The Vegware brand is a promise to the world: to be the
world's best-known brand of eco food packaging and catering
disposables. Within your own lifetime, how many
pieces of disposable ware have you thrown into the
trash? We are talking cups, cutlery, napkins, soup containers,
or takeaway boxes. If you are like most Americans,
perhaps that number is unfathomable?
Established in October of 2008 by Bob Bond, VegwareUS, Inc.'s passion for the green movement globally has
quickly catapulted them to the forefront of completely
compostable food packaging and catering disposables.
"We are making people feel better about disposables,"
explains Bond, President and CEO of Vegware US, Inc.
Vegware's distribution center is based in Danielson, CT.
Their packaging is made from plant-based materials,
economical and fit for purpose. No petroleum products
are used in the manufacturing of their cups, cutlery,
tableware, and to go containers. Vegware claims to be
the best possible environmental choice for disposables,
with their products being made from all renewable or recycled
materials. Vegware products are also completely
compostable making it readily recyclable. Vegware can
be found everywhere, from coffee shops, hospitals, hotels,
restaurant chains, schools and even music festivals.
"I was informed that we will be used at Lollapalooza
and several other festivals over the summer all over the
US," says Bond. "You never know where we might pop
up. It is fun to walk into a new place in a new city and
find Vegware. It is quite a rush. Right now we are working
with the Bellagio Hotel in Vegas and the Harrah's
group in Las Vegas. I also understand that a chain of
restaurants called The Yard House (who I think are in
your neck of the woods) just committed to Vegware. I
know that every week new coffee shops from Dallas to
Chicago and Florida to New York City decide to switch
over to Vegware. There are so many names and locations
that they really escape me."
Bond's idea to start Vegware has its origins from an
unlikely source… Bond's years working with stainless
steel. Bond has owned a stainless steel manufacturing
factory since 1993.
"Most people do not realize that steel is the most recycled
product in the world," Bond reveals. "My company
Siri Wire has always used non-hazardous methods
for the manufacturing of stainless steel. Unfortunately,
stainless steel is incredibly durable. So, often it does not
wear out or corrode in a lifetime. This kind of limited repeat
business. I wanted to find an earth friendly disposable
product and Vegware's 'completely compostable'
nature fit the bill."
The expansion of Vegware globally was the accomplishment
of Dr. Joe Frankel from the United Kingdom. Vegware
was Frankel's brainchild. As Bond reveals, Vegware
was something Frankel thought up while on a work assignment
in Berkeley, CA. He then returned home to Edinburgh,
Scotland and started Vegware.
"Vegware UK has approximately a one year jump on our
operations," says Bond. "I consider Joe my brother from
another mother. He is one of the sweetest and smartest
people I have ever had the pleasure to know."
Vegware is still in its humble beginnings. Vegware is still a
young company that only started making a little money in the
last couple of months. Between 2010 and 2011, their sales grew
four fold. With that kind of rapid growth comes some extremely
uncomfortable growing pains.
"The actual attaining of certifications is costly, time consuming
and costly," explains Bond. "Each certifying body has its own
peculiarities and regimens, and often there is some confusion
within their organizations as to the flow of materials through
their testing facility and how long things take. It was really exhausting
and took us the first two years we were in business to
get to the point where we have the most complete certifications
in the industry today. Vegware is ASTM 6400, BPI, Din Certo,
OK Compost and Cedar Grove certified. No other company has
all of these in conjunction with over one hundred products."
"I am not wealthy," reveals Bond. "In fact, I'm pretty much a
pauper after this recession. As a result, Vegware US is actively
looking for an equity partner to get us to the next level. Venture
capitalists really frighten me because they are not about the
Vegware dream. They are about making a bunch of money fast
and finding an exit strategy. I want to have a positive impact on
my environment while making a good income. It's important to
me that I leave my children a legacy they can be proud of and
want to carry on. I guess my dream is to find an angel investor
with the same desire, as I have to do the right thing. The
reality is that I would give up 24% of my company to the right
person who could invest two million dollars and be a real equity
partner. That would get us to a very firm footing for the future.
Anyone interested in contacting me to partner in our mission or
just share ideas should feel free to call me."
Vegware is a pioneer in the development and manufacture of
eco-friendly catering disposables and food packaging. Their
products are stylish, functional, economic and sustainable. Vegware
ranges from cutlery to tableware, napkins, hot and cold
drink cups, and takeaway packaging.
Vegware's commitment to the green movement is intertwined
with their philosophy. By harnessing technology in creative
ways, we can reduce the impact of today's consumer society.
Vegware's products are made from plants. By choosing natural
materials, we can reduce pollution, the use of finite resources,
and the amount of waste that must be disposed of in a landfill.
For more information on Vegware US, Inc., please visit
www.vegware.us
Vegware UK has customers all over Europe and has even launched Food Waste Network. Launched
in the UK, Food Waste Network links people with similar concerns in and around the world of composting. It allows these people to reach out to each other and voice their concerns, find composting facilities, and form a community of likeminded individuals and people. It was started last year in the UK and Vegware US hopes to adopt it in the states soon.Vegware is very proud of their growing international presence. Bond is always looking to expand Vegware's reach, even branching out to South America as they are currently working with a new group in Brazil. Vegware is also constantly creating relationships with commercial composters and waste haulers to assist their end users in properly disposing of their products and completing the products' lifecycle by turning it back into soil. "Vegware is always developing new products. Recently, we developed a clear dome lid to put on our soup containers to convert them into ice cream containers for the summer. Our newest version of CPLA cutlery just got Cedar Grove certification, proving it turns to soil in just sixty days in a commercial composter, yet the cutlery has been sturdy in use up to 185 degrees Fahrenheit! We recently developed a double walled insulated hot cup and are coming out with deli containers that are stackable and have a common sized lid. In addition to all this, we have a lined sandwich wedge about to enter production for the recent grab and go craze. It never stops. We expect our products to be on display at the Edward Don Booth at the National Restaurant Association show May 5th-9th in Chicago. It is the largest food show in the US."
Article written by: Randy Villarba www.randywrites.com
Originally published EcoTistic Magazine
Reproduced here with permission.
