Turning the tide on waste together with new biodegradable cups
It’s official, the distinctive blue plastic water cup is no longer available to buy from Borg & Overström. Our new printed paper cups provide a better drinking experience for customers and offer a more sustainable alternative to single-use plastic.
At Borg & Overström, we believe we have a responsibility to make the best choices for our customers and the planet. This has never been more important than it is today. We take this responsibility seriously and, wherever possible, help our customers by making more sustainable choices as a company.
Plastic waste is a global problem. US citizens reportedly produce around 120kg (264Ibs) of plastic waste per person every year. The UK produces around 76kg (167Ibs) while in Sweden, it’s around 18kg (40Ibs). We are committed to reducing the amount of plastic waste we produce and to introducing more sustainable materials.
We decided to replace the 7oz blue plastic water cups with biodegradable paper ones in an effort to reduce plastic waste. These cups are made from elemental chlorine-free pulp and coated in Poly Lactic Acid (PLA), which is made from vegetable starch rather than plastic.
There’s no easy, one-size fits all solution to throw-away cups, and you may already be aware of the debate around which type of disposable cup is most environmentally-friendly. While a biodegradable paper cup is still ‘waste’, we believe it is a suitable alternative to single-use plastic.
We encourage all Borg & Overström customers to contact their local councils for recycling and composting services in their area. Our distributors can also help to reduce the number of single-use cups being used at their water coolers by encouraging customers to use refillable bottles, jugs, and cups where appropriate.
Earlier this year we launched a new range of refillable, own-branded, bottles. Each 500ml bottle is made from BPA-free TritanTM, is impact-resistant, lightweight and tough. They are ideal for refilling at our B4 water cooler. The Borg & Overström B4 is our most popular model. It has the highest dispense area in its class, which makes refilling bottles or jugs spill free.
While eliminating waste altogether may be beyond our reach, we hope that by working with our customers we can reduce our impact on the planet.
