A few thoughts on Recycling PS Vending Cups

February 11, 2010

Seite 2Save a Cup Meeting

London, February 11, 2010

Consumer

Costs

Conve

nien

ce

Product Safety

Environment

Convenience Handling properties On-the-go consumption Target Group specific – i.e. elderly consumers,

teenagers etc.

Environment Peace of mind – political correctness Environmental friendly but not at higher costs No sacrifice with respect to product safety and

convenience/functionality

Costs Costs as a key driver especially in economically

challenging times Basic solutions vs. premium products Simplicity as a consumer attitude

Product Safety A must have for any food related product Ever higher standards incorporated

A view on Consumer Demands for Food Packaging

Seite 3Save a Cup Meeting

London, February 11, 2010

PS-Cups: Excellent product with an image problem

• PS Cups with ideal properties for Vending Industry – protection, functionality and costs

• However, increasingly negative image of PS-Cups with respect to environmental aspects – seen as pure waste

• Even without a professional recycling scheme the impact is much lower than generally assumed (e.g. plastic vs. china cups)

• Environmental discussions are however often conducted with rather simplistic arguments – Marketing vs. finding true sustainable solutions

• The recycling concept as a well accepted and proven approach to a sustainable environmental friendly solution (e.g. PET)

• Even aluminium was able to generate a much better image in the past decade – Switzerland

• PS as an ideal material for recycling – multiple re-usage

A strong industry initiative is needed in order to secure a good future

Seite 4Save a Cup Meeting

London, February 11, 2010

Aluminium Recycling: A positive Communication Example

Translation: „Searching: The best ideas for 100% Aluminum Recycling“„Win 50‘000 Swiss Francs“

Seite 5Save a Cup Meeting

London, February 11, 2010

Existing European Recycling Initiatives

• Several good recycling initiatives in place (e.g. Save-a-Cup, Stichting Disposables in the Netherlands) and established

• Save-a-Cup is a true innovative approach launched 1992 in the UK

• Collection of cups is crucial - but complicated and rather expensive

• Success rate today still relatively weak:

•Target must be to achieve a recovery rate of > 50%

•Recycling Food to Food packaging as the most powerful solution

• Broader support (industry and governmental) needed to really make an impact

• Communication to end-consumers and influencers as a crucial task

• Message “This cup will be recycled into a flower pot etc.” (single stream) vs. “You are drinking from a recycled cup” (close loop)

Current systems not yet strong enough and missing industry wide support

Seite 6Save a Cup Meeting

London, February 11, 2010

PS-Recycling: Benefit for the entire Supply Chain

Cup Manufacturers Future of offered products Image improvement

PS Producers Securing long term

business perspective Improved image

Recyclers New source of business Rising oil prices as additional

growth engine

Operators Ensuring a cost optimized cup

solution keeping all the tested functional advantages

Improved environmental image

We are convinced that Recycling is the strongest industry answer for the future!

Seite 7Save a Cup Meeting

London, February 11, 2010

Thank you for your attention.