Photo courtesy of Innovative Bottles
Bioplastics company Innovative Bottles develops sustainable vials and other medical supplies made from biodegradable, plant-based plastics, making the healthcare industry healthier for people and the planet.
According to the company, the main component of the eco-friendly bottle is polylactic acid (PLA), a renewable plastic obtained from plants such as corn, sugarcane, tapioca, etc. This medical product is also environmentally friendly as it helps patients reduce single-use plastic waste since the plastic is not made from polluting fuels such as oil and gas.
As reported by PlasticsToday, Innovative Bottles began using PLA from supplier TotalEnergies Corbion, a joint venture between global multi-energy company TotalEnergies and biochemicals manufacturer Corbion, earlier this year.
The sugarcane-based bioplastic, called Luminy PLA, is 100% plant-based, compostable, and recyclable, a significant improvement over traditional plastics. What’s more, Innovative Bottles’ FDA-approved products made with Luminy PLA require 42% less energy to produce than carbon-based medical supplies.
According to a news release from TotalEnergies Corbion, the U.S. healthcare industry produces approximately six million tons of waste each year, half of which is single-use plastic. Finding sustainable healthcare solutions is crucial as the plastic pollution crisis reaches a tipping point.
Innovative Bottles CEO Joseph Salerno told PlasticsToday, “Our patented design provides all the form, fit and function of plastic, but without the environmental damage. Our products are eco-friendly, and reducing traditional plastics is one of the leading environmental actions of our time.”
Our bio-based healthcare heroes are also helping make cooler, cleaner air possible: Luminy PLA produces 75% less carbon pollution than traditional products, which means less heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere that contribute to extreme weather.
Moreover, sugarcane-based plastics meet all safety and performance standards, ensuring patients receive reliable care with high-quality products.
Innovative Bottles is the first company to offer a sustainable solution for plastic prescription vials and other disposable medical devices in the U.S. The company says biodegradable plastics can “degrade faster than an orange peel.”
While being able to toss prescription medicine bottles in your compost bin may seem like a pretty far-fetched idea, it’s further evidence that we’re on the cusp of a paradigm shift in how we live, work, and interact with the natural world. Plant-based medical products are just one of the inventions that will bring about a healthier tomorrow.
“By combining innovative technology with renewable materials, we are addressing the urgent need for sustainability in the healthcare sector and paving the way for a greener future,” Salerno said in a news release.
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