Solutions: Office Delivery Dilemma

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Home and office delivery of coffee and tea is experiencing unprecedented demand – which brings single-use packaging to the forefront for consumers who want convenience and environmentally responsible containers.

Styrofoam is on the way out. The city of San Diego banned its use in restaurants this summer and a New York City ban withstood legal challenges and goes into effect January 1, 2019. Dunkin’ will eliminate polystyrene styrofoam cups by 2020. Utensils are next. In July Seattle banned plastic straws and utensils. Expect other cities to follow.

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The Dining Alliance, a group purchasing organization representing 20,000 independent restaurants, reports orders for paper and plastic to-go containers have soared 130% in the past year.

Paper straws, hot cups with compostable linings, and utensils made of sustainable and renewable raw materials are the choice of Millennials and GenZ.

“If a brand with a sustainable/organic food program uses non-organic, non-biodegradable, eco-unfriendly disposable products, the marketing disconnect can damage the reputation of the brand,” writes Dining Alliance president Christina Donahue.

Donahue said the alliance estimates paper and plastic containers are double the cost of foam to-go items ($58 per case versus $25 per case).

“Don’t just think about the increased cost of higher end containers,” she advises. “Also consider the increased opportunity for more profits. Better containers can mean better presentation, which can mean happier, more frequent customers,” she said.