Tom’s of Maine is looking at trying to make use of something close to home in Maine – potato waste. The company is working with researchers at the University of Maine and the Sustainable BioPlastics Council of Maine to develop PLA packaging using unsellable potatos from the state.
Tom’s Goodness Report highlights packaging as a specific area they can improve upon to increase the overall sustainablity of their operation.
A number of companies have incorported PLA- plant based plastics into their packaging however most tend to be corn-based. If You Care currently markets food waste bags made in France in the US market made from potato startch plastics but the use of potato-based plastics is relaitvely uncommon in the US.