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Eco+ Grande™ Pot
Material
The Proven Winners® Eco+ Grande™ is an industrial compostable (ASTM D6400) garden pot, made out of PLA (polylactic acid). PLA is made from starchy renewable plants like corn, switchgrass, and sugar beets grown right here in the U.S. Starch from these materials is processed into a biopolymer that looks, acts, and performs like its traditional, cousin: petroleum-based plastics.
Proven Winners® Eco+ Grande™ has plant nutrients built right into the walls of the container. These organic nutrients are rich in phosphorus, calcium, and nitrogen. As Eco+ Grande™ breaks down, it releases these nutrients and proteins directly into the roots. This helps the plants grow bigger and faster all season long.
Planting and Peeling the Tabs
Ready to plant your Eco+ Grande™? Peel all 4 tabs off to allow the plant’s roots to develop properly. Then, transplant the entire Eco+ Grande™ and loose tabs into a larger planter or into the ground. Continue to water as needed.
STEP 1: PEEL
Peel the tabs off the pot and toss them into the planting hole where they will naturally degrade over time. The holes in the pot allow the roots to grow properly.
STEP 2: PLANT
Plant the entire Eco+ Grande™ in the ground. Yes, the whole darn thing. It’s made of natural, compostable materials!
STEP 3: WATER
Water your plant well after planting. Eco+ Grande™ will naturally disintegrate over time, helping to feed the plant’s roots with nitrogen, phosphorous, and calcium as it does so.
Eco+ Grande™ Benefits
Prevents stress to the plants by eliminating root disturbance since you can plant the entire plant and Eco+ Grande™ into the ground once the 4 tabs are peeled. With built-in nutrients in the walls of the Eco+ Grande™ container, you won’t have to worry about fertilizer run-off – in addition to remembering to feed your plants weekly!
What happens if parts of my Eco+ Grande™ are still left after the growing season?
Since every gardening environment is different, your Eco+ Grande™ may break down into very small pieces over a growing season or you may have larger segments of your Eco+ Grande™ left. Any product that is still recognizable can be tilled up for nutrients for your next growing season.
Can Eco+ Grande™ go into my local industrial composting bin?
If your area supports industrial composting and you do not want to plant your Eco+ Grande™ in the ground or till it up for next year, you can absolutely put it in your curbside compost bin that gets picked up for industrial composting. This process is where the industrial composter takes and manages all the organics from plant-based plastics, food waste, yard waste, etc., and puts them into windrows. These windrows get to 160 degrees and help break everything down into usable compost. These containers have been tested by a 3rd party and certified for industrial composting, achieving ASTM D6400 standards.
Remember, these plant-based PLA products continue to get smaller and smaller until microbes consume them and turn them back into inert organic products.
How long do Eco+ Grande™ containers last above ground with plant/soil in them?
The Eco+ Grande™ container begins to break down with a combination of heat and moisture so it’s advisable to plant them as soon as you’re able to allow your plants to flourish.
How is plastic made from plants?
Instead of drilling deep into the earth for oil to make plastics, scientists have found a way to break down plants into natural sugars which then can be used to produce a new breed of Earth-friendly plastics called PLA (polylactic acid).
Are the Eco+ Grande™ nutrients safe?
Yes! All Eco+ Grande™ nutrients are natural and organic. Our products are California Prop 65 compliant and all materials are responsibly compounded in the US.
Where are Eco+ Grande™ containers actually made?
Eco+ Grande™ containers are proudly designed, manufactured, and assembled responsibly in Stillwater, MN.
What is the shelf life of Eco+ Grande™ if they are empty not being used?
If you keep them out of the heat, direct sunlight, and moisture, we would estimate a few years. Heat and moisture are the cause of the Eco-Pots breaking down.
What happens if I throw my Eco+ Grande™ into the Landfill?
Do not worry. Eco+ Grande™ containers will break down faster in the landfill than the traditional petroleum garden pots. Plus, we didn’t need to drill for oil to produce it.
I noticed some Eco+ Grande™ are lighter in color than others. Is this okay?
Yes, not a problem at all. Since Eco+ Grande™ containers are made from natural materials, there are sometimes variances in the coloration of the PLA material. This will not impact the performance of the Eco+ Grande™, nor deter plants from growing properly.
Will the corn in the pots effect ones allergies?
Triggers of allergic responses are antigens, often proteins, which can be found in air, food, and water. In the case of corn allergens, profilin, a protein, has been identified in corn and in many other plant (food) extracts. When food is heated past the heat-labile point, its chemical configuration changes. Due to the extreme heat and numerous processing steps to convert corn into the material that is used to make the Eco+ Grande container , it would not contain immunologically reactive profilin and therefore no concerns regarding allergic reactions.