From Yahoo:
“Dunkin
partners with Wincup to test biodegradable straw as more companies go green”
Dunkin' Donuts
is testing the use of a new biodegradable straw, joining the growing number of
companies seeking to leverage sustainable business practices to address
concerns about the environment. According to WWF, the world's oceans contain
nearly 300 million tons of plastic litter right now, with another eight million
expected to be added this year alone. It's helped amplify calls for
environmentally-sound solutions from consumers, which has boosted the rising
use of biodegradable paper products.
Wincup, a
manufacturing company behind green-friendly lids, straws and cups, aims to
provide the "most economical way to take care of the environment"
with its new biodegradable Phade Straw. According to the company's CEO, the
innovation caught Dunkin's attention, and the coffee giant will pilot the
product at a few hundred of its stores. "We're
super excited about the Dunkin' trial and a few 100 of their stores, it's going
very well," Brad Laporte, CEO of Wincup, told Yahoo Finance in a recent
interview. The Phade Straw is also available in Walmart (WMT) under a private
label brand, and has even attracted the attention of a couple Disney
(DIS)-branded properties in Orlando. The Phade straw is made out of PHA, which
stands for “Polyhydroxyalkanoate" and is a substrate derived from
fermented plant oil. This alternative feels and "performs" like a
tradition straw, but is marine biodegradable, home and industrial compostable. "Plastic
straws are typically very difficult to sort and, and recycle because of their
shape and size. We went on a quest a few years ago to develop a new straw that
has at least no footprint in the environment," Laporte added. The price of
each straw depends on the size and quantity of straw, however, "costs less
than half a penny for restaurants purchasing a large quantities." They're
also available online for customers to order directly. The product is also available at more than 60
food service distributors that are selling them to restaurants and retail
stores across the country.
^ A green straw
that is biodegradable is a much better solution than simply not having straws.
I hope this pilot program succeeds and that other Restaurants, Fast Food
Places, etc. follow-suit. ^
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