Policy and News

In the News

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F o o d

D e l i v e r y

Food delivery is now a major business. In 2020 food-deliverv sales in the U.S. were approximately $51 billion, increasing by $28 billion from 2019. As the food delivery industry has grown, so have concerns around food safety. For example, nobody wants their food to be half-eaten when delivered because the driver was hungry!

According to a recent NPR study of 500 drivers, nearly 30% of drivers are snacking from the food they are responsible for delivering. The same NPR study found that 85% of consumers recommend adding a tamper-proof seal to ensure that their food has not been tampered with. However, there are concerns that the 30% of drivers eating food could be much higher. One poll published in 2021 showed that 80% of food delivery drivers admitted to eating some of a customer's order.

Not only do 85% of customers recommend adding a tamperproof seal, but they are also more likely to order from a business that provides tamper-proof seals. For example, Peter D'Amelio, the President and COO of Not Your Average Joe's and the former President and COO of the Cheesecake Factory, saw his business grow nearly 50% when it added safety seals to his togo orders. D'Amelio attributes the growth in business to customers wanting to feel reassured about where their food has been.

ReRoute's Tamper-Evident Safety Seal (sticker) is designed to indicate any level of tampering-adding an extra layer of security to any item being delivered. Once the sticker has been removed from the surface, it was applied to, it cannot be reapplied and leaves a permanent residue behind. The permanent residue left behind can display a customized message you may want to share with your clients. Safety Seals can be used on metal, plastic, cardboard, glass, wood, and painted metals.

For customers, a food safety seal provides peace of mind and assurance that their food has not been tampered. In addition, a food safety seal is an easy way for businesses to increase sales and instill consumer confidence as food delivery dominates the market today.

I n

t h e

N e w s Agave

In recent years governments have begun to take issue with single use plastics.

Ordinances have regulated everyday items from grocery bags to drinking straws. Efforts to reduce the use of plastic straws have seen large increases in the sale of paper alternatives. This is because paper straw manufacturers have touted the environmental benefits of paper straw alternatives. However even the most environmentally conscious consumer is not happy with these paper products. Environmentalists have raised concerns with emissions related to production paper products and the biodegradability of certain paper straws. Consumer support for reduction of single use plastics has been generally high, however; satisfaction with paper straws has been surprisingly low.

The main motivation for the switch to paper straws was to protect the environment.

However, taking a further look into production of paper products reveals some worrying details. First, the production of paper products leads to larger degrees of pollution. This takes the form in both chemicals leeching into run-off water and greenhouse gas emission. Furthermore, while it is true paper straws are biodegradable, it is no guarantee these straws follow their intended lifecycle. For example, they need to be properly disposed of in order to be composted. If consumers simply throw away their straws with normal trash the paper straws will end up in a landfills, which limit paper’s decomposition process. Individuals are just a drop in the bucket of straw consumers. Restaurants and bars make up most paper straw consumers. Proper disposable of paper straws would require all restaurants to practice correct composting practices for these straws to be truly biodegradable.

Further issues with paper straws relate to their practicality. While most consumers can get on board with protecting the environment, many still prefer the structure of plastic straws. Among the most common complaints from consumers relate to the taste, texture, and structure. NC State professor of natural resources, Lokendra Pal, conducted a study of paper straws examining their physical and compositional properties. One of their findings was that paper straws had lose 80-90% of their structural stability within thirty-minute of exposure to liquid. Some paper straws even have an unpleasant taste due to a wax coating keeping the straw together.

Agave straws provide a truly sustainable solution to the issues related to paper straws.

Agave Straws are made from the leftover stalks that were no longer needed for tequila production. These straws are completely biodegradable and can be composted.

Agave straws’ sustainability is twofold. As a result of its upcycling process Agave straws make use of agave pulp that would have otherwise been unused. Additionally, the production process leads dramatically lower levels of emissions than paper and plastic alternatives. Furthermore, Agave straws are fully biodegradable as they can fully decompose, thanks to microorganisms, in landfill conditions in one to five years. Agave straws also address the structural issues of paper alternatives. This is because the agave fibers are able to more closely replicate the texture of plastic straws. As a result, Agave straws rarely ever experience the soggy texture that consumer associate with paper straws.

C a l i f o r n i a ReRoute Americas Applauds California’s Efforts to Reduce Plastic Waste Naples, Florida –ReRoute Americas, a company committed to helping the restaurant industry meet the challenging needs of supply and demand as well as address food safety and third-party delivery platforms applauds Governor Gavin Newsome and the California legislature regarding the passage of California Senate Bill 54 into law.

SB-54 will require all packaging in the state to recyclable or compostable by 2032. These efforts will prevent microplastics from accumulating in soil and waterways, protecting Californians. All single-use packaging and foodware, including non-plastic items, must be recyclable or compostable by 2032, according to the law. In addition, producers will be required to cut plastic packaging by 25 percent in 10 years. Those producers found in violation would be subject to fines.

“ReRoute commends California for this important step in the right direction and hopes to see other states follow suite,” said ReRoute Cofounder and CEO Patrick Bishop. “Our agave products provide a truly sustainable solution that California is seeking to solve. Plastic alternatives such as a paper have drawbacks compared to innovative solutions such as agave. As a result of its upcycling process, agave can be turned into products such as that would have otherwise been unused. Further, agave straws are completely biodegradable and can be composted,”said Bishop.

ReRoute Americas is an American-owned and operated company headquartered in Naples, FL, committed to helping the restaurant and hospitality industry meet the challenging needs of supply and demand and address food safety and third-party delivery platforms. As a supply chain innovator and disruptor, ReRoute Americas offers an alternative to buyers by partnering with North, Central, and South American manufacturing companies to bring high-quality products at a more affordable rate with faster delivery times to The United States. Our products are fully recyclable, composed of plastics and biodegradable materials created in humane conditions that lessen our dependence on Asia for our supply needs. Our ReRoute team is dedicated to providing the best customer service while being socially, environmentally, and economically conscious. Above all, ReRoute Americas is committed to having a positive environmental and social impact so the earth and all those living on it will benefit.

Featuring more than 50 environmentally friendly products, including high-end alternatives for restaurateurs and hoteliers, ReRoute Americas is the leading supplier in the United States of cutting edge eco-friendly products with quick turnaround. For further information, visit www.ReRouteAmericas.com

Policy

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ReRoute Public Comment ReRoute America applauds the Biden Administration and the General Service Administration (GSA) for seeking to revise GSA policies and procedures to reduce single-use plastics in purchased products.

GSA’s announcement would not be possible without Executive Order 14057, Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability, which directed GSA to use federal procurement policy as a way to support a recycled content market.

About ReRoute ReRoute Americas is an American-owned and operated company headquartered in Naples, Florida that is committed to helping the food and beverage industry meet the challenging needs of single- use plastics. As a supply chain innovator and disruptor, ReRoute Americas offers an alternative to consumers by partnering with North, Central, and South American manufacturing companies to bring high-quality products at a more affordable rate with faster delivery times. Our products are made of fully recyclable plastics and compostable materials produced in humane conditions that lessen our dependence on Asia for our supply needs.

Above all, ReRoute Americas is committed to having a positive environmental and social impact so the earth and all those living on it will benefit. ReRoute Americas is committed to making a difference, honoring every production level so as not to disrupt the planet. As a result, ReRoute has recognized a significant need to replace single-use plastics with consumer-friendly alternatives. ReRoute offers wholly recyclable and compostable cutlery, straws, to-go containers, and many more products. A substantial component of ReRoute’s success has been the use of agave in manufacturing these products.

Plastic waste is a concerning issue because its chemical makeup makes it extremely difficult to decompose under normal conditions. As a result, thousands of tons of plastic end up in landfills across America daily. For example, Americans use 500 million drinking straws every day, and roughly half of the global annual plastic production is destined for a single-use product.

What are the differences (performance and cost) between paper-based, aluminum-based, or compostable packaging and single-use plastic-based packaging?

Traditional plastics have been a staple in the American consumer marketplace for decades. However, due to the low cost to produce and performance of single-use plastics, the transition to the more sustainable and comparable utility of plastic has been bumpy. For instance, the transition from plastic to paper straws has not been a successful rollout. However, even the most environmentally conscious consumer is unhappy with these paper products. Paper straws easily fall apart, affect the product’s taste, and sometimes produce an unpleasant odor.

At ReRoute, we know businesses will be slow to adopt alternatives to single use-plastics if the cost difference is too extreme. That is why ReRoute has worked tirelessly to make our products in line with the cost of single-use plastics. Our straws provide a sustainable solution to the downsides of paper and plastic straws.

Agave straws are made from the stalks that were no longer needed for tequila production. As a result of its upcycling process, ReRoute’s use of agave pulp that would have otherwise been unused. Additionally, the production process leads to dramatically lower emissions levels than paper and plastic alternatives.

Furthermore, the agave sleeve is 100% biodegradable and designed for cold and

hot meals up to 125 F. The sleeve will degrade in an aerobic or anaerobic environment within 1-5 years.

Additionally, there is no production of microplastics in its degradation process. The bio-based agave product line is USDA certified, and FDA approved. Agave straws also address the structural issues of paper alternatives because the agave fibers can more closely replicate the texture of plastic straws. As a result, Agave straws rarely experience the soggy texture that consumers associate with paper straws.

Does your company have experience using environmentally preferable packaging?

To address single-use containers, ReRoute makes use of bagasse, a sustainable material derived from plant-based sources. More specifically, bagasse is produced from sugarcane byproducts. Like, our agave products, this process of upcycling combined with plastic reduction has exponential impacts on limiting our carbon footprint, which makes bagasse an ecofriendly choice for food packaging. In addition, bagasse food containers are microwave safe and won’t emit toxic fumes when heated. These food containers are also durable enough to take home leftovers.

ReRoute hopes to contribute to a healthier environment and more convenient dining experience. ReRoute remains committed to its goal and aims to continue launching ecofriendly products meeting the needs of both customers and the planet. The company is starting to grow rapidly as consumers notice these products’ quality and benefits. ReRoute fulfills hundreds of weekly deliveries, servicing clients across the restaurant and hospitality industries.

What is the best way for GSA to aid its contractors in moving to environmentally preferable packing and packaging, and how quickly should it move?

ReRoute believes the government should move to implement environmentally preferable packing and packaging as soon as possible. The longer the government delays, single-use plastics will continue to create dangerous environmental conditions. ReRoute believes the best way to aid contractors is to offer incentives for contractors with a sustainable solution.

Incentives could include points in the RFP process. Another idea is to implement a “Buy Sustainable” clause similar to Buy American clauses GSA already requires.

How could compliance with reduced or eliminated plastic content be verified?

First, a contractor should be required to submit product documentation verifying compliance with the contract’s sustainable requirements. The government should then use an independent third party to verify the accuracy of the submission. Any contractor should be vetted and approved by the Government to verify the accuracy of the information and ensure that the products approved are actually good for the environment.

Conclusion ReRoute is excited that the Biden Administration is taking a holistic approach to our environment. Eliminating single-use plastics is just one ring in the chain that will reverse the effects of climate change. At ReRoute, we know that the sustainability of our products is just one requirement of being a good steward. Therefore, ReRoute has examined its entire supply chain to ensure that we follow all best practices.

ReRoute looks forward to working with the Biden Administration and other leaders to eliminate single-use plastics. Upcycled products such as agave are innovative solutions that perform just as well as plastic but are significantly better for the environment. We encourage the GSA to examine innovative production solutions such as agave when deciding how to eliminate the harmful use of single-use plastics.