In April 2019, Visstun, Las Vegas, announced its goal to make all paper products using 30 percent post-consumer recycled fiber by the end of the year. Not only did the company meet the 30 percent goal, it exceeded it. As of Dec. 17, 2019, all Visstun paper cups, containers and paper lids were made with Sustana’s EnviroLife post-consumer recycled fiber. Instead of just 30 percent, Visstun achieved 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,” said Joe Davis, national sales director for Visstun. “So, at no additional cost to our customers, we jumped in with both feet, upgrading all our material. The response has been awesome. 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 eco-friendly upgrade applies to all paper cup, container and lid products.
“Why focus on post-consumer recycled fiber?” said James Lake, Visstun’s 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 in our cups and containers is an important, socially responsible first step.”
There are other “green” options available, like polylactic acid, sugar cane polyethylene and other surface coatings, but, so far, none of them perform to the standards expected from Visstun.
There are a lot of important pieces to the eco-friendly 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 U.S.
To learn more about Visstun’s commitment to green initiatives, visit www.visstun.com/production/green.php.
