ENSO Bottles - Test Results

ENSO Bottles sets the standard for educating and informing the public about biodegradable plastics. As an environmentally focused business, we feel transparency of information regarding the technology behind the ENSO bottle is critical; and as such, ENSO Bottles is the first company to provide testing data to the general public. We feel that all organizations and businesses making biodegradable claims should do the same. We believe it is imperative that the public be informed and educated on the value biodegradable bottles can have in our environment and how to best utilize them to making a difference. We also believe that all plastics claiming biodegradable, compostable or degradable should be backed up by third party testing using test methods from internationally recognized standards boards. We do not feel that industry specific certification organizations are appropriate for validating such standards. We encourage consumers, organizations, and business alike to become knowledgeable about the products they are purchasing and to ask the tough questions to companies making such biodegradable claims.

ENSO Bottles strongly encourages the use of fair and honest environmental marketing claims and for adherence to the FTC Environmental Marketing Guidelines. Some believe a product being biodegradable or compostable represents the end of the products life, but we believe that it is important to analyze the lifecycle of the biodegradable product and consider all factors including: the source for the raw material, the use of the product and methods for extending that use, the customary disposal of the product and does the infrastructure exist to get the product properly disposed, and what are the value added propositions of the product after disposal.

We encourage businesses researching other biodegradable technologies such as PLA and oxo-degradables to request the testing data used to support their biodegradable claims and have that data reviewed by unbiased scientists. There are a number of organizations and businesses promoting biodegradable claims that do not have the data or refuse to provide the data supporting the biodegradable, compostable or degradable claims. Non-profit industry specific certification organizations should provide testing data for those products they certify.

RECYCLABILITY

Haze and Transmission via ASTM D 1003B
Intrinsic Viscosity via ASTM D 4603
Acetaldehyde via ASTM F 2013
Fluorescence Visual
Visual Black Specks and Gels

Currently, there are no recognized standard certification programs for recyclability. ENSO Bottles has performed various ASTM test methods on our bottles using 3rd party testing laboratories to verify the physical properties remain the same for recycled ENSO bottles, as compared to standard PET bottles. These test results reveal that the physical properties of ENSO bottles verse that found with standard PET bottles remain the same, with little to no distinguishing differences.

In addition, we believe it is important to work with recyclers and provide them the opportunity to handle and test ENSO bottles in their own facilities. Thus, we have provided a number of independent recyclers with samples of ENSO bottles. The ENSO bottle samples were subjected to these recyclers various testing methods, and standard processing procedures to see if the “real world” application of our product would reveal any inconsistent data. All reports from recyclers have indicated that there is no change to the PET physical characteristics with recyclate made from ENSO bottles.

ENSO Bottles continues to work with recyclers as well as industry organizations, to support environmentally sound solutions benefiting the recycling industry as a whole.

BIODEGRADABILITY

ASTM D 5511 Standard Test Method for Determining Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under High-Solids Anaerobic Digestion Conditions
ASTM D 5210 Standard Test Method for Determining the Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in the Presence of Municipal Sewage Sludge determined

ENSO bottles with EcoPure G2 are biodegradable in both aerobic and anaerobic environments. Currently, the customary disposal method of plastic bottles is either to recycle, or discard into a landfill. On average in the United States, 75% of plastic bottles end up in landfills. We believe the most applicable test methods would be for testing biodegradation in anaerobic (landfill) environments. Therefore, ENSO bottles tested under the scrutiny of the ASTM D 5511, which is a standard test method for determining anaerobic biodegradation of plastic materials under high-solids anaerobic digestion conditions. The latest test results being performed by Dr. Bill Ullmann at Northeast Laboratories, Inc. using ASTM D 5511 conditions show that ENSO bottles will biodegrade in 250 days. Dr. Bill Ullmann has over 40 years experience in testing and studying microbes. Northeast Laboratories, Inc is accredited by the FDA, EPA and the Department of Defense and is also ISO certified.

EcoPure G2 ADDITIVE

Complies with FDA Title 21 CFR 177.1350
Complies with FDA Title 21 CFR 177.1520
Complies with FDA Title 21 CFR 177.1630
Complies with FDA Title 21 CFR 184
Complies with California Prop 65
Environmentally safe / Non-toxic per RAL GZ 251
No hazardous substances under SARA 311/312
No chemical reportable under SARA 313
Not specifically listed by the EPA as hazardous waste (40 CFR Part 2610)
All components comply with TSCA

All EcoPure G2 additive components are covered under FDA CFR title 21 Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS). In addition, Keller and Heckman (a large FDA verification firm) has validated EcoPure G2 to meet all the FDA requirements and have provided a short letter to confirm the verification. Migration (extended leaching) testing has also been performed on ENSO bottles with EcoPure validating no migration of chemicals.

Click here to download ENSO Bottles Technical Datasheet