Hands On: BioGreen PROx from California Bike Gear

KineticShift.com continues our hands on test of water bottles.

California Bike Gear puts an interesting spin on water bottles with the PROx, which are made from 20 percent post industrial recycled plastic. But more importantly these bottles will be gone in two years. Not because the company won’t continue to sell them, but because these can biodegrade in about that time. Talk about planned obsolescence.

California Bike Gear’s Product Description: These enhanced plastic bottles biodegrade in landfills and are the most environmentally responsible product you can buy. They offer the following benefits: Biodegradable – BioGreen Bottles with EcoPure additive are unique in that they biodegrade in an active microbial environment which are present in landfills. EcoPure is a non-toxic additive that actually helps the environment. The final product left behind with EcoPure is humus and methane. Humus regenerates the soil.

Recyclable – The BioGreen Bottles are also fully recyclable in the normal recycle stream.

Reusable – These bottles have the same long useful life as normal LDPE plastic bottles Light, heat or humidity do not activate the degradation process unlike corn/starch based plastics.

Made with Recycled Materials – BioGreen Bottles are made with at least 20% post industrial recycled plastic.

Isn’t “Recyclable” Enough? Recycling is always the best option and BioGreen Bottles are 100% recyclable. The sad truth is over 90% of recyclable bottles wind up in landfills and will remain there for 1000 years. BioGreen Bottles will completely Biodegrade in about two years. Now, that’s Enough!

Bottle Sizes: 26oz
Plastic: Polypropylene
Country of Manufacture: USA
Retail Price: $6.99 (26oz) 

1. This bottle did not leak when filled with water and squeezed
2. This bottle did not leak when filled with water and turn upside down
3. BPA free

Taste test and manufacturer’s claim test: This was the only bottle that we picked up that had the claim of being completely biodegradable. While we would have loved to test this feature we lacked the time and proper equipment to conduct this test, but if this bottle does act as claimed, it would be a great bottle for those of you who often lose your bottle while cycling. We tested this bottle with water while cycling to evaluate its performance. The bottle was rinsed prior to the ride and filled with ice water – there was no smell from the plastic and no off-taste. This was also the result through the entire two hour ride and in reality, it performed just like the classic Specialized bottle. The only noticeable difference between the PROx bottle and the Specialized bottle is the PROx bottle uses a more rigid plastic…it takes a little more effort to get your liquid out of this bottle.

Likes: Biodegradability of this bottle

Dislikes: Plastic is more rigid than the Specialized classic bottle

Kinetic Shift Recommended Use: All water bottle uses…cycling, hiking, running, fitness classes, etc., but just try not to lose too many of these bottles on the trails as they will still be there for two years.

California Bike Gear