Primo Water FAQ

What advantages does PRIMO offer vs. PET bottles?

• Nearly 1 in 5 bottled water consumers have significantly reduced their bottled water purchases due to issues they have with PET and the environment – now there is PRIMO.
• PRIMO bottles are made from plants, not crude oil; saving a valuable resource and reducing our dependence on foreign oil. Plants are renewable forever; oil will be exhausted. 
• PRIMO bottles emit 80-90% less greenhouse gas emissions than petroleum based bottles (PET). Because of unique manufacturing properties, PRIMO requires 65% less fossil fuels, 45% less energy demand and 36% less water to produce.  These figures account for practices from farm to bottle.
• PRIMO bottles can be recycled, commercial composted in <90 days or incinerated for energy recovery. PET bottles cannot be composted.
• PRIMO bottles contain a “light signature” which allows recyclers to use either of the two sorting methodologies: existing infrared sorters or inexpensive visual sorting utilizing black lights. (Top)

Are PRIMO bottles recyclable following conventional practices?

• YES! PRIMO bottles can and should be recycled. 
• PRIMO bottles contain a “light signature” which allows recycling facilities to use existing infrared sorters. For other recycling facilities, an inexpensive black light could be used to aid visual sorting, if desired. 
• NatureWorks LLC has instituted a buy-back program in North America for post-consumer PLA bottles.  Through this program, commercial Municipal Recycling Facilities (MRFs) can separate post-consumer PLA bottles into distinct bales meeting a predefined specification. 
• NatureWorks LLC will buy these bales and route them to an appropriate end-of-life solution and/or post-consumer use. (Top)

What if my recycler says they only take 1 and 2’s?

• The beginning of life benefits for PRIMO are compelling – our bottles are made from plants, not crude oil. 
• PRIMO bottles emit 80-90% less greenhouse gas emissions than traditional petroleum based bottles (PET), and because of unique manufacturing properties, requires 65% less fossil fuels, 45% less energy demand and 36% less water to produce.  These figures account for practices from farm to bottle.
• APR (Association of Post Consumer Plastic Recyclers) is recommending that recyclers take ALL plastics bottles, 1 – 7, as a way to get U.S. rates up beyond our mid-20% range, significantly behind most developing nations. (Top)

There is no infrastructure to handle bio-plastics composting – what is the future strategy for this challenge?

• We encourage those seeking composting sites to evaluate a comprehensive list of composting options at: www.findacomposter.com
• In select regions (i.e. West Coast with states such as Washington and California taking the lead) options are available. 
• Note universities such as Ohio University (http://www.ohio.edu/outlook/07-08/August/673.cfm) have taken on the issue of food service and composting by themselves.  (Top)

What if I don’t have access to commercial composting?

• Recycle all plastic bottles. Your recycler should take them, and will once PRIMO volume shows up in a particular market to a detectable level. 
• PRIMO bottles are unique (vs. PET) because they have multiple recovery options; recycling, commercial composting or incineration.  
• (Top)

Does PLA contaminate the waste stream?

• Today, less than 1MM pounds of PLA are currently in production relative to the 5.7B pounds of PET produced annually. 
• A material would “contaminate” the waste stream if it isn’t sorted. Dozens and dozens of types of material are sorted today. As stated, PLA can be sorted, regardless of methodology, and affords the recycler nice economics once detectable levels are achieved. (Top)

What if the PRIMO bottle ends up in a landfill?

• The beginning of life benefits for PRIMO are compelling – our bottles are made from plants, not crude oil. But even if PRIMO ends up in a landfill, like 75% of all beverage bottles do today, choosing PRIMO is a much better option since it is made from a renewable resource. 
• PRIMO bottles emit 80-90% less greenhouse gas emissions than traditional petroleum based bottles (PET), and because of unique manufacturing properties, requires 65% less fossil fuels, 45% less energy demand and 36% less water to produce  These figures account for practices from farm to bottle.
• All plastic bottles should be recycled and not thrown in a landfill.
• We must do everything we can to improve our country recycling rates regardless of the material a bottle is made from. (Top)

Outside of the environmental benefits, what impact can serving PRIMO Water have on my business?

• In a 2008 study, Morgan Stanley identified that 16% of consumers are reducing bottled water consumption for environmental reasons.
• The study also stated that tap water consumption is 50% higher among consumers who are reducing bottle beverage consumption. 
• The bottled water category is experiencing the slowest growth rate since 1991.
• What that means for you is lost revenue and a negative hit to both your top and bottom line P&L . (Top)

Is corn the only plant used to make Ingeo™? How will this affect corn prices?

• NatureWorks has developed Ingeo™ resins using sugar beets, sugar cane and other sources of sugar. 
• The source of the dextrose we use is corn (maize) known as “Number 2 Yellow Dent,” the most common corn variety, with more than 80% of the crop grown in the United States to feed animals. 
• No. 2 Yellow Dent corn can also be used to make food products like dextrose and fructose (used as sweeteners in a wide range of food products).
• At full capacity, the NatureWorks production facility in Blair, Nebraska, U.S.A. will produce 300 million pounds (340,200 metric tons) of corn (15% moisture) are required. The total 2004 U.S. corn for grain production was: 11.8 billion bushels or 661 billion pounds (1 bu = 1 bushel = 56 pounds = 25.4 kg). So, at full capacity NatureWorks will use 0.11% of the total corn for grain production in the USA — less than one fifth of one percent. (Top)

Is your cap bio-degradable?

• PRIMO bottles can be commercially composted.  Commercial composters screen all waste material for contaminates.  
• Specifically, there are several companies developing a cap made from Ingeo™ resin. (Top)

What evidence do you have that consumers will react favorably to bio-resin packaging?

• Today, PRIMO is available in grocery retailers and foodservice operations in 48 states across America. 
• The message behind the NatureWorks brand and those products which are made from Ingeo™, like PRIMO, resonates well with all consumers of ready-to-drink beverages. 
• Foodservice operators, retailers and brand owners are associating with sustainable, environmentally friendly packaging to capture consumers’ attention and drive sales. (Top)

I heard that NatureWorks is buying back the recycled Ingeo™ based products like PRIMO Water. What are the details? Does this mean Ingeo™ based products are already 100% recyclable? 

• NatureWorks LLC has instituted a buy-back program in North America for post-consumer PLA bottles.  Through this program, commercial Municipal Recycling Facilities (MRFs) can separate post-consumer PLA bottles into distinct bales. NatureWorks LLC will buy these bales and route them to an appropriate end-of-life solution and/or post-consumer use. (Top)

• What advantages does PRIMO offer vs. PET bottles?
   
• Are PRIMO bottles recyclable following conventional practices?
   
• What if my recycler says they only take 1 and 2’s?
   
• There is no infrastructure to handle bio-plastics composting – what is the future strategy for this challenge?
   
• What if I don’t have access to commercial composting?
   
• Does PLA contaminate the waste stream?
   
• What if the PRIMO bottle ends up in a landfill?
   
• Outside of the environmental benefits, what impact can serving PRIMO Water have on my business?
   
• Is corn the only plant used to make Ingeo™? How will this affect corn prices?
   
• Is your cap bio-degradable?
   
• What evidence do you have that consumers will react favorably to bio-resin packaging?
   
• I heard that NatureWorks is buying back the recycled Ingeo™ based products like PRIMO Water. What are the details? Does this mean Ingeo™ based products are already 100% recyclable?