Operators Reap Big Benefits from Eco-Friendly Paper and Plastic Drinking Straws from Spirit Foodservice, Inc.
By Whit Smith
In the struggle to control costs while going “green,” restaurants have a surprising new ally – the drinking straw.
Every day, millions of people enjoy the convenience of plastic straws. Through the years, varied sizes to catch the consumer’s eye and meet their needs. Although increasingly user-friendly, today’s straw market has lacked an eco-friendly alternative to the popular plastic straw. But that changed with the recent introduction of unique degradable plastic and paper straws from Spirit Foodservice.
The company’s product launch was timely for the University of Southern California where a biodegradable initiative was launched several years ago. Missing from that launch was a suitably “green” drinking straw.
“That was our biggest problem because a completely biodegradable straw did not exist,” says Ed Mananghaya, Associate Director of Purchasing for USC’s Hospitality Division. “This paper straw from Spirit is the missing piece in our initiative.”
According to Mananghaya, Spirit’s paper straw will eventually replace plastic in key lounge and dining areas throughout the university. “It’s a truly biodegradable product, it’s very strong, and it’s a big hit with our student body, which is looking to us for green solutions,” he explains.
Spirit’s breakthrough straws – both paper and plastic - are a win-win for the foodservice and beverage industries. Operators can now offer low budget, environmentally conscious straws as part of their organization’s “green” solution. And in today’s marketplace going “green” is becoming a major factor in how customer’s view restaurants:
- 62 percent of diners would prefer to eat at an environmentally friendly restaurant, according to 2008 research from the National Restaurant Association.
- 68 percent say it is “very important/ important” for foodservice operators to use environmentally friendly packaging, according to a study by the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA) and Technomic.
“Our eco-friendly plastic straws are a great green solution for the restaurateur,” says Ken Bishop,Spirit’s Sales Director – West. Priced a bit less than the paper, this plastic alternative disintegrates with the help of nature, assuring less litter beyond the restaurant walls and in the environment.
For its part, the paper straws instantly make a strong “green” statement. “Customers know you’re doing something different and green,” explains Bishop. “A restaurant is going to get an immediate public relations benefit from every customer who eats there.”
The “green” impact of Spirit’s new straws can be traced to the company’s manufacturing processes. The plastic straws feature a degradable additive that breaks down the chemical structure of the plastic when exposed to heat or sunlight and oxygen.
The paper straws are coated with natural beeswax and food safe glue, which increases their longevity. In addition, by replacing paraffin with beeswax, the company has eliminated an oil-based ingredient, another positive “green” step forward.
Spirit’s product launch marks the return to favor of the paper straw, whose earlier predecessors had a tendency to fall apart after limited usage. Not only is this paper straw biodegradable and compostable, it is also sturdy and long lasting.
“I grew up with paper straws that unraveled on you after a few sips,” Mananghaya recalls. “This straw doesn’t do that.”
Spirit’s paper straws can also be custom-printed in one or two colors using food-safe ink, either on the straw itself or on the wrapper. A unique option, printing on the straw can be a terrific advertising vehicle, especially for franchised operations.
Like all “green” products, there is extra cost involved with being eco-friendly. But Bishop says that eco-straws from Spirit are an affordable option: “You’re talking about going from something like a half cent to a penny. It’s a low budget item that can make a big statement for your operation.”
View PDF