Albertsons Cos.’ Own Brands has unveiled new environmentally conscious items in its Open Nature brand, such as compostable products and items made with sustainable bamboo.
Coinciding with the beginning of Earth Month, new eco picnic ware continues an Own Brands history of responsible environmental practices.
“The driving belief behind our Open Nature brand is that people want high-quality, minimally processed products that are carefully crafted using thoughtfully chosen materials you can trust,” said Geoff White, president of Own Brands. “That’s why our customers will love these new Open Nature items. They know that a product’s lasting effects extend beyond its performance and value. They care deeply about its impact on the environment.”
Each new item in the expanded Open Nature brand boasts environmentally-friendly attributes such as tree-free, BPA-free, plastic-free and made from plant-based materials.
A collection of compostable items includes an eco picnic family of BPA-free plates, bowls, cutlery, straws, cold cups and hot cups. Each is certified compostable by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI). All components are made of plant-based material certified compostable in industrial composting facilities.
“We’re especially proud of our picnic products because they not only bring us back to the roots of our brand, but they also allow people to enjoy nature without having a negative impact on it,” White said.
Other compostable additions to the Open Nature brand include garbage bags, lawn and leaf bags, and food scrap bags, with more compostable products planned in coming months.
Also, Open Nature is introducing bamboo facial tissue, bamboo washable rayon towels and bamboo bath tissue. Bamboo, which is a grass rather than a tree, is easily renewable because it grows quickly and matures in only three years. It takes up less land, uses less water than trees and requires zero pesticides to grow.
Open Nature bamboo washable rayon towels can be rinsed and reused up to 100 times, while the bamboo bath tissue and facial tissue are soft, strong and fragrance-free.
Albertsons Cos.’ O Organics line of USDA-certified organic products has recently added compostable coffee pods to its collection of coffees. The pod is 100 percent certified compostable and made from renewable, plant-based materials like corn, beets and bamboo.
The pods are filled with O Organic’s popular coffee flavors, including Italian roast, breakfast blend and a Fair Trade Certified roastery blend.
O Organics recently launched one of the first private label USDA-certified organic laundry detergents. Shoppers can choose from O Organics Lavender Laundry Detergent and O Organics Free + Clear. Shoppers also have a choice of biodegradable cleaners and homecare products in the Open Nature brand, including all-purpose cleaner, bathroom cleaners, cleaning wipes, dish soaps and granite cleaner.
Albertsons Cos., based in Boise, Idaho, operates stores across 34 states and the District of Columbia under 20 banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen and Carrs, as well as meal kit company Plated, based in New York City.
