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FOODSERVICE DISPOSABLES

Plastic disposable products are another area distributors can sell into the foodservice sector. Jet Plastica manufactures these products for all types of organizations that provide food and beverage service. Their offerings include cutlery, straws, stirrers and kits.

“We offer a full line of cutlery to meet the needs of every service organization,” says Dave Lutz, business development manager for Jet Plastica. “The polypropylene line is designed for cost-conscious customers looking for a break-resistant, economical choice. The polystyrene products were developed for organizations that want a stiffer, heftier product that performs better.”

Frequent customers of polypropylene products include school and government cafeterias, sandwich shops and stadiums. Polystyrene cutlery buyers include hospitals, quick serve restaurants, cafeterias and senior care facilities.

RECYCLING AND REUSE

While biodegradability and compostability are not yet features of Jet Plastica’s full line of cutlery, they continue to invest in new technologies to further raw material recycling and promote source reduction. Over the last 30 years, plastics manufacturers have invested significant resources to increase the recycled content of post-industrial scrap in their products.

“We have implemented many conservation processes and recycling programs,” says Lutz. “We are trying to minimize our waste stream and reduce our use of power, air and water. We are currently investing in technology that will reclaim more post-industrial polypropylene scrap.”

ADVICE

The reason the foodservice sector is attractive is because many times the distributor is already selling other products to these customers.

“A distributor is a salesperson, and to sell means to serve,” says Rice. “Allowing customers to become aware of these new items is a service. Presenting customers with various alternatives that fit their needs and perform well will keep them coming back for more.”