The U.S. Department of Agriculture finalized three rules designating
new categories of biobased products as eligible for BioPreferred
purchasing by all federal agencies and contractors. Biotechnology
Industry Organization Executive Vice President, Industrial &
Environmental Section, Brent Erickson released the following statement:
"A growing number of companies are using industrial biotechnology to
make environmentally safe everyday products such as plastic containers,
laundry detergents, carpets, and even clothing. These biobased products
satisfy growing consumer demand for green products because they meet
the most important environmental goals, including reducing use of
petroleum and other non-renewable resources, reducing waste in
landfills, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
"Reducing dependence on petroleum and lessening environmental impacts
are important to future U.S. economic growth and competitiveness.
"The USDA's BioPreferred program creates an important market for these
green products by requiring federal agencies to give purchasing
preference to biobased products when available and comparable to
petroleum-based products. Many biobased products are already clearly
cost competitive with fossil-resource based materials. The USDA's
BioPreferred program provides companies incentives to increase
production of these products. Companies that adopt industrial
biotechnology can cut costs, make better products, and increase
profitability."
The USDA's newly finalized rules designate 27 new categories of
products, including biodegradable containers, films, and cutlery;
carpets; clothing and laundry products. In all, the new rules will make
as many as 2400 new products from 562 companies eligible for preferred
purchasing.
Biobased products are commercial or industrial goods composed of
biological products, forestry materials, or renewable domestic
agricultural materials, including plant, animal, or marine materials.
Made from renewable plant and animal sources, biobased products are
generally safer for the environment than their petroleum-based
counterparts. They are usually biodegradable or recyclable. The
BioPreferred website address: http://www.biopreferred.go.
Sources: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com, http://www.cattlenetwork.com
|