Ukraine's largest retail chain "ATB" is implementing a new eco-initiative: corn starch bags.
Ecology has become one of the main trends of the new century. For many countries around the world, priority is given to projects aimed at environmental protection, waste recycling, limiting the use of harmful plastics... Ukraine is also interested in environmental protection and makes its contribution. A key role in this is played by large socially oriented and patriotic businesses.
In March of this year, the country's largest retail chain, "ATB-Market", launched an unprecedented project for the sale of compostable (biodegradable) bags.
This product is manufactured by the Vietnamese company "Haplast" (TM "HapBio") from corn starch and biodegradable polymer. The enterprise - manufacturer of "ATB" bags under the "Ok compost HOME" mark - successfully passed the certification procedure at TUV Austria, which necessarily includes certification testing of raw materials and products in a European laboratory. This means that the material from which this type of packaging is made has the ability to quickly biodegrade. Even at home in a compost pit, under the influence of water, soil, air or sun, such a bag, with a thickness of 15 to 26 microns, will completely decompose within 12 months. At the same time, nature is not harmed, as the material is completely absorbed by microorganisms and becomes part of biohumus.
Innovative bags have already appeared in test mode in all stores of the domestic retail leader. They are marked with the inscription "Beginning of plastic-free bags" and decorated with an image of a corn cob. This is evidence that the "ATB" company has taken a step to overcome the difficult path of complete abandonment of plastic packaging!
"The trend for eco-friendliness is one of the most significant in the world today. It influences all spheres of human activity and shapes modern consumer patterns. That is why eco-consciousness for companies is becoming a necessity, as caring for the environment and ecology are among the sustainable development goals of any business. I am sure that the new bag will be an alternative to traditional plastic," wrote Borys Markov, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the "ATB" corporation, on his Facebook page. According to him, the company's further plans include the implementation and realization of new eco-initiatives.
Now, bags containing corn starch and biopolymer can be purchased in "ATB" chain stores throughout Ukraine. At the testing stage, they are presented in one size (30x50 cm) and can withstand a load of no more than seven kilograms. The cost of such innovative products is 3.5 UAH. It is formed on the basis of the purchase price of the goods, transport costs, customs payments, etc. The cost of raw materials for the production of these products is higher compared to polyethylene. The manufacturer has set the service life of such bags at 9 months.
The transition to using "Ok compost HOME" bags is not the first or only eco-initiative of the "ATB" company. For the most conscious citizens who have long since given up any bags, "ATB-Market" offers convenient reusable eco-bags that, when folded, easily fit into a pocket or a car's glove compartment.
Since April 2019, "ATB-Market" has fully transitioned to selling "green" bags containing the oxo-biodegradable additive d2w™ — it helps accelerate the breakdown of the polymer macromolecule into low-molecular-weight fragments.
Just a year later, another eco-project was launched in the stores of the leader of the Ukrainian retail industry — along with bags, customers were offered special cardboard boxes. They are convenient and spacious. Such a box can easily hold up to 25 kg of products, and quite compactly. This type of packaging has become very popular among those who come to "ATB" by car for shopping. The boxes are made of dense cardboard, so after use, they can be completely disposed of or recycled.
Given the scale of the business — 1214 stores in different parts of 24 regions of Ukraine and more than four million customers daily — it can be said that the transition to using innovative, environmentally safe types of packaging will be massive. By choosing eco-packaging, each of us can contribute to environmental preservation.
Источник <https://poltava.to/news/60211/>