Earth bags are identical to the BioBag version (made in Norway etc) except they do not have anything printed on the bags - the bags themselves are blank.

The move represents an interesting jump for Hartz who are clearly trying to position the Clean Earth Line as a leader in mainstream green pet care products.

Mark Williams with BioBag USA told Sustainable is Good their products currently have a stronger presence on the West coast than the East coast.  When asked whether Target was behind the deal between his company and Hartz Williams said, "many retailers like Target are trying to source greener products. Hartz approached us I believe on this one."

Williams said the company currently has about twenty-five online resellers.

BioBags are made in Norway.  I have been always been surprised the brand isn't more readily available on the East coast - their products are actually quite difficult to find. 

As far as the corn-based products on the market so far, I find BioBags packaging and graphic design to be effective and well done.  Which why I am surprised they aren't selling their products themselves through Target or other stores rather than allowing them to be sold under another name.  BioBags is clearly able to meet the supply demand for Hartz, why not just sell the bags themselves?

In other BioBags news:  BioBags are also now available at Petco stores nationwide.  The company is selling a new large size dog waste bag which measure 13" x 9.75" and come in a box of 35.  Petco is also selling the normal size dog waste bags.

L.A. Unable to Follow San Francisco's Lead on Eliminating Plastic Bags

Biodegradable bags may contaminate current recycling efforts city officials warn

The city of Los Angeles and the surrounding area cannot follow San Francisco's lead in eliminating petroleum-based plastic bags from large grocery and drug stores.  The city lacks the capacity to process the biodegradable plastic bags.

Experts say the compostable bags could even contaminate the city of Los Angeles' recycling system because they would taint other kinds of recyclable plastic if they were thrown out together in curbside bins.

The city of Los Angeles considered a plastic bag ban several years ago but instead opted for a plan that would allow residents to include the bags in their normal household recycling bins.  It should be noted that this plan in effect now, is still far ahead of most communities in the U.S.