World Centric debuts compostable cold cups at Expo East

09-Sep-2019 - Last updated on 09-Sep-2019 at 12:23 GMT

A new line of cold beverage NoTree containers will join World Centric’s packaging designed for hot drinks. The bamboo-based cups will be introduced at the Expo East show in Baltimore this week.

World Centric began manufacturing compostable products in 2004 to help the foodservice industry reduce its environmental impact. Its plant materials come mostly from a bamboo base, and the company has developed more than 250 tableware, cutlery and food packaging products to date.

The NoTree cold cup line will include 12oz, 16oz and 22oz cup sizes that are BPI Certified and meet FDA guidelines for food use. The products are designed free from color bleaching and have a bio-based lining inside and out that is meant to prevent leaking and condensation.

The cups can compost in about 3-6 months in a commercial composting system, and pair with plastic lids from Ingeo, which designs certified compostable, plant-based plastic.

Mark Stephany, senior VP of sales at World Centric, said "We're proud to be a market leader in creating innovative, sustainable products for the food service industry, while reducing our use of paper made from trees.”

“Our new cold cup collection gives restaurants and other food service providers an alternative that is better for the environment, and meets consumer demand for more sustainable practices."

World Centric said it chose bamboo as the base of its products because bamboo is a fast-growing, renewable alternative to traditional tree fiber. Using bamboo fibers for paper rather than wood trees also “helps protect our fast dwindling forests, and supports wildlife and indigenous cultures whose lives are dependent on them,” according to World Centric.

Earlier this summer, World Centric announced that its products would be launching at more than 750 Target stores across the US, including plates, bowls, cutlery, straws and clear cups. The new cold-specific line debuts at the 2019 Expo East show, September 11-14 in Baltimore.

World Centric said it donates 25% of its profits to organizations that address social and environmental issues, with more than $1.17m allocated for donations in 2018.

“During our daily purchasing life, we need to think about the products we’re buying and ask ourselves: How did it get to the shelf? What did it do to the environment to get there? Where will it go when I’m done with it?” World Centric said.