CupPrint announces license agreement with Smart Planet Technologies to produce reCUP™ recyclable paper cup for UK market

New paper cup technology will provide UK and EU markets with paper cup engineered to be recyclable in standard paper recycling systems  

Newport Beach, CA, USA. – May 12, 2017 – CupPrint, a leading manufacturer of paper cups for the UK and EU markets, has licensed the reCUP paper cup technology, and will introduce reCUP in the EU and UK markets to further address the issue of the lack of paper cup recycling.

CupPrint plans to announce a General Availability date of the reCUP paper cup for the EU and UK markets shortly.  The reCUP will be available for order at http://www.cupprint.com

Traditionally, paper cups are coated with polyethylene and other polymers to seal the cup and hold the liquid contents.  However, these plastic coatings are incompatible with traditional paper recycling systems, and therefore recyclers typically sort paper cups from waste and recycling collection, and divert the cups to landfill.  In 2016, it was reported in the UK that only one in 400 paper cups were recycled.

Since that time, some coffeehouses have instituted in-store collection of paper cups for recycling by the few specialist recyclers that can recycle traditional paper cups using additional processes.  However, it is estimated that over 80% of paper cups from a coffeehouse are used for take-away and therefore not collected in a store’s waste bin, and will not make it into an in-store paper cup recycling program.  This leaves the vast majority of paper cups to be received by standard residential and commercial waste collection, and typically diverted to landfill.

The reCUP is engineered to be fully processable by standard recycling systems, allowing for the paper materials to be recovered efficiently and economically to be reused in premium recycled paper packaging.  Therefore, the reCUP provides a technology with the potential to address the recycling of all paper cups with an optimal outcome.

About CupPrint CupPrint is a leading manufacturer of paper cups for sale in UK and Europe. CupPrint’s investment in innovative technologies has revolutionized the paper cup market in the last 7 years. CupPrint’s low minimum orders and fast turnaround times has made it possible for even small coffee shops and business to have their own branded paper cups. Cupprint produces designs of unrivaled quality with high resolution printing, unique materials, and bespoke foil stamping/embossing techniques which have helped give even large brands more options when it comes to new design opportunities.

About Smart Planet Technologies Smart Planet Technologies is a materials R&D company focused on sustainability for the packaging industry.  Through innovation, their technologies are focused to conserve precious natural resources and provide high quality, environmental alternatives to a wide variety of rigid, flexible and corrugated packaging applications.

Costa trials reCUP paper cup in bid to boost recycling

To read the story in Packaging News UK, click the link below:http://www.packagingnews.co.uk/news/markets/drinks/costa-trials-recup-paper-cup-in-bid-to-boost-recycling-22-03-2017   Costa Coffee is evaluating Smart Planet Technologies’ reCUP paper cup to use in its stores.   If successful the cups could help improve acceptability of paper cups for out-of-store collection and recycling.   Now, Costa Coffee is addressing challenges in out-of-store recycling by conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the reCUP to improve the process-ability and acceptance of paper cups in standard recycling facilities across the UK, while maintaining the performance standards of Costa Coffee’s takeaway paper cup.   The evaluation will also validate the acceptance of reCUP paper cup technology under UK and EU regulations for paperboard packaging.   Will Lorenzi, president of Smart Planet Technologies, said a switch by Costa to the reCUP would serve as a ‘proven option’ for the rest of the foodservice packaging industry in the UK to consider, instead of paper cups that that are unacceptable to the standard recycling facilities.   “The reCUP has the potential to address the entire issue in a cost-effective manner, and provide the recycling industry with a new source of feedstock for recycled paper packaging.”   He added the cup could prove to be a cost-effective transition, that is manufactured on standard paper cup forming equipment at full line speeds.   Traditionally, paper cups have been coated on the interior with polyethylene or other plastics, to form the cup and hold liquid contents, but which has made paper cups difficult to recycle in standard paper recycling processes. This is the main reason for the low recycling rates when it comes to paper cups.

Smart Planet Technologies’ reCUP paper cup to be trialed by Costa Coffee in support of their recyclable paper cup initiatives in the UK

Newport Beach, CA, USA March 21, 2017 -- Smart Planet Technologies announces that Costa is evaluating the reCUP™ for a new takeaway cup solution to improve acceptability of paper cups for out-of-store collection and recycling.  

Traditionally, paper cups have been coated on the interior with polyethylene or other plastics, to form the cup and hold liquid contents. However, this has made paper cups difficult to recycle in standard paper recycling processes. Therefore, paper cups are usually separated and sorted for landfill at standard recycling facilities in the UK.

To address the problem, in the first quarter of 2017, Costa has implemented an in-store recycling scheme for its 2,000 store locations, bringing the cups to the few specialist recycling centers in the UK that can accept paper cups.

Now, Costa Coffee is addressing challenges in out-of-store recycling by conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the reCUP to improve the processability and acceptance of paper cups in standard recycling facilities across the UK, while maintaining the performance standards of Costa Coffee’s iconic takeaway paper cup. The evaluation will also validate the acceptance of reCUP paper cup technology under UK and EU regulations for paperboard packaging.

The reCUP paper cup utilizes EarthCoating as its interior coating, a mineralized resin coating engineered to be fully repulpable and processable in traditional paper recycling processes and equipment. This innovation can unlock the value in recycling paper cups for the recycling industry to potentially avert the practice of paper cups being directed to landfill. The reCUP is commercially available in the US. For more information or to place an order, visit the recup.earth website.

About Smart Planet Technologies Smart Planet Technologies is a materials engineering company focused on sustainability for the packaging industry. Our innovative technologies are focused to conserve precious natural resources and provide high quality, environmental alternatives across a wide variety of packaging applications. The reCUP is covered in multiple countries under intellectual property rights owned by Smart Planet Technologies. For more information, visit smartplanettech.com

A Dirty Secret

by Pan Demetrakakes  

In a lot of coffeehouses, the trash has a dirty secret. No matter how ecologically minded the owners or clientele are, no matter how carefully the paper coffee cups are separated from the rest of the garbage, those cups are destined for a landfill.

To read the full article, click this link: A Dirty Secret

Seventh Generation Improves the Recyclability of its Cartons

Click the link below to read the article in Packaging Digest Magazine:

http://www.packagingdigest.com/sustainable-packaging/seventh-generation-improves-the-recyclability-of-its-cartons-2017-01-12   By replacing its poly-coated carton for fabric softener sheets with an economical recyclable/repulpable alternative, Seventh Generation qualifies for the “Widely Recycled” claim on its How2Recycle label and gets a step closer to its 2020 zero-waste goal.   Yet this new carton—which marks its national debut in the first quarter of 2017 for the company’s 80-count fabric softener sheets in two fragrances: Free & Clear and Blue Eucalyptus & Lavender—offers better barrier properties.   How is this possible? The eight-month-long project began in March 2016 and the updated production specification was officially released in November. The packaging change did not require a switch in carton suppliers (Seventh Generation sources this carton from two companies but prefers not to identify them)—but it did require a change in paperboard for the cartons.   The new board stock is HiQ Eco(B) from Hansol Paper, the largest paper mill in Korea, and contains at least 60% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content and sometimes as much as 88%.   HiQ Eco(B) paperboard uses EarthCoating from Smart Planet Technologies as the liner. Hansol Paper began licensing the EarthCoating technology at the end of 2015. EarthCoating is created by blending low-cost calcium carbonate into polyolefin resin, which displaces between 40% and 60% of the plastic.   According to Smart Planet Technologies, EarthCoating is engineered for efficient processing in paper recycling systems. It fractures into small, dense particles in the pulping process, thereby avoiding the challenges found with traditional plastic coatings on paperboard. EarthCoating is repulpable and recyclable because of the blending in of the minerals, and it behaves differently in the pulper. That’s why the package qualifies for the “Widely Recycled” label.   The reduction of plastic is a bonus attribute, but highly appealing as well. Kelly Murosky, Seventh Generation packaging engineer, says, “That is important to us as we look to remove all virgin petroleum-based plastics from our packaging materials by 2020. Many of our bottles are already 100% PCR.”   The EarthCoating mineralized poly compound is extrusion coated onto the paperboard at high speeds. This alternative barrier coating is waterproof and grease-proof, as well as heat sealable. Although not needed in this case, EarthCoating is also compliant with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for food contact applications.   For the Seventh Generation dryer sheets project, the base paper is 400 grams per meter squared and the EarthCoating is 20 g/m2, applied on the inside of the carton. (EarthCoating can also be applied to a package exterior, providing barrier properties and a premium print surface.)   By making this change in packaging materials, Seventh Generation is able to upgrade its cartons from the less appealing “Check Locally” description on the How2Recycle label from the Sustainable Packaging Coalition to the coveted “Widely Recycled” category.   Murosky answers Packaging Digest’s questions about the project.   Why is it so important to qualify for the “Widely Recycled” claim?   Murosky: We try to reduce our packaging materials sent to landfill. Zero waste is one of our 2020 goals, so we strive to design products and packaging that is recyclable or biodegradable.

  Did you make any other changes to the packaging at the same time (graphics, for example)?   Murosky: No other changes were made besides the paperboard substrate and coating. Our How2Recycle logo will need to be updated on the artwork, but we’re waiting to make that change because other artwork updates are in the pipeline for the fabric softener sheet cartons. [Editor’s note: All those updates will appear in 1Q2017.]     Was the change a cost-neutral solution? Was that an important consideration in your decision to make the switch?   Murosky: Yes, the change was cost neutral. As with any project, you want to keep cost increases to a minimum. However, as a company, we have an internal carbon tax that we use to fund packaging sustainability changes. Essentially that fund helps offset the price increase to new sustainable packaging components so that it does not affect margin. Luckily, in this case, we did not have a cost increase to offset.   What other solutions did you consider and why didn’t you go with them?   Murosky: No other solutions were considered. We would have stuck with our current poly coating if the project was not successful.   Did your manufacturing partner [which Seventh Generation asked not to be named] have to make any changes to the packaging line because of the new cartons?   Murosky: No line changes were needed. The new board substrate had no effect on packing line efficiencies or scrap.   What tests did you do to ensure the new box was compatible with the product and protected it?   Murosky: We have a vigorous qualification process at Seventh Generation. I put the product through a variety of tests to ensure that the new substrate preformed at parity or better to our current configuration. There was a:   • Graphics review to ensure the new board substrate had the same print quality;   • Box performance testing (carton drop tests, case drop tests, tear feature test, environmental chamber testing) to ensure that the board adequately protected the substrate (fabric softener sheets) and prevented oil migration;   • Substrate compatibility testing to ensure that the mineralized poly-coating did not interact with our fabric softener sheets in any way.   We also had each of our suppliers preform testing:   • Converting (printing/cutting) trials at the carton supplier;   • Packaging line trials and substrate compatibility evaluation at our manufacturing partner;   • Third-party lab testing to evaluate board performance (oil resistance, water absorption, water-vapor transmission rate/WVTR).   What did the results show regarding the package’s barrier properties?   Murosky: The barrier properties of the EarthCoating performed better than our previous packaging, allowing us to confidently make the switch.   Did you do any tests yourselves on the recyclability of the package or was that all handled as part of the How2Recycle label application process?   Murosky: That was all handled by Smart Planet to receive the “Widely Recycled” logo certification from the Sustainable Packaging Coalition.   How much did Walmart’s Sustainability Index, or the new Playbook, influence your decision to go with this particular package?   Murosky: It actually didn’t really affect our decision. The project was basically complete when Walmart’s Sustainable Packaging Playbook came out. As a brand, we are always trying to push the limit on packaging sustainability and meet our 2020 sustainability goals.   Where are your fabric softener sheets sold?   Murosky: Across the USA. Our top buyers are Amazon, UNFI and Kehe.   Do you plan to replace other cartons/boxes with this package?   Murosky: Yes, we are looking into it for our two other poly-coated paper carton packaging configurations used for boxed powders: Natural Powdered Laundry Detergent and Auto Dish Powder.