MINNETONKA, Minn. — A reusable and fully compostable bag made from tapioca root is being used by member-owned natural food co-op Lakewinds here.
Made by Tirta Marta, the Ecoplas bags join bags made from recycled paper. Lakewinds eliminated the use of plastic from its checkstands last year.
The tapioca bags are a better choice than paper since their carbon footprint is smaller, according to Lakewinds officials. Tapioca root is grown without use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides, the plant requires minimal irrigation and absorbs high levels of carbon dioxide, they said.
Tapioca root producers also benefit from Tirta Marta's commitment to Fair Trade and Fair Labor practices.
"The Ecoplas bag represents a great sustainable alternative to paper bags and is representative of what our members and shoppers want in our stores," said Penni Ruben, Lakewinds' director of operations, in a statement.
The new bags will biodegrade in 12 weeks when put into home compost, while the typical plastic bag can take 1,000 years or more, according to the retailer.
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