Does bottled water quench your thirst but not your guilt? American's $15 billion disposable water habit consumes 1.5 million barrels of oil a year and sends over 100 million bottles to the landfill each day.

That's where Biota Spring Water comes in. The Colorado company has developed biodegradable bottles made from corn instead petroleum. The question is--are they really any better for the environment?


Well, maybe. The bottles degrade in approximately 75 to 80 days, but require "commercial composting conditions" to do so. This generally means a steady temperature of 140 degrees which rules out most home composting bins.

There are ways to make the product decompose more rapidly. Ken Dunn of the Resource Center in Chicago grinds the plastic down into small bits before placing it in the compost. But Dunn believes the problem with bioplastics starts at the farm--not the bin.

Growing corn requires petroleum to fuel tractors and create fertilizer. And an increase in the demand for the crop may cause more land clearing, which could itself hasten global warming.

"Bioplatics are at best a transitional technology until people get over the idea of cheap, easy, disposable plastic bottles," Dunn said. "We need to focus on consuming less and recycling more--even if it is biodegradable."

Bottom line: A better plastic ain't that much better.


Got a thirst for a better alternative? Choose a reusable water bottle to help you hydrate. Find out which kind is right for you here. Want to hear more about Biota's new technology? Visit their website.

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