Guayakí Switches to Biodegradable Bags and Saves

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SEBASTOPOL, Calif. -- Guayakí, a provider of organic, free trade yerba maté products, has switched from plastic bags for some of its products, opting instead for biodegradable cellophane packaging.

The company's San Mateo and Traditional yerba maté (a tea-like drink prepared with leaves and stems from the yerba maté tree) now come in bags made with two layers of cellophane, water-based inks and a microscopic layer of aluminum.

Guayakí is using Innovia Films' NatureFlex cellophane, which is derived from wood pulp sourced from plantations that follow sustainable forestry principles such as those laid out by the Forest Stewardship Council or equivalent certifications.

One layer of cellophane, which is completely biodegradable and compostable, is coated with a microscopic layer of aluminum to keep out light, oxygen and moisture. The aluminum makes up only .02 percent of the bag and oxidizes into the inert and non-toxic substance aluminum oxide when the bag decomposes.

According to Guayakí, the bags can be composted or degrade in home compost bins, commercial composting facilities or even on the ground.

The company previously bagged its yerba maté in plastic bags with plastic logo stickers. The switch brought their costs down about 4 cents per unit. The labor is slightly higher because of multiple folds and heat sealing for the new bags, though Guayakí's Creative Director Steven Karr says the additional labor is far worthwhile.

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