June 17th, 2009

FROM GREEN RIGHT NOW REPORTS:

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has announced it’s ditching polystyrene coffee and tea cups to switch to “Bio-Cups” coated with Ingeo plant-based plastic, which are biodegradable and take up less space.

“The introduction of the Bio-Cups on board fits in perfectly with our sustainability policy,” said Bart Vos, executive vice president of In-Flight Services for KLM. “Our staff on board are also enthusiastic as the cups are not only environmentally friendly, but also easy to store and have a good design as well.”

The Bio-Cups are the result of a collaboration by KLM, Moonen Packaging of The Netherlands, and NatureWorks LLC, based in Minnetonka, Minn..  They are paper cups, reinforced with the Ingeo shell, which makes them sturdier and more moisture- and grease-resistant. They are lightweight, but rigid, making them a good choice for in-flight service.

By contrast, polystyrene cups are not biodegradable.

NatureWorks LLC, a company dedicated to providing low-carbon alternatives to conventional, petroleum-based plastics and fibers, will be supplying the Ingeo cups to KLM. NatureWorks, based in Minnetonka, Minn., is a joint-venture of Cargill and Teijin Limited of Japan. Moonen Packaging also supplies Ingeo cups to media companies, coffee retailers, and others.