US – California-based material innovation company Cove has partnered with Los Angeles premium organic grocer Erewhon to roll out a ‘world first’ biodegradable water bottle in the US.
According to Cove, the bottle and cap are made of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), which can be broken down by microorganisms, allowing them to disintegrate after disposal instead of lingering in landfills or other areas.
The PHA in Cove’s 20-ounce bottles and caps is certified biodegradable by TÜV Austria in marine, soil, and freshwater environments, as well as in industrial and home composting.
Under the partnership, Erewhon will sell Cove’s 20-ounce water bottles for US$2.99 at all its eight stores throughout Los Angeles starting December 1, as well as online at cove.co.
Cove plans to make the plastic-free bottles available online in addition to selling them at locations run by Erewhon.
The startup, which is also based in Los Angeles, said in the announcement that it expects to make the bottles available through other unnamed retailers in the “coming months” as it increases production.
“Cove entering retail is a significant milestone for the company and it was important for us to find a mission-aligned retail partner to debut Cove,” said Alex Totterman, founder, and CEO of Cove, in a statement.
“We’ve found that in Erewhon and are excited to take a big step forward in our mission to create a sustainable material world.”
Erewhon, an upscale, family-owned chain, which runs eight locations in and around the city, said its decision to serve as the first retailer to sell Cove’s biodegradable water bottles aligns with its mission as an organic-focused grocer.
“When we were introduced to Cove, we were incredibly excited to be part of this innovative and potentially world-changing moment for CPG – the world’s first fully biodegradable water bottle is something we are very proud to be launching at Erewhon,” said Vito Antoci, Executive Vice President of Erewhon Markets.
The introduction of biodegradable containers comes amid growing efforts by governments to cut back on the use of water bottles, bags and other disposable products made from plastic, which frequently end up polluting the environment instead of being recycled.
In March, countries endorsed a resolution at the United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, under which the body plans by the end of 2024 to draft an international agreement aimed at promoting alternatives to plastic.
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