EarthShell Corporation, the US-based manufacturer of eco-friendly food service packaging, is to expand its production by increasing the supply of its plates and bowls to Wal-Mart to select stores throughout the US.
The planned expansion would make EarthShell Packaging plates and bowls available to consumers at approximately 1,200 Wal-Mart stores nationwide.
Wal-Mart is targeting the first quarter of 2003 for this first stage of nationwide expansion for EarthShell products. The order corresponds to additional plate and bowl capacity that is expected to be available from EarthShell operating partners in the first quarter of next year, an announcement that was made back in September this year.
Wal-Mart made the decision to expand distribution and provide more customers with the option of environmentally friendly food service packaging after the products were well received by customers. The products were first made available within the US Western region earlier this year in individual packages of 25 plates and 30 bowls.
"We are pleased that Wal-Mart will be bringing our environmentally preferable products to more of their customers across America," said Vincent J. Truant, president and chief operating officer of EarthShell Corporation. "This expansion is an important part of our growth plan that will increase awareness and support of the EarthShell brand."
EarthShell sandwich containers, plates, bowls and wraps are designed with the environment in mind. Developed over many years using a "life cycle inventory" and in consultation with environmental experts, EarthShell products reduce the environmental burdens of rigid food service packaging through the careful selection of raw materials, processes and suppliers.
The products are made primarily from natural limestone and potato starch. The new packaging poses substantially fewer risks to wildlife than polystyrene foam packaging because it biodegrades when exposed to moisture in nature, physically disintegrates in water when crushed or broken, and can be composted in a commercial facility (where available) or in the backyard.
In addition, the company has recently introduced flexible packaging in the form of sandwich wraps that have also been developed using a "life cycle inventory." Like EarthShell's rigid packaging, the wraps also biodegrade when exposed to moisture and bacteria in nature and can be composted.