Berlin Packaging, a leading full-service supplier of rigid packaging, will be a primary stocking supplier for the eco.bottle™, America’s first molded fiber bottle. A product of Ecologic Brands, Inc., the eco.bottle is a hybrid fiber-plastic product that uses up to 70% less plastic than traditional plastic bottles, with a molded fiber shell that is 100% recyclable and compostable.

The groundbreaking, patented container is well suited for a wide range of consumer products including pourable goods and beverages.

Just as innovative as the eco.bottle materials are its post-use recycling instructions. Simply split open the side of the fiber shell and the outer package separates. The fiber halves, made from old corrugated cardboard and newspapers, can be recycled up to seven more times; the SPI #4 (LDPE) inner pouch and closure system can be recycled along with plastic grocery bags in retailer drop-off bins.

The eco.bottle line is available in a 50-ounce size with a detergent-style dosing cap or twist cap, a 32-ounce size with a detergent-style dosing cap or twist cap, and a 64-ounce size with a 38-mm spout suited for orange juice and dairy products. The bottles will be available starting January 2012.

eco.bottle containers can be supplied fully assembled, requiring minimal filling line modification. They can also be supplied unassembled to the filler, allowing nine times more bottles to be shipped per truck than empty blow-molded bottles and providing significant inbound freight savings. Assembled and filled eco.bottle containers pass rigorous International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) performance testing.

Production cost for the eco.bottle currently carries a premium. Marketers who adopt the package can anticipate a future cost comparable to traditional packaging materials over the next 12-18 months as automation and production capacity build. Furthermore, retailers carrying eco.bottle products can create a closed loop system by funneling corrugated cardboard shipping materials from their loading docks back to the bottle manufacturer.  

Berlin Packaging
800-223-7546; www.BerlinPackaging.com   

Ecologic Brands
877-326-5642; www.ecologicbrands.com