Here is a timely issue - I think! Please take a moment to give me your thoughts.
We (at baristaworks.com) are going to be adding a line of the new Biodegradable / PLA (corn based) clear, cold cups shortly. We've had many requests..... We essentially have two options. One - we can purchase from a domestic (USA) supplier however their cost to us (and ultimatley to you) will be higher than the other option which is to import from China / Taiwan.
We were heading down the China / Taiwan path, when all of this news about toy recalls (Mattell, lead paint, etc.) popped up over the last couple of weeks. Lots of other products (probably more than we would ever guess) come from China. Makes me wonder if either operators or their customers would be concerned about their disposables coming from this part of the world.... your thoughts?
US v China To Go Cups
We used to buy from Solo but the costs and service was appalling - particularly the never ending unreasonable price increases. We switched to Hong Kong Cup about two years ago - huge reduction in cost, service is great, and no quality complaints at all.
I would heartily endorse the quality, and if the US manufacturers are unable to compete on cost and quality, you owe it to your business to make the change.
Our experiance was that the
Our experiance was that the Chinese cups gave us problems with lid issues. Quality of the clarity (waves in the cups). The greenware did not due to well in our coffeehouses when pouring iced coffee (hot coffee over ice). We have been selling Dart which has had no problems, intermatches lids with Solo and 1 lid (l24c) fits the 16-20-24 oz cups. Fibracal/greenware uses 1 lid for the 12/20 oz and 1 for the 16/24oz confusing employees and requiring 2 different lids in stock.
Curious
We've been having seepage problems with the PLA cups we get (Eco Cups). I'm wondering if this is a bad batch of if others have had the same problems.
Here's where we are now....
Thanks for the feedback...
"Grounded" - No worries we are for sure keeping the poly (PET) cups - too.
We have opted to go with the Fabri-Kal "greenware" PLA cup as it is a domestic product and easier / faster to source. We'll have them available very shortly. I am curious (Grounded) if your issues were with Fabri - Kal or some other supplier???
Bio Quality
Very few of my customers are concerned about where I get my cups. Never been asked. Nor do they as a whole care about biodegradable vs poly. I used to carry the corn based plastic cups and there where a few people who commented that they were glad that I did, for environmental issues. However, I had major problems with the bio plastic cups from my old vendor, to the point where 10% of the cups that they shipped to me were defective. This was from a US manufacturer. I eventually gave up and began purchasing cups from you (baristaworks.com).
I personally try to run my business in a way that I buy local first unless the cost savings of not doing so is overly compelling. I would make the same judgment in this specific case. However, I plead with you as my cup supplier to continue to sell the traditional polly cups even if you still offer the bio line (no matter what part of the world you get them from). I just do not trust the quality or the technology.
China vs. local
My vote is to support the LOCAL economy, promote local jobs. Ultimately it is local folks buying the beverage the cup contains.
And frankly, I would hope a safer product.....we can complain about all the rules and regulations, but they are there to promote public safety.