Penning Farm introduces biodegradable plastic bags

WARWICK — Pennings Farm Market has begun using environmentally friendly, non-toxic disposable plastic carry out bags.
The bags are offered through Biodegradable Technology Solutions, also based in Warwick.
The new-technology bags, when discarded, break down into safe, useful soil in landfills, composters, debris areas, fresh and saltwater or any environment where bacteria and other microbes normally consume and convert organic matter, according to the press release announcing the effort.
The bags remain stable until entering a disposal environment so they are able to be recycled and reused.
'How to handle disposable bags responsibly'Pennings Farm Market is independently taking a first step by utilizing fully biodegradable-to-soil technology while solutions to plastic bag use continue to be debated in the town.
The Village of Warwick is also exploring options. Biodegradable plastic bags offers a better disposal or end-of-life option but does not interfere with "bring your own bags" or the 5 cents surcharge program now slated to be voted on by town residents in November.
Phyllis Emmerich is spearheading the Pennings program, stating
“We’re very interested in viable options to help reduce plastic use," said Phyllis Emmerich, who is spearheading the Pennings program, "but a useful final cycle is a step in the right direction. Plastics will be with us for a long time, so we are focusing on how to handle disposable bags responsibly. Being able to convert to soil once discarded seems to be one of the better solutions we’ve considered.”
'Expanding ecological beneficial practices'BTS Biodegradables Product Development Director, Victoria D’Angelo, also a Warwick residence, introduced the biodegradable bags to Steve Pennings during a Town Hall meeting.
“Connecting with Pennings Farm Market is ideal," D'Angelo said. "They are dedicated to supporting Warwick by continuing and expanding ecologically beneficial practices and understand the value of considering the long-term benefits of converting plastics into a useful final product safe for the environment and marine life.”
Currently, Pennings Farm Market owners Steve and Jill Pennings use a combination of paper bags, canvas-type bags and is now conducting an in-store test of Biodegradable Technology Solutions plastic bags (https://www.btsbiodegradables.com).
Pennings Farm Market has introduced a product launch of carry out, or "T-shirt," bags able to biodegrade into useful non-toxic bio-soil compared to traditional disposable plastic bags.