Believe it or not, these bathroom accessories are one of the coolest things at the Gift Fair. They're made from a biodegradable polymer that is a byproduct of a bacteria. In addition to being healthy for the environment, they're very attractive. The simple rounded shapes are matte in appearance and seem much less prone to scratches than similar petroleum-based acrylic products...
Gift Fair: EcoGen Biodegradable Polymer
To create EcoGen, we feed naturally occurring bacteria sugar that is obtained from corn starch. These “bugs” digest the sugar and store the resulting PHBV polymer much as the human body would store fat. Extracted from the “bug,” the stored “fat” becomes an injection moldable material. This material, Enmat®, is then blended with other biodegradable compounds to enhance its ability to process efficiently in standard injection molding machines. When exposed to microorganisms in compost or soil, EcoGen decomposes into carbon dioxide, water and biomass. Extensive scientific testing has established no harmful toxicity from the process or the end product.The material’s natural decomposition requires exposure to bacteria commonly found in compost and many soils. So it will not deteriorate in the open air or with ordinary use. EcoGen can withstand temperatures of 110 degrees Centigrade / 230 degrees Fahrenheit and will last indefinitely under normal conditions.
These first products made from EcoGen will be launched exclusively through The Container Store in April.
Comments (8)
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I ⥠Bacteria Plastic!
view Djluckyonline's profile
I want to like it, but I'm having a little trouble with this one. Meanwhile, it LOOKS nice, but really? Put my hand soap and my toothbrush in something that's literally made of bacteria?
view Curtis's profile
Made by bacteria. Most plastic is made from petroleum, but that doesn't bother you, right? This is a relatively new way of thinking about production and design and we can't wait to see what is next!
view Aaron's profile
I'm now officially a Ludite. This creeps me out me WAY more than cloning human beings.
view joyunspeakable's profile
I'm completely the opposite, the idea doesn't bother me... but I think the examples are pretty ugly. Anyway what I would like to see more of is refilable containers and bulk bins. Even less wastefull and then you could invest in really pretty containers without ads on them.
view Kvaen's profile
I don't trust that I can wash this with sinkwater, i wonder if it has to be washed with filtered water so deposits don't start interactions for the decomposing. (I do rinse my toothbrush with filtered water and you really should too!!)
I was all for the green bathroom accessories b/c I don't have any in my bathroom, but I think I'll look for something else.
view asked you first's profile
I read a magazine article on this stuff. They said it was dishwasher safe. I am definitely going to give it a try when it's available in the store. For the same price as petroleum plastic, why not try a more eco-friendly alternative. I'll let you know if it starts dissolving on my sink.
view ShopGirl82's profile
I just bought a full set at The Container Store in Chicago. These are nice contemporary designs and they have a matte type finish. The prices were reasonable and the clerk said Ecogen is a brand new material. I went to their website and watched a video that showed it will biodegrade in my compost pile. I'll give it a try and report back in a few months. Go North Carolina in the NCAA!
view Goingreen's profile