Written by Andrew Files, Environmental Health Strategy Center
Imagine a plastic made sustainably from renewable resources harvested in rural areas of the Maine Woods. Now, imagine that plastic also being made here. An initiative is underway to produce bioplastics, biodegradable, compostable, recyclable plastic from Maine potatoes, potato wastes, and forest biomass. Businesses, such as True Textiles and Tom’s of Maine, along with groups, such as the Maine Potato Board, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, the Environmental Health Strategy Center and the University of Maine are involved in developing the processes and the vision for this emerging sector. And the vision is becoming reality. 

The ultimate goal of the initiative is not only to produce bioplastics, but to also provide economic opportunities for Maine people by developing a cluster of businesses producing sustainable bioplastics in Maine. This cluster would consist of business from all levels of the supply chain -- feedstock suppliers, the producer of the bioplastic, formulators and fabricators of the bioplastic, companies that would use the formed or fabricated bioplastic with their products, and businesses involved in end-of-product-life handling. The emphasis throughout the supply chain would be one of sustainability – economic, environmental, and social. Click here to read more.

Bioplastics are made from renewable feedstock. In our case, the feedstock is potatoes, potato waste, and forest biomass harvested from Maine farms and forests. The acreage supplying the bioplastics manufacturing facility could make use of acreage and products that do not currently have thriving markets. Under-sized potatoes, crops in rotation with potatoes, and forest residuals could all potentially be used in the production of bioplastics. These working landscapes would be enhanced and potentially expanded enabling farmers and woods people to derive increased economic benefit from the land.

Funded by the Maine Technology Institute, private foundations, and contributions from member organizations, and led by the Environmental Health Strategy Center, this group of businesses, organizations, and universities has been conducting laboratory research, performing economic and market analyses, and laying the foundation for a new trade association, the Sustainable Bioplastics Council of Maine. This Council, which was recently formed and which has welcomed Vinitha Nair as its first Executive Director, has a mission to promote, support and expand Maine’s emerging bioplastics industry. In the coming months, the Council plans to begin reaching out to others interested in becoming part of this new business sector in Maine, where there is opportunity for job creation and market expansion in natural resource-based, and other, businesses across the State.

For more information on this initiative, please contact Andrew Files at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .