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 Added value :  A communication tool that distinguishesAdds value to your company’s imageAnticipation of future normsA reduction in the volume of the distributed bags |
about usPalapas BioApply is a Geneva-based company, specialized in biodegradable bags, packaging and accessories. It was founded in 2005. Our objective is to create practical and economically viable solutions for ecological alternatives to plastic packaging and petroleum-derived products using renewable, biodegradable and compostable materials of vegetable origin. Plastic bags and packaging constitute a true problem for the environment because their consumption is so great. In Europe, the average consumption of plastic is greater than 40 kg per person per year. In Switzerland, 850'000 tons of plastic were used in 2004 (OZD), and more than 500' 000 tons wound up in landfills (KVS), and some even ended up in compost environments. More than 50% of packaging is made of plastic (DREE, 2004). The food and distribution industries are among the main consumers of plastic. 
Every day, millions of bags are given to customers in supermarkets, in general stores and in shops, in both rural areas and urban ones. These disposable plastic bags have an average lifespan of less than one hour and it takes them nearly 400 years to biodegrade! Many of these bags end up in incinerators, releasing toxic gases. Such gases worsen the total ecological impact of these products derived from petroleum, a non-renewable resource.
The plastic bags that are widely available are often made of high density polyethylene (HDPE). The production of this plastic needs oil, water, and contributes to polluting the atmosphere. Although one can often read on bags that HDPE bags are less harmful to the environment, or "or that polyethylene products do not cause toxic chemical reactions during incineration or other destruction processes", that does not mean that the incineration or destruction of these bags is harmless to the environment. Indeed, the incineration generates greenhouse gases and contributes to atmospheric acidification and photochemical oxidant formation. A significant part of these products ends up in natural environments, littering our landscapes. They constitute a potential risk for animals as they can be eaten and can potentially choke them. Palapas BioApply considered all of these factors and developed an alternative and effective line of products that fulfill the professional needs of its customers while limiting the harmful effects to the environment. All BioApply products are certified: of vegetable origin, 100% biodegradable, 100% compostable, 100% GMO-free and 100% unleaded. The labels obtained, as well as the EN13432 European norm guarantee the biodegradability of our bags. 
These bags are made with vegetable and renewable materials and biodegrade in 40 days in a compostable environment.
Various studies have concluded that biodegradable bags of vegetable origin have a less harmful impact on the environment than the plastic or paper alternatives *. For best results, the BioApply bag should be put into a compost heap. But even incinerated, its overall ecological assessment remains very largely superior to other similar products. From a practical point of view, with resistance in mind, Bioapply bags are of higher or equal quality than plastic ones**. The Palapas BioApply company has also associated itself with various foundations and NGOs in an effort to promote and generalize the use of this type of product throughout Switzerland and Europe. We still face structural obstacles as changing the mentality of the masses is a challenge. However, we are on the right track. Although the biodegradable alternative is relevant and positive for our environment, our number one objective still remains the reduction of our excessive consumption of bags. Palapas BioApply offers products such as the reusable bags with reinforced handles which has, as its name suggests, reinforced handles and it can be used numerous times for grocery shopping.  Summary  We favor the use of ecological packagingConsumers are ready. 83% of people are in favor of the total and immediate suppression of plastic bags "(Survey CSA 4/2005)
Other institutions are also ready. The European standard EN NF 13432 will be a reality in a few years.
Increase in the price of crude oil/technological advances in biopolymers
Global warming/ecological issuesGlobal market of biopolymers +30%/per year until 2016 (Source, Natureworks 2005)
* Study carried out by COMPOSTO, Olten, CH *9/98 “ Life Cycle Assessment of Mater-Bi Bags for the Collection of Compostable Waste ” Study carried out by Bio Intelligence Service, France, 5/05 “ Évaluation des impacts environnementaux des sacs de caisse ’” ** Study carried out by BIS/Carrefour Supermarkets, France, 6/05 “ Étude Comparative Sacs Mater Bi et Sacs Carrefour ” |
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