Nexus®100 Cup Bank from Glasdon U.K. Limited collects used drinks cups for recycling and stores waste liquid separately. The four cup apertures on top of the unit accept the majority of sizes of disposable cups. The unique stacker moulding on the inside of the door and body collect cups neatly and compactly within a clear plastic sack.

VI takes a look at the latest developments in disposables and recycling…

Companies are now doing far more than just recycling their goods - they are choosing materials with a lower environmental impact; reducing their carbon footprint and even using them to market their business or advertise others. It’s no longer about being seen to be green - it’s about embedding sustainability into every aspect of the business.

A cost effective marketing tool, companies that invest in their ‘throw away’ items will enhance their image in a way that impacts positively on the environment. And while the strength of a product or brand does not rely solely on good packaging, the marketing machine will soon run out of steam without it. Vending International investigates…

Writing for Euromonitor International, it’s clear that Dr. Benjamin Punchard believes in the power of packaging to convey a brand message; he says that it’s the greatest advert for a product as it is what the consumer sees on the shelf when they make their purchase: “As such no matter how vast an advertising budget is available, those brands that succeed are those that recognise the importance of packaging for brand recognition and marketing, for that on-shelf consumer impact, and as the contact point for the brand relationship.”

Benders now extend the traceability coded printed on the bottom of their paper cups to cover all vending paper cups manufactured for the UK and European markets. Even though Benders manufacturer one of the most reliable vending cups in the market, the traceability initiative is another example of their commitment to improved quality, making it easier for the vending operator and ensuring that the operators maximise their profit opportunities.

Packaging manufacturer Huhtamaki supported the first-ever UK Coffee Week (4th - 10th April 2011). John Young, the company's UK Foodservice Sales & Marketing Director commented: “We’ve been delighted to be involved with UK Coffee Week, a great event aimed at helping an extremely worthy cause!  As one of the world’s leading packaging manufacturers, we play a key role within the coffee industry and continue to develop innovative concepts which add to the vibrancy of the industry.”

Companies can make an internal and external statement that theirs is a company that cares, by investing in more environmentally friendly disposables. RPC Tedeco-Gizeh has designed a range of stickers for vending machines that enable customers who use the company’s B’Green cups to highlight their efforts to support the environment. Being seen to be green is clearly important for businesses but the opportunities to advertise your green credentials or enhance your corporate identity do not stop there.

The Save a Cup scheme was established by the vending, food service and plastics industries to collect the millions of hard wall polystyrene cups used in the UK every week. The scheme is run by the Save a Cup Recycling Company, the objective of which is to increase the number of cups collected in line with Government targets for recycling packaging waste.

The Save a Cup scheme was established by the vending, food service and plastics industries to collect the millions of hard wall polystyrene cups used in the UK every week. The scheme is run by the Save a Cup Recycling Company, the objective of which is to increase the number of cups collected in line with Government targets for recycling packaging waste.