Zero Waste Manufacturing
EcoCover Biodegradable Paper Mulch Mats

EcoCover biodegradable paper mulch mats are manufactured from up to 87-percent (by weight) waste paper.  Our manufacturing processes create zero waste.  We do not use or emit anything that is toxic.  Our products are organically certified and are used to improve plant growth, conserve soil moisture and suppress weed growth until they biodegrade into soil humus and food for earthworms and soil micro organisms that help to create natural soil fertility.

The Zero Waste International Alliance defines zero waste:

Zero Waste is a goal that is both pragmatic and visionary, to guide people to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are resources for others to use.  Zero Waste means designing and managing products and processes to reduce the volume and toxicity of waste and materials, conserve and recover all resources, and not burn or bury them.  Implementing Zero Waste will eliminate all discharges to land, water or air that may be a threat to planetary, human, animal or plant health.

With EcoCover, zero waste manufacturing is here now.

The Zero Waste International Alliance adopted the following Zero Waste Business Principles in 2005 to evaluate current and future Zero Waste policies and programs established by businesses and as the basis for evaluating the commitment of companies to achieve Zero Waste as well as to enable workers, investors, customers, suppliers, policymakers and the public in general to better evaluate the resource efficiency of companies.

1. Commitment to the triple bottom line
    
   The invention of EcoCover is based on the idea that social, environmental and economic performance standards are met together.  Read EcoCover's Principles of Sustainability.
    
2. Use Precautionary Principle
    
   EcoCover's products and processes are organically certified (or in the case of several new products, certifiable).  Our products have been subjected to extensive independent university research as well as IFOAM international certification standards.  The claims that we make about product performance are based on independently conducted research and trials.
    
3. Zero Waste to Landfill or Incineration
    
   This is a very lofty and worthy goal for manufacturers.  In the case of EcoCover, we take waste paper from the waste stream going to landfill and manufacture 100% biodegradable products that benefit agriculture, forestry, horticulture, landscaping and other plant growing endeavors.  Read about the impact of unsustainable plastic film mulch by comparison
    
4. Responsibility: Takeback Products and Packaging
    
   Most EcoCover products are shipped unpackaged, tied or bundled with natural fiber twine.  Cardboard cartons used to package our biodegradable EcoPins are recyclable.
    
5. Buy Reused, Recycled or Composted
    
   We use recycled content up to 87% by weight in our mulch mats.
    
6. Prevent Pollution and Reduce Waste
    
   EcoCover's supply, production and distribution systems are destined to reduce the use of natural resources and eliminate waste.  EcoCover manufacturing process emit no toxins, no VOCs.  We emit a little water vapor and modest amounts of CO2 from our drying ovens.
    
7. Highest and Best Use
    
   EcoCover biodegradable mulch mats are self composting adding organic material to sustain soils and help eliminate the use of chemical fertilizers and herbicides.  Our products can be used to reduce erosion and have been shown through research to do a better job of retaining soil moisture than unsustainable plastic sheeting or other forms of sheet mulch.
    
8. Use of Economic Incentives
    
   We encourage our customers, workers and suppliers to eliminate waste and maximize the reuse, recycling and composting of discarded materials.
    
9. Products or Services Sold Are Not Toxic or Wasteful
    
   EcoCover does not use or produce toxins.  Our products turn into earthworm castings and soil humus.
    
10. Use Non-Toxic Production, Reuse and Recycling Processes
     
    We do not use hazardous materials in our production.  We use waste paper and recycle any waste paper that is not suitable for our specifications.

Sustainable business consulting guru and the best selling author of "Natural Capitalism", Dr. Hunter Lovins, visited the EcoCover plant in Auckland during her speaking tour down under in July.  She observed closely the manufacturing process and visited with EcoCover key managers.  Hunter's conclusion:

 

 "EcoCover exemplifies every aspect of Natural Capitalism. It takes waste products and uses biological wisdom to create a product that displaces a petrochemical non renewable resource. The business hires previously unemployed people; the product significantly enhances food production; saves water; stops weeds; and makes money. EcoCover is very impressive."

 

To view Hunter's website: natcapsolutions

For more information about EcoCover and the opportunity, please contact EcoCover.

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