Biodegradable

AQUAMANTRA knows how important it is to provide solutions for earth’s challenges and we take our role in co-creating a healthy planet very seriously. Our new biodegradable bottles are not made of corn starch (PLA), they are created using a state-of-the-art process having the same properties as traditional PET plastic and can 100% be recycled. They will biodegrade in a compost environment or an aerobic environment; like your backyard or dirt, can break down in as little as 250 days. In a microbial environment like the ocean or landfill our bottles will biodegrade in 1-5 years. How? The FDA approved organic additive placed next to the PET bond is an attractant for microbes. Only when the bottle is placed in that environment will they recognize the plastic as a food source, like candy to a baby. This bottle will not break down on the shelf or in your home. This plastic is genius.

We are proudly leading the way with viable solutions to change the bottled water landscape. We do not encourage littering, only recycling - but if it ends up in the trash, you can rest your heart easy, you are not part of the problem anymore . . . YOU are the solution.

Please vote with your dollars and enjoy your favorite bottled water again with ease, joy and glory!

The Guilt free water bottle has arrived…

AQUAMANTRA® Premium Natural Spring Bottled Water now available in an Earth Friendly 100% Biodegradable - Recyclable - PET Bottle

Dana Point, CA – July 15, 2009 - The controversy over bottled water is of good merit. We should all want to do what’s right by our planet, not just for ourselves but for future generations. What has been brought to overwhelming awareness is the alarming amount of plastic bottles that are delivered, used and then tossed away every day. Take notice of how many plastic bottles you see on the street, in trash cans, even piled up in your own recycle bin! Where do they all go? Can they all be recycled? What do you the consumer need to know about the bottled water you are drinking then disposing of? Start by knowing this… AQUAMANTRA Premium Natural Spring Bottled Water is now packaged in the latest earth friendly fashion… 100% Biodegradable and 100% Recyclable PET bottles from ENSO.

Finally, the technology for a better bottle is here. AQUAMANTRA’s creator and President, Alexandra Teklak along with her team of conscious advisors have been on a thorough investigative search in the packaging industry since her company launched in June of 2006 in Whole Foods, to find a container that complimented her Gold Award winning water. Their challenge to find the perfect combination of a bottle that could be sustainable, convenient yet still maintain a clear enough appearance to view AQUAMANTRA’s unique artwork through the bottle began in early 2007. Alexandra needed a solution to meet the needs of her conscious consumers and retail partners who were seeking a creative alternative to standard PET for an environmental crisis. On July 8th, 2009, AQUAMANTRA was proud to introduce the world’s first 100% Biodegradable 100% Recyclable and 100% Compostable plastic PET bottle at the Whole Foods in Tustin, California.

“AQUAMANTRA’s mission from the beginning was to raise consciousness in humanity” says founder, Alexandra Teklak, she goes on to state “I wanted people to know that we don’t just talk the talk, we are not about green-washing — we are authentic in our quest to provide our consumers the opportunity to be a part of the solution, and that too is raising consciousness about how they impact the world.” AQUAMANTRA’s innovative use of ENSO Bottles™ is new to the beverage industry by a few fantastic factors:
Biodegradable and Recyclable and replaces all of their current plastic in both the 1L size and the 500mL.

The revolutionary ENSO Bottles used by AQUAMANTRA are the first truly biodegradable, compostable and recyclable PET bottles on the market today and Alexandra wants everyone to know about it. Once deposited in a landfill an organic additive with a swelling agent opens up the PET (plastic) bond inside each new AQUAMANTRA bottle. An added microbial attractant then helps facilitate microbial colonization on the plastic. Once microbes have colonized on the plastic they begin to break down the PET bond through atomic reorganization using some of the atoms as energy leaving behind either methane (anaerobic) or CO2 (aerobic) and inert humus. Currently, this process will take from one to five years, depending on the microbial environment, but according to ENSO’s third party testing it could be as early as 10-months, however, it is more likely 1 -5 years. .

AQUAMANTRA’s new bottles are also compostable and will biodegrade in a compostable environment in just 250 days. There have been other biodegradable products on the market that were also compostable like PLA (corn-based) bottles, but these containers were not readily recyclable, a major issue for AQUAMANTRA. Products that are labeled ‘compostable’ must enter an industrial composting facility in order for it to fully degrade into organic matter, but the ENSO Bottle™ can go into any compost environment and doesn’t require commercial composting. Too often PLA bottles end up in the landfill thus requiring the same amount of time as regular PET plastic to decompose. Remember, PLA plastics need to be at a consistent temperature of 60 C (140 F) for at least two weeks in order to reach the “glass transition” stage where they are able to begin to break down. PLA needs to be deposited in required conditions to break them down therefore you can’t bury PLA in the ground, nor the ocean and on top of that this corn based product uses more petroleum to manufacture than regular PET.

Lastly, AQUAMANTRA’s new bottles are recyclable which helps everyone, saves energy and won’t mess up the recycling stream when they are recycled regardless of where they end up unlike PLA and PET plastic bottles. The caps and labels on AQUAMANTRA’s bottles are the only components that are not biodegradable, however, they are recyclable which is why it is important that everyone continue to be a part of the solution and recycle. Look for all materials to be biodegradable in 2010, ENSO is working diligently on bringing the additive to all plastic materials.

It seems like a lot to digest, but so does our current environmental crisis. Think of it like that scene from Superman where the hero has to use all his energy to reverse the direction of earth to save the love of his life, Lois Lane. Well AQUAMANTRA is that superhero and we’re reversing the damage one ENSO bottle at a time. We are moving into a critical new arena with everyone getting on the green-band wagon. Companies are eagerly looking for ways to make their products eco-friendly and consumers are becoming aware of their impact on the planet. Teklak states “I started Aquamantra to make an impact on the world, wanting to leave it better than when I arrived. AQUAMANTRA’s intent is to leave a lasting impression on everyone who drinks our water, and now people can vote with their dollars and make their own impact. We just made it easier for the AQUAMANTRA consumer to make a difference by purchasing a product in a container that is better for our Earth, thus better for our soul.” With all the controversy around tap, bottled water and filtration it all comes down to one choice, yours. Choose what is rewarding for you, a healthy for the planet and tastes good too- cheers to AQUAMANTRA!

Interested in reading more or seeing videos about this process?