The new, recyclable bags were developed by materials experts at Italian company Novamont, part of ENI-owned Versalis, with support from materials scientists at Amazon. The bags are durable, food safe and weather-resistant. Because they are safe for food, this new material could progressively replace fossil-based plastics used by food retailers and manufacturers, according to amazon.
“Our new Amazon Fresh bio-based bags provide protection against spills and condensation to keep grocery orders safe for our customers, and at the same time are less impactful for the planet because they are made from renewable, food safe materials derived from plants, like corn starch and vegetable oils,” said Alan Jacobsen, Amazon’s Materials & Energy Sciences Director. “Unlike most petroleum-based plastic bags, these materials have the potential to be more efficiently recycled, while also being able to naturally degrade in a composting environment.”