Restore AirCarbon Foodware Products Achieve Carbon Negative Verification
Newlight Technologies, Inc., a biotechnology company dedicated to making materials that improve the environment, has gained independent verification that its Restore AirCarbon™ foodware products, evaluated from cradle-to-gate plus disposal, have a negative carbon footprint. The assessment was conducted by SCS Global Services (SCS), a world leader in third-party environmental and life cycle assessment.
Restore AirCarbon™ cutlery and other foodware products are made with AirCarbon, a polymer produced through an innovative microbial process. Every day, natural microorganisms in the ocean consume air and greenhouse gases (GHGs) dissolved in saltwater to produce a meltable energy storage material inside of their cells called polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). Over ten years of research, Newlight has learned how to replicate this process on land, synthesizing AirCarbon (a PHB) by combining natural microorganisms from the ocean with air, saltwater, and recaptured methane gas, with 100% of the company’s power usage offset by renewable energy credits.
“Two of the greatest threats to the world’s environment are plastics pollution and climate change,” said Newlight CEO Mark Herrema. ”Our new AirCarbon products address both by eliminating dependence on oil-based plastics and simultaneously reducing of climate changing GHGs.” Most Restore products are compostable or biodegradable, he added.
SCS’ study examined the manufacture, use and disposal of the Restore product line, including packaging. Product distribution was not included in the assessment. It found that more carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gases (CO2e) are sequestered in the production process than are generated to make them, resulting in a net reduction in CO2e in the atmosphere.
“The process used to make the Restore AirCarbon foodware products is truly innovative, converting GHGs into useable products while providing a net carbon benefit,” said Keith Killpack, SCS Technical Director, Environmental Certification Services division. “Our findings validate Newlight’s achievement in turning their commitment to the environment into a reality.”
“By working with SCS, one of the most well-respected firms in the carbon accounting field, we now have verified carbon footprints for every Restore product, demonstrating to consumers that they are choosing a reduced carbon option,” said Herrema.
About Newlight
Founded in 2003, Newlight Technologies is a biotechnology company in Huntington Beach, CA dedicated to producing materials that help improve life. Based on more than a decade of research, Newlight developed AirCarbon, a regenerative, carbon-negative material. AirCarbon was named “Biomaterial of the Year” by the Nova Institute and “Innovation of the Year” by Popular Science. Newlight has also been recognized as a “Technology Pioneer” by the World Economic Forum and awarded the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
About SCS
SCS Global Services is a global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in climate mitigation, green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, consumer products, and more. Headquartered in Emeryville, its broad network of auditors are experts in their fields, and the company is a trusted partner to companies, agencies and advocacy organizations due to its dedication to quality and professionalism. SCS is a chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices.
For more information, please visit scsglobalservices.com, newlight.com and restorefoodware.com