As some look for more sustainable alternatives to conventional single-use foodservice packaging, Better Earth says some first-generation compostable products have failed to use rapidly renewable raw materials that store carbon and cycle nutrients into soil that has been depleted by traditional agricultural practices.
To address that issue, the company launched its first compostable foodservice packaging to pursue domestic sourcing of perennial grasses that regenerate soil and sequester one ton of carbon per acre, per year, according to a news release.
Better Earth said the expanded the availability of its Climate Smart Packaging line, specifically the Farmer's Fiber Collection, is central to its sustainability strategy. The Farmer's Fiber Collection uses perennial grasses like miscanthus and switchgrass to create molded fiber packaging, Better Earth’s Vice President of Sustainability Savannah Seydel said in the release.
"The beautiful thing about perennials is that they only need to be planted once," Seydel said. "and they can reap profits for a farmer and benefit the soil for decades to come. Their hardy root systems grow underground, cycling nutrients and sequestering carbon into the soil year after year."
Seydel added that the company's commitment to closed-loop systems is key.
"We start at the beginning and think about using naturally regenerative, plant-based materials," Seydel said. "We design packaging with the end of life in mind, going through rigorous third-party certification to ensure our products break down in 90 to 180 days in a commercial composting facility."
Better Earth says its partnerships with composters, their circularity coordinator and their comprehensive compost infrastructure database demonstrate its holistic approach to driving change.
"We try, from a full supply chain perspective, to ensure that we're closing the loop and providing access to those types of solutions," Seydel said.
According to the company, the climate-smart Farmer's Fiber Collection:
- Is made from a blend of rapidly renewable perennial grasses like miscanthus, switchgrass and sorghum, which improve soil health, sequester carbon and can be grown on underutilized land to boost farmers' income.
- Is produced through a manufacturing process that uses nearly 60% clean renewable energy, and all remaining emissions are offset through the company's regenerative carbon offsets strategy in partnership with Cloverly.
- Benefits over 40 southeastern U.S. farmers and landowners with long-term contracts, aiding rural growth and job creation.
- Is manufactured locally in Tennessee, unlike some molded fiber products that are imported, enhancing the local economy.
- Supports a closed-loop system that includes commercial compostability of used packaging and manufacturing byproducts as compost to enrich agricultural land.
B Corp certification
Better Earth also announced it has received B Corp certification, saying the accreditation underscores its dedication to transparency, social and environmental leadership and regenerative circularity within the restaurant and foodservice industries.
As part of the B Corp certification, Better Earth said it will donate a portion of profits to initiatives that promote regenerative agriculture, waste reduction and carbon drawdown. It has also restructured its business to become a Public Benefit LLC, formally incorporating its social and environmental mission. The leadership team, shareholders and employees are united in acommitment to foster a positive impact on the environment and society, the company said.
"Achieving B Corp certification is a significant milestone in our journey toward a sustainable future," Better Earth CEO Joseph Bild said in the release. "Our comprehensive sustainability plan includes an Employee Equity program, cultivating the development of composting infrastructure and an unwavering commitment to reinvigorating the land that produces our packaging."
"Achieving B Corp certification underscores Better Earth's steadfast vision and mission from the outset," Seydel said. "The introduction of our Climate Smart Packaging collection marks just the beginning of our efforts to propel the foodservice industry towards a regenerative, circular future."
