Taking the toxins out of your water bottle
SAN FRANCISCO--That plastic sport water bottle could be bad for your health--at least according to start-up Green Harvest Technologies, which cites studies about harmful chemicals in petroleum-based plastics, and has developed an alternative, non-toxic and environmentally friendly plastic for making such bottles.
The company was one of several seeking venture backing at the Cleantech Forum, which took place here this week.
"The classic water bottles that are on the back of everybody's backpacks turn out to probably be, in addition to being made from oil, bad for your health," said Green Harvest Technologies CEO Greg Nelson.
Recent studies have highlighted examples of petroleum-based plastics leaching harmful chemicals and additives during use as food and beverage containers, according to Green Harvest Technologies (GHT) materials. This has raised legal discussions in San Francisco and in the European Union in terms of bans on certain products.
Ecofriendly household products are becoming a larger market. In Southern California, Cereplast makes a plastic from corn used in biodegradeable forks and knives, while HangerNetwork in New York makes biodegradeable coat hangers.
GHT's plastic will cost about the same as any other plastic materials used today, Nelson said. The company is not producing the plastic itself, just consumer products made from it.
The plastic "is also really good, believe it or not, for fabric," Nelson said. "For example T-shirts, socks, sheets can all be made out of this corn-based material." And apparently the biofabric is softer than cotton.
The company's material, however, isn't suited for all types of plastic containers. The material can't be recycled at a lot of recycling centers. Thus, the company is largely aiming to make reusable, sport-type bottles out of its materials, and not one-time water bottles.
But it takes money to make it happen. "This is day one to talk to investors," Nelson said, adding that he hopes to attract investors through the idea that his product will benefit both the environment and consumers' health.
The company plans to launch the first two product lines in 2008.
