Frito-Lay has introduced new 100% compostable packaging for its popular Sun Chips snacks made from plant-based materials, with the help of Memphis-based packaging firm Bryce Corp. This is a breakthrough in more sustainable food packaging that can protect the product and then be renewed by nature. While previously only one-third of Sun Chips bags used renewable materials, now the same size bags are fully compostable. If successful, Frito-Lay aims to extend this packaging to all sizes of Sun Chips by the end of 2010.

1. 8 GOING GREEN | Sunday, February 7, 2010 commercialappeal.com
Introducing compostable packages
“Frito-Lay is the largest
Sun Chips bags now plant-based producer of salty snack
packaging in the U.S.
By Suzanne Thompson They have been working
Special to Going Green with us on this idea of
sustainability, along with
Frito-Lay, with the help Wal-Mart, for three
of Memphis-based Bryce years,” Bryce said.
Corp., has found a way to His company deals
ensure that its empty with complex materials in
chip bags don’t hang producing packaging, be-
around forever. The idea cause of the requirements
is that after the consumer for food storage. Grocery
eats the chips, the earth bags — paper or plastic
eats the bag. — are made from simpler
Last month, Frito-Lay material and are readily
introduced new packag- recyclable.
ing for its popular Sun “Our products typically
Chips snacks. are products that are
Previously, one-third of “It’s a novel, but very
more complex,” Bryce
the Sun Chips 10 ½ oz. complex idea.”
said. “Salty snacks are a
bag used renewable, Compostable packag-
large portion of our prod-
plant-based materials. ing is something Bryce
uct line, a lot of candy,
Now, those same size has been interested in de-
cookies, crackers, those
bags are made of 100 per- veloping for some time,
kinds of products. They
cent compostable materi- but certain factors were
need shelf life and light
als, at least in some mar- involved in ensuring suc-
protection as well as oxy-
kets. cess.
gen and moisture protec-
“This is sort of a break- “It takes a commitment
tion.”
through, landmark type of research and develop-
Frito-Lay pledged on
approach to food product ment and a major client
Earth Day 2009 to have
packaging for it to have a like Frito-Lay that is also
at least one of its prod-
way to protect the prod- committed,” said Mark
ucts in a 100 percent
uct before it gets to the Montsinger, Bryce vice
compostable package
consumer, and then be re- president of research and
within a year.
newable back into na- development.
Brad Rodgers, manager
ture,” said Thomas “They clearly have an
of research and develop-
Bryce, chairman of Bryce interest in bringing more
ment in charge of sustain-
Corp., a leading food sustainable packaging to
ability for Frito-Lay, said
packaging firm. their consumers.”

2. The Commercial Appeal Sunday, February 7, 2010 | GOING GREEN 9
the compostable pack- ments that plastic prod- ing facilities and divert
aging was first intro- ucts have to meet in them from landfills,
duced in the Texas order to disintegrate Mojo said.
market, and is sched- and become fully Mojo said there is a
uled to be on the biodegradable in a com- rise in the number of
shelves of Sam’s Club posting process. products that meet the
stores nationally by The products must certification standards.
Earth Day (April 22). be tested in indepen- In 2009, 85 products
Depending on public dent, approved labora- have earned certifica-
response, the compa- tion, up from 60 cer-
ny may broaden pro- tifications issued in
duction of the com- 2008.
postable packaging. The distinction be-
“It is certainly our tween compostable
hope and intent to and biodegradable is
extend the packag- tricky and can be
ing to all sizes of the tories. Data is reviewed misleading.
product by the end of by experts and then the “People have the mis-
2010 or the beginning BPI enters into a licens- conception that
of 2011,” Rodgers said. ing agreement that biodegradable products
Steve Mojo, execu- gives the company that are thrown into the
tive director of the seeking certification the trash and go to a land-
Biodegradable Products right to use the BPI fill will disappear.
Institute (BPI), said he trademark and have That’s just not the
is working with Frito- them listed on the BPI case,” Mojo said.
Lay to get their bags Web site www.bpi-
For a time lapse video of
certified as meeting the world.org. the compostable bag’s
American Standards of The goal of all this is decomposition, go to
Test Methods (ASTM) to encourage people in http://www.sunchips.com/
D6400 specification. communities around healthier_planet.shtml?s=
the world to send their content_compostable_
The D6400 specifica- packaging.
tion outlines require- food scraps to compost-
Just one thing
We all know that bringing our own reusable canvas tote bags to the grocery
store is the greenest choice. But if you want heavy-duty, extra-tough bags that
can hold a lot of groceries, then look no further than your local sporting goods
store. Large, sturdy totes designed to haul sporting equipment will do an extra-
good job carrying heavy groceries, too. Tip: When bagging glass bottles, pack
them on their sides, not upright; you’ll be able to fit more in the bag, and they
won’t tip over in the car ride home.