Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/491368
12 STiR tea & coffee industry international Closing the Loop Seattle-based SUSTAIN is on a mission to change the material supply chain by reclaiming all its Polypropylene cups. These store-branded cups are resuable, dishwasher and microwave safe and when they are no longer needed they can be recycled. "We envision a cradle-to-cradle world where products are recovered, recycled, and converted into new products, explains business development lead Justin Hanseth. "Being closed-loop may be a few years away, but we are committed to achieving this goal. We are developing the infrastructure for reverse logistics and storage networks." The production line is already "closed-loop ready" meaning that SUSTAIN has all the pieces in place to collect and reform old cups into new ones, he said. The critical three steps to complete the loop begins with bins that are returned by coffee shops by mail when filled with used cups. The company contracts with an outside vendor in Bellevue, Wash. to then clean, sort, and store used cups prior to recycling. The final step is to wash, grind, and make into pellets the recycled material which is blended with other post-consumer materials and reformulated to meet PMI's proprietary recycled Polypropylene, eCycle2. "Eventually, we hope to have a large enough supply of used SUSTAIN cups to meet the demand for new SUSTAIN cups. At this point, we will be able to close the loop on our SUSTAIN manufacturing system," said Hanseth. Learn more at www.pmi-worldwide.com/SUSTAIN "This means the U.S. importers' standard practice of shipping green coffee directly from origin to Canadian ports would become illegal," advises NCA. Canadian roasters would need to take title to coffee directly. Typically, they would not have the expertise needed to inspect and price the coffee for customs compliance purposes; and, if they were to incorrectly declare the value of their imports, they could be liable for significant penalties. NCA has submitted formal comments to CFIA and encourages American-based importers to do the same during the October comment period, to comment visit: www.inspection.gc.ca Scott Svihula Joins Teas Etc Scott Svihula is the new director of operations at Teas Etc. He will manage all aspects of operations including: purchasing, production, regulatory compliance, research & development, and quality, according to Beth Johnson, c.e.o. and founder of the West Palm Beach, Fla. firm. "Finding someone who possesses the necessary technical skill set and that is aligned with the company core values is critical to organizational success. Scott is the right person for this position, bringing technical expertise, and practical experience and that is synchronized with our values and vision," she said. "I've always admired the Company's commitment to quality and their innovative take on flavored, blended, and high-end specialty teas," said Svihula. Svihula was formerly with China Mist Tea Company. Learn more at: www. teasetc.com Choice Expands Team Peg Zaremba-Born is the new East Coast regional brand executive for Seattle-based Choice Organic Teas. "The expansion of Choice Organic Teas' foodservice sales team in this critical region will enhance distribution and bring the Choice Organic Teas specialty tea selection to the foodservice segment in New Jersey and New York," national foodservice sales director Heather Byers. Zaremba-Born began her career at Pepsico and was most recently with O.N.E. Coconut Water. Learn more at www.choiceorganicteas.com Green Tea Plant for Indonesia The largest green tea maker in Thailand has announced a joint venture with Indonesia's PT Atri Pasifix to build a $37 million processing factory. This is the first foreign expansion for Ichitan Group which is seeking to move into an Indonesian market growing at a quick pace. Ichitan will own 50% of the venture. Consumers are developing a taste for green tea in Indonesia where sales are increasing an average 15% per year. NEWS