Premium Natural Spring Water in Biodegradable and Recyclable Bottles

AQUAMANTRA(R) Premium Bottled Water Introduces the World's First 100% Biodegradable, Recyclable, Compostable (non-PLA) Bottle

Whole Foods Market(R) in Tustin, CA becomes first retailer to Offer ENSO Bottle(TM)

TUSTIN, Calif., July 16 /PRNewswire/ -- People love the convenience of bottled water, but the category's overwhelming success wreaked toxic havoc on the nation's landfills, where the average water bottle will take more than 500 years to decompose. Last week, a Southern California company revolutionized the industry by bringing to market a water bottle that completely biodegrades into organic material. AQUAMANTRA Premium Bottled Water based in Dana Point, CA introduced the world's 1st 100% Biodegradable, Recyclable, Compostable (non-PLA) Plastic Bottle on July 9th, 2009 at the Whole Foods Market in Tustin, California.

"We are so grateful to Whole Foods Market for supporting AQUAMANTRA's new ENSO Bottle(TM)," said Alexandra Teklak, Founder and President of AQUAMANTRA. "I love this new paradigm we're in, co-creating new possibilities for the future of our planet with amazing retail partners like the exceptional Whole Foods Market and inspiring consumers to make an environmentally friendly choice with their dollars."

Larry Connell, Grocery Store Team Leader at the Whole Foods Market in Tustin was interested in AQUAMANTRA's new bottle from the moment he heard about it. "Whole Foods Market customers are continually seeking healthy food options and solutions to keep the community and environment clean," said Connell. "The new AQUAMANTRA Enso Bottle(TM) is a wonderful ecological advancement. On top of that, AQUAMANTRA is a respected vendor based in Dana Point, and we're always eager to support local business."

AQUAMANTRA's ENSO bottles are FDA approved PET 1 bottles that are not PLA (made of cornstarch) or oxo-degradable (in need of UV rays to break down). If these bottles end up in microbial landfills, (as 80% do) the bottles will break down within 1 - 5 years into inert biomass and biogas through either an anaerobic (no oxygen, no light) or aerobic decomposition.That timeframe is for the ASTM D 5511 which was in a lab environment and simulates an ideal anaerobic (landfill) condition, which is based on third party testing. The most recent tests conducted by North East Labs in Berlin, CT, show that ENSO Bottles will biodegrade in a an ideal environment in 250 days. How does that happen? Currently, all PET bottles are organic in nature; however, the microbes don't recognize them as food. Plastic appears to be the last thing they are looking to eat, which is why it takes 500 years or more to break down. ENSO developed an organic additive that sits next to the PET chain and attracts microbial colonization. In short speak, they are adding an 'organic seasoning' to the bottle so the microbes know the bottle is food. For this reason, these bottles maintain the same properties as traditional PET and can be intermingled with standard PET in recycling streams and programs. ENSO bottles used by AQUAMANTRA are validated through third party ASTM (Associated Standards and Testing Materials) standard tests, an international standards organization.

AQUAMANTRA's natural spring water, flows from the abundant source of Mt. Palomar in Southern California and is proud to be a Gold Medal Winner for best tasting water at The Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting Competition. AQUAMANTRA includes a high percentage of silica, low Total Dissolved Solids and an even pH of 7.4. "How lucky are we?," says Teklak, "That we get to be the first company to introduce delicious local water, with a message that inspires and supports a plastic-free landfill -we are now in alignment with our triple bottom line - people-planet-profit. How does it get any better than that?"

AQUAMANTRA® Premium Natural Spring Bottled Water now available in an Earth Friendly 100% Biodegradable - Recyclable - Compostable PET Bottle

Dana Point, CA – July 15, 2009 - The controversy over bottled water is of good merit. We should all want to do what’s right by our planet, not just for ourselves but for future generations. What has been brought to overwhelming awareness is the alarming amount of plastic bottles that are delivered, used and then tossed away every day. Take notice of how many plastic bottles you see on the street, in trash cans, even piled up in your own recycle bin! Where do they all go? Can they all be recycled? What do you the consumer need to know about the bottled water you are drinking then disposing of? Start by knowing this… AQUAMANTRA Premium Natural Spring Bottled Water is now packaged in the latest earth friendly fashion… 100% Biodegradable and 100% Recyclable PET bottles from ENSO.

Finally, the technology for a better bottle is here. AQUAMANTRA’s creator and President, Alexandra Teklak along with her team of conscious advisors have been on a thorough investigative search in the packaging industry since her company launched in June of 2006 in Whole Foods, to find a container that complimented her Gold Award winning water. Their challenge to find the perfect combination of a bottle that could be sustainable, convenient yet still maintain a clear enough appearance to view AQUAMANTRA’s unique artwork through the bottle began in early 2007. Alexandra needed a solution to meet the needs of her conscious consumers and retail partners who were seeking a creative alternative to standard PET for an environmental crisis. On July 8th, 2009, AQUAMANTRA was proud to introduce the world’s first 100% Biodegradable 100% Recyclable and 100% Compostable plastic PET bottle at the Whole Foods in Tustin, California.

“AQUAMANTRA’s mission from the beginning was to raise consciousness in humanity” says founder, Alexandra Teklak, she goes on to state “I wanted people to know that we don’t just talk the talk, we are not about green-washing -- we are authentic in our quest to provide our consumers the opportunity to be a part of the solution, and that too is raising consciousness about how they impact the world.” AQUAMANTRA’s innovative use of ENSO Bottles™ is new to the beverage industry by a few fantastic factors:
Biodegradable and Recyclable and replaces all of their current plastic in both the 1L size and the 500mL.

The revolutionary ENSO Bottles used by AQUAMANTRA are the first truly biodegradable, compostable and recyclable PET bottles on the market today and Alexandra wants everyone to know about it. Once deposited in a landfill an organic additive with a swelling agent opens up the PET (plastic) bond inside each new AQUAMANTRA bottle. An added microbial attractant then helps facilitate microbial colonization on the plastic. Once microbes have colonized on the plastic they begin to break down the PET bond through atomic reorganization using some of the atoms as energy leaving behind either methane (anaerobic) or CO2 (aerobic) and inert humus. Currently, this process will take from one to five years, depending on the microbial environment, but according to ENSO’s third party testing it could be as early as 10-months, however, it is more likely 1 -5 years. .

AQUAMANTRA’s new bottles are also compostable and will biodegrade in a compostable environment in just 250 days. There have been other biodegradable products on the market that were also compostable like PLA (corn-based) bottles, but these containers were not readily recyclable, a major issue for AQUAMANTRA. Products that are labeled 'compostable' must enter an industrial composting facility in order for it to fully degrade into organic matter, but the ENSO Bottle™ can go into any compost environment and doesn’t require commercial composting. Too often PLA bottles end up in the landfill thus requiring the same amount of time as regular PET plastic to decompose. Remember, PLA plastics need to be at a consistent temperature of 60 C (140 F) for at least two weeks in order to reach the "glass transition" stage where they are able to begin to break down. PLA needs to be deposited in required conditions to break them down therefore you can’t bury PLA in the ground, nor the ocean and on top of that this corn based product uses more petroleum to manufacture than regular PET.

Lastly, AQUAMANTRA’s new bottles are recyclable which helps everyone, saves energy and won’t mess up the recycling stream when they are recycled regardless of where they end up unlike PLA and PET plastic bottles. The caps and labels on AQUAMANTRA’s bottles are the only components that are not biodegradable, however, they are recyclable which is why it is important that everyone continue to be a part of the solution and recycle. Look for all materials to be biodegradable in 2010, ENSO is working diligently on bringing the additive to all plastic materials.

It seems like a lot to digest, but so does our current environmental crisis. Think of it like that scene from Superman where the hero has to use all his energy to reverse the direction of earth to save the love of his life, Lois Lane. Well AQUAMANTRA is that superhero and we’re reversing the damage one ENSO bottle at a time. We are moving into a critical new arena with everyone getting on the green-band wagon. Companies are eagerly looking for ways to make their products eco-friendly and consumers are becoming aware of their impact on the planet. Teklak states “I started Aquamantra to make an impact on the world, wanting to leave it better than when I arrived. AQUAMANTRA’s intent is to leave a lasting impression on everyone who drinks our water, and now people can vote with their dollars and make their own impact. We just made it easier for the AQUAMANTRA consumer to make a difference by purchasing a product in a container that is better for our Earth, thus better for our soul.” With all the controversy around tap, bottled water and filtration it all comes down to one choice, yours. Choose what is rewarding for you, a healthy for the planet and tastes good too- cheers to AQUAMANTRA!

AQUAMANTRA® PREMIUM BOTTLED WATER ADDRESSES ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS AND INTRODUCES WORLD’S FIRST 100% BIODEGRADABLE-REYCLABLE BOTTLE AT NATURAL PRODUCTS EXPO WEST SHOW 2009

NEW AQUAMANTRA® GREEN BOTTLES AVAILABLE JULY 2009
ANAHEIM CA - March 6, 2009. AQUAMANTRA Award Winning Premium Bottled Water launches the world’s first 100% biodegradable-recyclable bottle at the Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, CA in booth 4561.
The AQUAMANTRA ENSO™ bottle will be available for shipment to store shelves in May 2009 and that is welcomed news to both retailers and consumers who have felt the pressure from environmental groups and consumers who are concerned about exploding landfills bulging with non-recyclable-compostable plastics. Research done by analysts at Morgan Stanley found that “23 percent [of consumers] say they are cutting back on bottled beverages in favor of tap water or beverages in containers that create less waste.”

AQUAMANTRA Founder and President, Alexandra Teklak has been on a comprehensive search since her company’s inception to find a bottle that compliments her Gold Award winning LOHAS brand and meets the needs of conscious consumers and retail partners who want creative solutions for the environmental crisis. “AQUAMANTRA strongly believes that consumers are entitled to choices as to what water they want to drink, which should include easy opportunities to be earth-friendly. I didn’t want to find just any solution, I wanted to find a solution that worked for everyone,” said Teklak.AQUAMANTRA consultants and advisors investigated many alternatives including a PLA (cornstarch) bottles and found that it wasn’t a viable solution for the public; not easy to dispose of and not necessarily the best solution to erasing carbon footprints. The reality is that water has to be packaged in a bottle that will not disintegrate on the store shelf in 1-2 years, and that is an issue with the PLA bottle. We investigated the “Oxy- degradables”, but there were “big ifs” surrounding it such as an adequate amount of exposure to sunlight for degradation which is not likely in a landfill. Finally, after searching for the right company we found ENSO™, who was developing a form of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) which could be recycled and biodegrades within 1-5 years, essentially a form of plastic that enables microbes to eat the bottle as dinner,” stated Teklak.

The AQUAMANTRA ENSO™ bottles do not leach plastic, are not PLA, are not oxo-degradable, and is a FDA approved “food grade” PET 1 bottle. These bottles maintain the same properties as traditional PET and can be intermingled with standard PET in recycling streams and programs. When the bottles end up in a microbial landfill, (80% of them are) the bottle will break down within 1-5 years into inert biomass and biogas through either an anaerobic (no oxygen, no light) or aerobic decomposition. ENSO™ bottles used by AQUAMANTRA are validated through third party ASTM (Associated Standards and Testing Materials) standard tests, an international standards organization. “At ENSO™ Bottles, we are excited to work with AQUAMANTRA. Their awareness and concern for the environment aligns very well with ENSO’s environmental mission and provides their customers with not only water with a purpose, but also earth friendly packaging.” said Danny Clark, founder of ENSO Bottles. “This is the product that consumers have been waiting for. Now everyone can feel good about drinking refreshingly convenient bottled water again,” said Teklak.

WHOLE FOODS IRVINE/TUSTIN - will be the first store in America to carry the ENSO Bottles! Look for them in stores July 8th.

AQUAMANTRA is getting ready to manufacture the first ever Biodegradable Bottles July 1st. We're sorry for the delay - ENSO ran more testing on the bottles and found out that now the test results are showing that bottles have the ability to biodegrade in less than a year. We're so excited we can't stand it! Did you also know that these bottles are compostable? Yes, they will compost in 240 days according to ENSO's test results.

The mission of ENSO Bottles is to provide earth friendly solutions for the PET
bottling industry. We focus on making a positive contribution towards minimizing
negative impact of plastic bottles on our environment.

ENSO Bottles are the first truly biodegradable and recyclable PET bottles on
the market today. The technology behind our bottles is an introduction of a new
patent pending process that when introduced into a microbial environment
enhances microbial activity. Our process uses a technology to add nutrients
and other organic compounds which weaken the polymer chain and allow
microbial action to colonize in and around the plastic and completely
metabolize the bottles, turning them into inert humus (biomass), biogas
(anaerobic) or Co2 (aerobic).

The development of our bottles marks a turning point from traditional
PET bottles and provides a turn-key stable solution over starch-based
and oxo-degradable products currently on the market.

ENSO Bottles will be the first to market with a viable biodegradable PET
product. Our desire is that biodegradable bottles replace standard PET
containers which are filling our landfills, and polluting lands and oceans.
Additionally, ENSO recognizes that biodegradable plastics aren’t the
complete answer to solving our pollution problems. ENSO believes
that biodegradable plastic containers, when combined with a viable
recycling program, is a step in the right direction toward reducing a
growing environmental problem.

ENSO was founded on the idea that we recognize a need to do something
to improve our environment. By having a more earth friendly PET
biodegradable container and becoming a partner in helping to develop
effective recycling programs, we can stem the rising tide of plastic pollution
and leave our world a better place for future generations.

The table below shows a comparison of ENSO biodegradable bottles compared
to other products that are currently available to the market.

*Time requirement for degradation depends on the environment in which the materials
are disposed, as types, quantity and quality of micro-organisms.

Our bottles are biodegradable in anaerobic (no oxygen, no light), aerobic and
compostable environments and can be intermingled with standard PET during recycling.
Our patented pending process allows our bottles to be metabolized and neutralized
in the environment, turning them into inert humus (biomass), biogas (anaerobic) or
Co2 (aerobic).

The development of our bottles marks a turning point from traditional PET bottles
and provides a turn-key stable solution over starch-based and other biodegradation
methods currently on the market today.

ENSO Bottles maintain the same physical properties and strength as existing
standard PET bottles, and allow the product to break down in landfills. ENSO
Bottles have an indefinite shelf life and are not affected by light, heat, moisture
or stress. These attributes will last until the product is discarded into an active

microbial environment (landfill), and will then break down into inert humus
(biomass), Co2 or biogas.

Our patent pending process uses a technology adding nutrients and other
organic compounds which weaken the polymer chain for microbial action to
colonize in and around the plastic. These microbes then secrete acids which
break down the entire polymer chain.

The first thing to keep in mind when answering this question is that everything
on the planet is made from atomic particles. Even things that are considered
"man made" utilize atomic particles that were and always will be here on the
planet. Plastics are no different and in fact most plastics are hydro-carbons
meaning they are made mostly from hydrogen and carbon atoms. Plastics have
been designed for their properties to keep out oxygen so that the food product
inside is preserved from naturally biodegrading/rotting. Oxygen is an extremely
permeable atom and can make its way into just about any type of barrier
(including plastics). Plastics used in the beverage industry is Poly(ethylene
terephthalate) PET which has been designed to have an extremely tight
chemical bond.

The other aspect to keep in mind is that everything on the planet will decompose
and biodegrade over time. Microbes are found all over the planet in every aspect
of our lives and are constantly breaking things back into their atomic parts. This
is also true for plastics although plastics have been engineered to be very strong
which is why it takes thousands of years for microbes to break plastic back into
biogases and/or biomass. The technology behind our biodegradable PET bottles
include an additive which is added during the manufacturing process. Our additive
adds organic compounds which hydrostatically bonds to the PET molecules.
Because we are not changing the PET bonds we are not changing the chemical
structure, which allows the bottles maintain the same beneficial physical properties
of the PET used.

ENSO Bottles are quite unlike other degradable or biodegradable plastics on the
market. Our additive does not activate until the plastic is placed into a highly
microbial environment i.e. landfill. Once placed in a microbial environment our
additive has a swelling agent which opens the PET bond and we also use microbial
attractant to help facilitate microbial colonization on the plastic. Once microbes have
colonized on the plastic they begin to break down the PET bond through atomic
reorganization to use some of the atoms as energy and leaves behind either
methane (anaerobic) or CO2 (aerobic) and inert humus based on the environment
the bottle is placed into. Having the plastic biodegrade from microbial digestion is
the natural process of everything and does not leave behind any polymer residue
or toxic materials.

A microbe or microorganism are the smallest organisms on the planet and requires
the use of a microscope to see them. There is a huge variety of organisms in
this section. They can work alone or in colonies. They can help you or hurt you.
Most important fact is that they make up the largest number of living organisms
on the planet. There are trillions of trillions of trillions of microbes around the Earth.
Microbes include bacteria, fungi, some algae, and protozoa. A microorganism
can be heterotrophic or autotrophic. These two terms mean they either eat
other things (hetero) or make food for themselves (auto). Think about it this way:
plants are autotrophic and animals are heterotrophic. They can be solitary or
colonial. A protozoan like an amoeba might spend its whole life alone, cruising
through the water. Others, like fungi, work together in colonies to help each
other survive.

Aerobic biodegradation is the breakdown of organic contaminants by
microorganisms when oxygen is present. Read more

Compostable Plastic: is "capable of undergoing biological decomposition in a
compost site (commercial site) to the point that the plastic is not visually
distinguishable and breaks down to carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds,
and biomass”. In order for a plastic to be called compostable, three criteria need
to be met:

Biodegradation: when plastic (or any other material) degrades from the action
of naturally occurring microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi etc. over a period of time.

ENSO bottles are biodegradable and recyclable. Our PET bottles will biodegrade
in anaerobic (no oxygen, no light), and aerobic/compostable environments.

A bioreactor landfill operates to rapidly transform and degrade organic waste. The
increase in waste degradation and stabilization is accomplished through the addition
of liquid and air to enhance microbial processes. By efficiently designing and
operating a landfill, the life of a landfill can be extended by as much as 20 years.
Landfill gases such as methane are fuel sources which are then used for clean
energy production.

What is better for the environment professional composting or landfill bioreactors?

There have been a number of studies conducted to compare the environmental
impact of professional composting vs. landfill bioreactors. Since there are
variations in both composting and landfill garbage collection the below paper was
chosen because it addresses the best and worst case scenarios. The potential
environmental impacts associated with aerobic composting and bioreactor
landfilling were assessed using the life cycle inventory (LCI) tool. The results are
fairly the same across those studies performed which result in emissions to air
and water that contribute to human toxicity are greater for the composting option
than for the landfill option and the landfill option yields greater energy savings
due to the conversion of the landfill gas (LFG) to electrical energy.

Now that you are gaining a better understanding of how biodegradation occurs,
lets delve deeper into this process. Let’s look at what micro-organisms are to
better understand how biodegradation occurs.

Some of the major milestones in the development of plastics are:
1862 - The first man-made plastic was created by Alexander Parkes.
1863 - John Wesley Hyatt invented celluloid as a substitute for ivory.
1894 - Charles Fredrick Cross and Edward Bevan discover Viscose Rayon
1941 - PET developed by British Calico as a synthetic fiber.
1960 - Began use as a packaging film.
1970 - Technique developed for blowing PET into bottle shaped containers.
1973 - The PET bottle was patented by chemist Nathaniel Wyeth (brother of
distinguished American painter, Andrew Wyeth)
1977 - The first PET bottle was recycled

PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) is a substance made from ethylene and paraxylene.
Their derivatives, ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid react at high temperature/pressure
to create PET plastic. PET is a strong, lightweight form of clear polyester, which is easily
formed into containers for water, soft drinks, other foods, and other non-food items
such as household cleaners.

The use of PET plastic containers continues to expand with the majority of PET being
used as beverage containers. In 2006 more than 60 billion PET bottles were used for
beverages. The multi-billion dollar a year beverage industry continues to grow an
average of 12% annually. PET bottles are recyclable, however, a large portion of
the usage of beverage bottles is away from home so recycle rates are low.

What does the number surrounded by the three recycle arrows on the bottom
of plastic container mean?

If you have ever turned over a plastic container and wondered what the number
surrounded by three recycle arrows mean, here's your chance to find out.

The most informative series of books written on stretch blow molding that we have
found are offered by PET Planet. Their books can be found at www.hbmedia.info
under the PET Books tab. The books are written for both expert and novice and are
well worth having for reference.

What can consumers do to help reduce the environmental impact of plastic bottles?

Become more aware of recycling programs within your area. Work with your local
politicians in developing and enacting recycling, bottle fee and stricter waste
management programs.

The most important thing that each of us can do is recycle. Encourage friends and
family members to participate in recycling. Plastic beverage bottle usage continues
to grow (see chart). As consumers, we need to actively participate in recycling our
plastic at home or, if we’re away, place them in a proper recycling container.

In 1960 there wasn’t any plastic bottle production but over the past 12 years there
has been a 700% increase in bottles sold but only a 5% increase in recycling.
Recently, efforts by private advocacy groups and state/local governments have
initiated programs that are improving recycling and building consumer awareness
of the growing problem with plastic bottle environmental issues.

Cradle to Cradle Design (sometimes abbreviated to C2C) is a holistic economic,
industrial and social framework that seeks to create systems that are not just
efficient but essentially waste free.

At ENSO Bottles, our mission is to provide a true "Cradle to Cradle" solution for
PET plastic bottles. This means creating plastic from a renewable, non-food
sources; encouraging recycling of the plastic to extend the useful life of the plastic
and once disposed the plastic can become a clean fuel source through microbial
digestion and finally, return to the earth in an organic state. To reach this goal
ENSO Bottles is working to develop renewable sources for plastics, we also
support and encourage recycling programs and we’ve introduced our first step
in moving towards a cradle-to-cradle approach with our biodegradable plastic
PET bottles. Read more

CBS NEWS KCAL - July 23.2009 - CBS Featured AQUAMANTRA on their 6:15 Spotlight with Dave Malkoff

Danny Clark, President of ENSO BOTTLES - Featured on CBS 5 New in Arizona