Sun Chips' Compostable Bag

I saw a commercial for SunChips and their new 100% compostable chip bag, coming Earth Day, 2010.

It reminded me of the "Recycling Garden" project proposal we looked at in class. At first glance I was amazed, but then I remembered the project proposals and how many "100% compostable materials" are only compostable in special conditions and not in the landfill where most of them will end up. So I decided to go check out their website and read more about the new bag.

When I saw their website I was impressed, who knew that the SunChips brand was environmentally conscious. Their whole brand revolves around a "healthier you and a healthier planet". After reading more about the brand, I was really inspired. They are trying to make their small step toward a cleaner world. Trying to lessen their contribution to the waste of the world, they went into action creating a better bag. As their first step in reducing the amount on non-renewable materials used for packaging, their current chip bag is made 33% of renewable plant based materials. This leads to their introduction of the first fully compostable chip bag of its kind, in 2010. And that's when I saw it, these innovative bags are designed to fully decompose in about 14 weeks "when placed in a hot, active compost bin or pile'. Hmmm...

But I couldn't be upset because at least they are trying...baby steps, right? And it wasn't like they were trying to hide the information from the consumer, it was underlined in the text. They also gave information as pdf files showing how they tested and filmed the compostability of the new bag, the journey to developing the better bag, a guide to taking small steps in your own backyard and composting.

Besides the bag, SunChips is helping to build the greenest town in America...Greensburg, Kansas.

After being destroyed by a devastating tornado on May 4, 2007, the town is now being rebuild from ground up as the greenest town in North America. SunChips has donated $1 million to build a solar-powered SunChips Business Incubator, designed to help small businesses get back up and running. A 13-part documentary series about the rebirth of the small town has been produced by Planet Green and Discovery Networks, in conjunction with Executive Producer Leonardo DiCaprio, "Greenburg: A Story of Community Rebuilding".

Another great thing about the brand is that they have started using solar energy instead of fossil fuels to make their chips in their plant in Modesto, California. I find it really refreshing that they admit that it's only one of their eight plants, but it's a step in the right direction for them. I think this is the right way for businesses to go. They should slowly evolve and change in moderation. The company seems more human if they can admit their flaws along with their accomplishments, not just boast about all their changes and try to be something they are not.

And WOW, I thought this was such a creative idea...check out their solar power billboard:

check out their website:

http://www.sunchips.com/index.shtml