Corntainer F.A.Q.


Is this product really made out of corn?

Absolutely.

Using a corn yield of 130 bushels per acre, we can produce about 54,000 bottles per acre of corn.

NATUREWORKS® LLC purchases corn and under intense heat, reduces the corn to polyactide acid (“PLA”). 100 bushels of corn are required per 1 metric ton of NATUREWORKS ® PLA.

NATUREWORKS® PLA is the worlds first commercially available greenhouse-gas-neutral polymer. By achieving zero greenhouse gas emissions, fossil fuel consumption is decreased by 65% compared to traditional plastic.

The polymer is sent to a preform manufacturer who prepares preforms that can be molded into final products such as Corntainer Corps’ 250MML bottles.


Why use containers made from PLA?

  • Corntainer Corps’ bottles are made from corn and are compostable.
  • The raw material used is 100% renewabe.
  • The raw material is purchased from U.S. farmers.
  • Money spent to purchase this bottle stays in the U.S.A.
  • Bottles degrade in a commercial compost in 80 days.
  • No petroleum is used in the product.
  • The corn polymer is greenhouse-gas-neutral.


Will the container degrade during normal use?

Natureworks® PLA is actually compostable as opposed to biodegradable. This means that it takes specific conditions of heat and moisture for the bottle to degrade. These conditions are present in a commercial compost. However like p.e.t. plastic it may misshape or warp in high heat conditions like a closed car in the summer.


Will the water taste like corn?

No, rest assured that the water will taste exactly as it should. Our Corntainer bottle will not leach any taste into the water.


How much corn is used to make the bottle?

At a yield of 130 bushels per acre , about 47,000 bottles can be made from one acre of corn.


Where can I find a commercial compost?

Simply take a look at this Compost Facilities document.


How should I wash the bottle?

Wash the bottle with warm (not hot) water with white vinegar or baking soda. Do not place in a dishwasher.


Are there any GMO products used in the manufacture of PLA?

The manufacturer purchases dextrose from Cargill. Cargill buys a mixed stream of corn which may include either organic or genetically modified corn products in the mix. Even if the corn may have come from GMO seed, there is no genetic material present in the dextrose as it is destroyed in the manufacturing process. Neither Corntainer corp nor New Wave Enviro Products Inc supports GMO products. New Wave Enviro Products Inc. contributes 3% of the gross profits from the sale of the bottle to Organic Farming Organizations.


Why create the Corntainer Corporation?

Corntainers Corp was organized in response to a need for developed countries to reduce their addiction to petroleum. It is our belief that over use of petroleum is bad for our economy and for our eco system. Numerous companies have been organized recently to produce automotive fuel from renewable resources. Our goal is to produce any and all consumer products from non-petroleum renewable resources.

Our first product is a 250MM bottle.

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