There are more sustainable brands to choose from than ever and increasing green claims from companies about their products. It can be difficult understanding which brands are truly making a difference and which are jumping on a trend. If you didn’t already know how to spot greenwashing, certifications like the USDA’s BioPreferred Program also help to give transparency to customers. Natracare are recognised as a ‘pioneer’ in the BioPreffered program which promotes biobased products in order to reduce reliance on oil and petroleum-based plastics. So, what does it mean to be a pioneer and why are biobased products vital for building a sustainable future?
What are biobased products?
Biobased products are products primarily made of plant-based aka biological origin. They offer an alternative to conventional petroleum derived products because they’re made from ingredients mainly derived from plants and other renewable materials from agricultural, marine, and forest sources.
Why are biobased products good?
Biobased products can be kinder to the planet as they avoid using finite petroleum derived materials. The reason petroleum-based ingredients are damaging is they’re made from fossil fuel-based carbon. Fossil fuels and old carbon resources are a finite resource linked to devastating pollution and contributing to global warming. Biobased products provide a viable alternative using ‘new or recent’ organic carbon materials.
What is USDA Biobased Certification?
USDA Biobased certification measure biobased content in a product. This is measured by how much “new” or recent organic carbon is in a product compared to the amount of “old” organic carbon it contains. For example, a pine tree is 100% new carbon and is biobased, and a lump of coal is 0% new carbon and is not biobased. Created in 2002, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched its BioPreferred Program to measure and validate biobased content. It’s purpose is to help increase the use of renewable resources and reduce our reliance on petroleum. Companies that take part in the BioPreferred Program use third-party testing by the USDA to ensure that their products meet the biobased certified standards (ASTM D6866 test for measuring biobased content). If you see the logo, be reassured to know that the product has gone through rigorous testing to meet guidelines which help support more sustainable production methods.
Natracare were the first period products brand to be certified with the USDA Biobased certification – making us a BioPreferred Pioneer, as one of the ‘early adopters’ of the certification. This accolade demonstrates that since BioPreferred’s inception, Natracare has proudly committed to sustainability, health, and the highest ethical standards in all our products. Now the program has certified more than 2,500 products in 100 different product categories and continues to be a reputable label that incentivises many customers in their shopping choices.
What does this mean for the environment?
In simpler terms, biobased products displace around 300 million gallons of petroleum per year in the U.S, which is the equivalent of taking 200,000 cars off the road! The more we support biobased products, the less we rely on resources like fossil fuels, which contribute to climate change.
Some biobased materials help to create a circular economy as they can easily break down back into the soil with minimal harm. If the demand for bioproducts increase, more research and development will go into perfecting the processes: extraction, use and disposal. This will make them even more efficient, accessible, and sustainable. It’s a win, win for the environment but now is more critical than ever as the scarcity of oil means we have to find replacements, and fast.
Why are we Biobased certified?
Since 1989, Natracare has been committed to using natural and organic bio-based materials. We strive to inspire a circular economy that has little impact on the environment – and we refuse to make our products with petroleum-based plastic. For example, the leak-proof layer of our pads and liners is a certified biopolymer made from GM-free plant starch. This is a renewable resource, and a solution to waste disposal problems associated with traditional petroleum-derived plastics. This material is also used as a wrapper for some of our pads and liners.
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Using biobased materials also means that those with access to composting facilities are able to dispose of their products in a way that restores it back to the soil. For more information, check out our blog post on composting period products. Many Natracare pads and liners are also Seedling Mark compostable when disposed of correctly.
Choosing biobased period products is a small change that can make a HUGE difference towards positively impacting the environment and your body. If you’re unsure whether to support a product that claims to be sustainable, look out for reputable labels like the USDA’s Biobased Certification – or try to find out more about the brands ingredient list on their websites.
If you want to learn more about our certifications.
