Proven Winners plant-based Eco+ Containers named Sustainability Product of the Year

Proven Winners' Eco+ containers have been named the Sustainability Product of the Year by Business Intelligence Group.

Eco+ containers are comprised of 100% natural plant material instead of traditional petroleum-based plastic, with a focus on reducing the industry’s reliance on single-use plastic by providing a sustainable alternative.

“We are proud to reward and recognize Proven Winners for their sustainability efforts,” Business Intelligence Group Chief Nominations Officer Maria Jimenez said in a statement. “It was clear to our judges that their vision and strategy will continue to deliver results toward a cleaner, more sustainable world.”

The award is given out each year to organizations that have launched or completed a physical product within the last 12 months that improves sustainability or is designed to be more eco-friendly than market alternatives.

“After years of research and development, we’re excited that the Eco+ line of containers is an innovative solution for commercial growers, retailers and home gardeners to reduce the industry’s reliance on single-use plastics,” Proven Winners Vice President of Sales Dave Konsoer said in a statement. “The Eco+ Container is one exciting step Proven Winners is taking to help to make the green industry a bit greener.”

Made from natural sugars derived from corn kernels, Eco+ Grande and Eco+ Quart containers look, act and perform like plastic pots but break back down completely over time. Their sturdy composition is strong enough to last through grower production and on retail shelves but designed to decompose once exposed to heat and moisture in home gardens or during the industrial composting process.

Eco+ containers are plantable, and their easy-to-use design makes them simple for home gardeners to plant right into their containers or landscapes. The walls of the container are infused with organic nutrients that boost plant growth. If consumers choose not to plant their Eco+ containers, they can bring them to an industrial composting facility for processing.

Even if thrown away, the 100% plant-based containers will break down much faster than traditional plastic. Since there was no petroleum drilling involved in their creation, they’re eco-friendly from the start. Eco+ containers are designed, manufactured and assembled at VistaTek of Stillwater, Minnesota. This centralized location helps to reduce its carbon footprint for U.S. and Canadian markets.

“It is an honor to have our product recognized in this industry for sustainability,” Danny Mishek, inventor and manufacturer of Eco+ containers, said in a statement. “To make a difference using innovation and technology for the consideration of this planet is second to none. The Eco+ containers are one-of-a-kind plant pots that not only reduce the amount of plastic going to landfills, but also improve plant and soil health by delivering nutrients as they break down.”

Proven Winners said that with several recent studies finding that between half and two-thirds of consumers are willing to pay more for eco-friendly products, it expects the containers to be in high demand, noting it ran out of Eco+ containers this spring.

Proven Winners also noted that New Jersey’s 2024 recycling laws require rigid plastic containers to contain at least 10% postconsumer recycled content, so the containers are a great option for growers and retailers there.

Learn more about Eco+ containers at provenwinners.com/Eco_Grande.

The Business Intelligence Group was founded with the mission of recognizing talent and superior business performance in the business world, with business executives with experience and knowledge judging the programs using a proprietary scoring system.