Compostable and Biodegradeable Packaging

Published: October 10, 2008

SEBASTOPOL, CA | Guayaki Yerba Mate’s new San Mateo and Traditional Loose Yerba Mate ‘teas’ feature new compostable and biodegradable packaging appear on store shelves this month around the country. In their quest to create the ‘greenest’ packaging possible, Guayaki learned about a technology called NatureFlex created by Innovia Films. Guayaki worked with their eco-minded friends at Superfood Snacks) and Innovia to pioneer the first retail products that use this technology in a flexible stand-up bag format.

The new bags for San Mateo and Traditional Loose Yerba Mate are made of two layers of cellophane and foil films and are printed using water-based inks. The outside layer of the colorful package is transparent cellulose, and the inside film layer is made of cellulose with one side coated with metallized aluminum that serves as a barrier to light, oxygen, and moisture. The outside cellulose layer is printed so that the eco-friendly water-based inks are trapped between the layers and ink can’t scratch off. The foil side faces the outside so the interior product contacts only the transparent cellulose layer. Visit www.superfoodsnacks.com or www.guayaki.com.