In April 2019, Visstun announced their goal to make all paper products using 30 percent Post-Consumer Recycled Fiber by the end of the year. Not only did they meet the 30 percent goal, they exceeded it. As of December 17, 2019, all Visstun paper cups, containers, and paper lids were made with Sustana’s EnviroLife Post-consumer recycled fiber. Instead of just 30%, Visstun achieved an industry leading 35 percent Post-Consumer Recycled content.
Rather than offer the recycled cups as an option, Visstun replaced all the paper used for all cup types with recycled paper. “We felt it was too important a step to only go half-way. So, at no additional cost to our customers, we jumped in with both feet, upgrading all our material. The response has been awesome,” says Paula Thompson, Visstun National Sales Director. “With this first major step towards more sustainable products behind us, we’re continuing our research and testing of advanced eco-friendly materials. We’re looking for that perfect sustainable cup.” This ecofriendly upgrade applies to ALL paper cup, container, & lid products including Paper Hot, Cold and Microwave Cups and Containers as well as Vx2 Double Wall Cups and P2TM Paper Lids.
“Why focus on Post-Consumer Recycled Fiber?” asks James Lake, Visstun cup production manager. “Right now, the United States has a recycling crisis. Consumers are recycling paperboard products more than ever… but, there’s nowhere for it to go. Visstun decided that providing a use for Post-Consumer Recycled Fiber (PCF) in our cups and containers is an important, socially responsible first step.”
There are other “Green” options available like PLA, Sugar Cane PE, and other surface coatings; but, so far, none of them perform to the standards expected from Visstun. Many of the current “eco-friendly” options have a significantly higher price tag or their eco-claims are tenuous. There are a lot of important pieces to the Eco-Friendly “Green” puzzle and using renewable and recycled resources is just the beginning. Visstun has explored many different options and is working to get to a cup that is compostable or biodegradable and Made in the USA. Stay tuned for future developments.
