Sustaining Your Success
Transcription
Sustaining Your Success
Sustaining Your Success Newsletter vol. 3 December 2010 Red, White & Blue = Green Fabri-Kal, a pioneer in innovative new product development and the eighth largest thermoformer in North America, is proud to remind supporters that all Fabri-Kal products, including their Greenware® brand, are made locally in the United States. Through the Greenware® line of products, Fabri-Kal demonstrates a strong commitment to their community as well as dedication to provide technologically and environmentally advanced packaging solutions. Greenware® is a line of renewable cold drink cups, portion cups and lids that are made entirely from plants – not petroleum. All Greenware® products are made from plant sources that are domestically-grown and annually renewable, plus they are 100% compostable in actively managed municipal or industrial facilities, where available. John Kittredge, Vice President of Marketing at Fabri-Kal thinks it’s important to acknowledge the contributions that local companies bring to their communities: “Unlike some companies that claim to be ‘green’ yet import their products and resources from overseas, we stand by our efforts to be on the forefront of sustainable product development as a domestic manufacturer. Given today’s economic and environmental climate, the words ‘Made in the USA’ are more powerful than ever. Consumer values continue to shift and for many, purchasing goods made domestically is a top priority and goes hand in hand with efforts to live more sustainably.” In addition to producing the Greenware® brand of products, Kalamazoo based Fabri-Kal is extremely committed to clearing up misconceptions about what it means to be “green.” The organization has developed a “No Greenwashing Pledge,” that vows to deliver the facts about Greenware® products and strives to correct any misinformation that may be circulating about green packaging solutions. To learn more about the benefits of Greenware® products and Fabri-Kal’s commitment to their community and the environment, please visit their website: http://www.f-k.com/no-greenwashing-pledge. Made in the United States Buying products made in the United States means reduced transportation impacts (from shipping of inputs and finished products), and cleaner, more energy-efficient production relative to imported products from less developed nations.1 Consumer Statistics Operator Perspectives • 83% of recent study respondents said they would buy “Made in America” products as their first choice if given the option between goods made in the United States and those made abroad.2 • 72% of Americans are paying heightened attention to the country of origin of products they buy.3 • According to a recent survey of Foodservice Operators, “import risks and transport costs” were named a top challenge facing foodservice operators in 2010.5 • A recent market research study found that 93% of consumers say they want to be sustainable and that many consumers are willing to pay a 10% premium for sustainable products.4 • The number of buy-local networks has doubled since 2005, while supporting evidence shows that retailers in these groups have felt less of an impact from the recession.6 Greenware® Success Stories have a rough texture or a bad taste, whereas Greenware® products look and feel like plastic. While we are an education-based, conservation organization, we also pride ourselves on using products that are high-quality and beautiful, reflective of our gardens. Harriet Resnick, Vice President of Visitor Experience and Business Development at the Chicago Botanic Garden, shares the Garden’s Greenware® success story. SYS: When did you start using Greenware® products and why? HR: We started using Greenware® at the Chicago Botanic Garden in June of 2008. We chose to use Greenware® at the Chicago Botanic Garden because there is an entire movement happening toward the use of compostable products. As a conservation organization, our role is to educate consumers and to show them where the world is moving. SYS: What reaction have you seen from consumers at the garden regarding Greenware®? HR: Consumers love the Greenware® products. And they enjoy the education that comes along with understanding the product as well. With almost 900,000 visitors to the garden each year, Greenware® certainly gets a lot of visibility. SYS: Do you have plans to compost Greenware® in the future? HR: Yes, thanks to new laws in Illinois, it will be easier for us to compost in 2011. We have plans to have a hauler pick up our food scraps and our compostable products. Then, we’d like to be able to use that high-quality compost back here within our garden programs. SYS: What attracted you to Greenware®? HR: Greenware® is one of the more attractive compostable cups available on the market. Other compostable products 1. Eco Pulse research study: http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2010/03/23/does-made-usa-green 2. Survey by FIND/SVP 3. Gallup Poll Survey 4. The Hartman Group: http://www.qsrmagazine.com/articles/exclusives/0808/sustainability-1.phtml?microsite=green 5. Foodservice Packaging Institute’s, Survey of Foodservice Operators: Results – 2010 6. http://www.retailpackaging.com/blog/2009/05/buy-local-movement-sweeping-america-2/ To see your customer’s success story in an upcoming issue, email [email protected]. Questions or comments? Please email [email protected]. www.f-k.com/green 800-888-5054 © 12/10 Fabri-Kal Corp. All rights reserved.