Toss Away Old Ideas About Disposables
Consumers can see the forest for the trees when it comes to the health of the planet and are demanding more sustainable packaging for items consumed both at home and away from home. The push for sustainable packaging was listed as one of the four top foodservice trends by Technomic in its January 18, 2019 newsletter, Technomic’s Take: Four Global Trends for 2019.
What’s more, according to survey results published in May 2019’s Packaging Trends and Outlook report from Technomic, 72% of consumers say restaurants should do more to offer environmentally friendly packaging, up from 65% four years prior.
The trends are proof that offering eco-friendly solutions can be a competitive differentiator for a restaurant. The Packaging Trends and Outlook report reveals that 34% of consumers seek out foodservice operations that use greener disposable packaging.
Switch to Biodegradable
One example of packaging that can entice sustainability-minded consumers is the Vio® line of biodegradable* foam cups and containers from WinCup. The Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) to-go products are the first on the market that are engineered to biodegrade*—92% over four years—and they cost less than other eco-friendly options on the market.
While they’re a great way to meet consumer demands, Vio foam products are also great for operators. They provide the same performance as traditional foam, with superior insulation, leak resistance, moisture resistance and cost-effectiveness, and are lightweight and versatile. With information about their ability to biodegrade* printed right on the cup or container, consumers recognize right away an operator’s commitment to leaving a lighter eco-footprint.
This new generation of to-go cups and containers fit well with diners’ parallel interests in green packaging and in portable, flavorful foods. As Technomic’s May 2019 Concept and Segment Trends report declared, bowl dishes in particular are hot right now and remain a trend to watch.
Go Bold with Bowls
For operators, bowl meals are a way to spotlight inventive, boldly flavored combinations and deliver on-the-go dining that many patrons are seeking, whether that’s comfort-food favorites such as roast chicken with mashed potatoes and peas, harvest bowls with butternut squash and farro, breakfast bowls with steel-cut oats and fresh fruits or globally inspired new favorites such as bibimbap with tofu or Vietnamese five-spice chicken salad. When you serve such desirable foods in equally desirable biodegradable containers, it’s a win-win in today’s marketplace.
Vio biodegradable* foam products for carry-out, delivery and grab-and-go include 8-oz. through 32-oz. cups and 8-oz., 12-oz. and 16-oz. food containers, with coordinating biodegradable* lids and straws. What better way to boost your popular menu items—like bowl meals—than serving them in a better container?
To learn more about Vio or download a brochure, visit VioFoam.com.
*Cups biodegrade 92% over 4 years, lids biodegrade 86.8% over 7.9 years, straws biodegrade 88.5% over 7 years. Tested under conditions that simulate both wetter and biologically active landfills using the ASTM D5511 test. Wetter or biologically active landfills may not exist in your area. The stated rate and extent of degradation do not mean that the product will continue to decompose.
This post is sponsored by WinCup