Made entirely of PLA (polylactic acid) resin, new Scienceware® Earth-Friendly Sampling Spoons and Sticks from Bel-Art Products have less environmental impact than traditional petroleum-based plastic sampling tools.

A true green material, PLA resin is made from annually renewable plant resources and decreases dependency on non-renewable resources by reducing the use of petroleum in manufactured products.

"Commonly used in water bottles and food packaging, PLA resin has a proven lower carbon footprint than traditional plastic resins. The growth of the plants and manufacture of the resin uses less nonrenewable energy and results in less greenhouse gasses than equivalent petroleum-based plastic resins," according to Robert N. Petersen, Product Manager for Bel-Art Products.

Products made from PLA resin are fully biodegradable through industrial composting with the end result being carbon dioxide, water and humus. "Scienceware® Earth-Friendly Spoons and Sticks are not made from a mixture of petroleum and bio-based plastics that only break down to smaller pieces of plastic, like many other "green" plastic products," added Petersen.

Many companies use disposable sampling tools to prevent cross contamination and eliminate cleaning costs and validations. It is not necessary to be at odds with sustainability goals and a clear conscience just to satisfy these needs. Those that have defined sustainability goals and those that are looking for ways to easily decrease their impact on the earth can benefit from the use of these new earth-friendly tools and truly make a difference.

Currently available are Long Handle Sampling Spoons which are ideal for acquiring samples from bottles, jars and other confined areas; Wide Handle Sampling Spoons that provide enough stiffness to easily sample packed powders and other firm materials; and 1001 Sticks, perfect for mixing samples, handling capsules, scraping containers or positioning solid samples under examination.

Scienceware® Earth-Friendly Sampling Spoons are sold non-sterile in a pack of 10 and range in suggested list price from $10.50 to $15.60.  Scienceware® Earth-Friendly 1001 Sticks have a suggested list price of $38.25 for a pack of 100, and $175.50 for a case of 500.

For more information on the Scienceware® Earth-Friendly line of sampling tools, or the complete line of laboratory offerings from Bel-Art Products, call 1-800-4BELART, email  info@belart.com or visit www.belart.com.

To request a FREE copy of the Bel-Art Products 2011 Catalog, click here. 

Bel-Art Products simplifies tasks with innovative product solutions for science, industry and healthcare. Over 2000 items from safety wash bottles to fume hoods are manufactured and marketed under well-known brand names including Scienceware® laboratory products, Spinbar® magnetic stirring bars, Magic Touch^TM icewares, Sterileware® sampling tools, Secador® desiccator cabinets, KLETT® colorimeters, and Poxygrid® racks. Established in 1946, Bel-Art Products is a United States based manufacturer headquartered in Wayne, NJ.