One Earth Starch, owned by Len and Marsha Beckett, of Blaine, Washington, creates starch-based packaging peanuts. One Earth Starch pellets are dust free, nontoxic, and biodegradable - dissolving in water. John manages the plant in Spokane for the Becketts and hires part-time help to assist with fulfillment. One Earth Starch is currently shipping two semi truck loads of product monthly.

The packaging peanuts contain an 80/20 combination of corn and potato starch in pellet form. The pellets are fed into an extruder, which heats the pellet, and converts the water in the pellets to steam. When extruded through a small die, the pellets expand rapidly, 'pop', and then are cut into pieces resembling Styrofoam peanuts. The pieces have the similar cushioning characteristics of Styrofoam, but without the long-term environmental issues associated with that product. The peanuts can be dropped into a glass of water and completely disappear in minutes, while original Styrofoam takes more than 400 years to disintegrate.

Earth Starch sells its products through the packaging distribution channel; distributors are listed at www.oneearthstarch.com.

Greater Spokane Incorporated (GSI) is committed to accelerating regional economic prosperity throughout the Spokane region - the business and cultural hub of the Inland Northwest, serving a population of 1.4 million.  For companies considering relocation or expansion projects, we provide cost comparisons and business operating costs, corporate tax incentives and financing options, employee relocation assistance, workforce hiring and training options, and site selection location and market information.

As the area's only Regional Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council, GSI is funded by more than 1,400 private-sector member investors; U.S. Department of Commerce; Washington State; Spokane County; and the cities of Spokane; Spokane Valley; Liberty Lake; Cheney; Airway Heights; Medical Lake; Newport and Millwood.  For more information, visit www.greaterspokane.org or contact us at 509-624-1393 or 1-800-SPOKANE.

One Earth Starch is a Division of Rugosa Trading Inc., with locations in Blaine and City of Spokane Valley, Washington. The company is a manufacturer of biodegradable and compostable packaging products. For more information, visit www.oneearthstarch.com or contact the Inland Northwest factory and warehouse at 509-893-3939.

###