For almost a year, Island Leaf Commodities has toiled to expand Lastic®'s global footprint. We've tapped our network. We've reached out to potential buyers. We've created reams of content. We've zeroed in on social engagement using Linked In.
After hosting hours of Zoom calls and sending bundles of samples to interested parties based on every continent except Antarctica (we're serious), we're finally starting to see the fruits of our labors. We're ecstatic to report that we've converted another new client into a Lastic® devotee.
While contractual agreements prevent us from divulging the client's name, we can tell you that this client is a large straw distributor in a major American city. In a nutshell, the client has provided various to-go beverage shops with straws for about a decade.
When the client began operations, they embarked on a sort of Odyssey, of which finding a solid, stable, and eco-minded supplier was like reaching Ithaca. After supplying plastic straws for a short period, they then moved to perceived-at-the-time as eco-friendly paper straws. However, beverage shop patrons soon expressed extreme dissatisfaction with the sogginess, poor performance, and discomfort caused by paper straws. Then, a producer offered a straw made from PLA.
Like most people, the customer thought the PLA-made straws would biodegrade quickly under commercial composting conditions. But they soon discovered the uncomfortable truth about PLA. Not only did they not live up to the perceptions about compostability, but the PLA straws were also quite expensive. This created problems.
It was around mid-2022 when the client reached out to us. They told us their issues during a Zoom meeting. We sent them samples and then a small order of cartons. All estrangement dissipated when they learned that Lastic®-made BAMBOO straws hold the DIN CERTCO Home and Garden Compostable Certification, the BPI World Commercially Compostable Certification and DIN CERTCO’s Commercially Compostable Certification. Working off that momentum, we then told the distributor about the cost advantages Lastic® BAMBOO straws have over PLA straws.
Currently, the client purchases several types of BAMBOO straws monthly. However, the client is interested in setting up their turnkey straw operation system by the end of the year, so they'll purchase resin and automated straw machines from Lastic®, then produce home and garden compostable straws at their own US-based facility.
We're thrilled that our footprint in the US has grown. We'll bring news about other clients and their experience distributing or using Lastic® BAMBOO products in a few months. So, bookmark the Island Leaf Blog page and continue coming back!
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