Target Bioplastic Gift Cards

October 23rd, 2007 Alex

 Target is introducing a new bioplastic version of their gift card made out of Metabolix’s Mirel. This bioplastic is suppose to biodegrade and break down in only 40 days. The new cards will be available in 129 Target stores nationwide. The problem with corn based bioplastic however, is that it comes from conventionally-grown corn which includes the use of many pesticides and artificial fertilizers. I wonder why they are only rolling it out to 129 stores and not to all stores nationwide? My guess is that this is just a marketing plan to show that Target is being green. I am sure that using the special material costs a lot more than using regular plastic and that would be why they are limiting the production. We will see if Target will continue to produce more and implement the material in other products that they use in the store such as beverage and food containers.

via Treehugger

Entry Filed under: Environment