Berry Plastics Introduces Fully Recyclable To-Go Cup

Berry Plastics Group Inc., Evansville, Ind., has introduced Versalite, a fully recyclable thermal management packaging solution, in the form of #5 polypropylene (PP) to-go cups.

Jon Rich, chairman and CEO of Berry Plastics, says the technology is revolutionary and results in “a to-go cup that is recyclable and durable, all the while helping to keep their beverage hot or cold for extended periods.”

Berry Plastics says it conducted in-depth consumer and market research and integrated this insight into the Versalite cup.

“Current to-go cups are made from a myriad of singular and combined substrates including (polystyrene) foam, plastic, and paper. Unfortunately, none of the cups currently in the market offer a combination of all of the features consumers are looking for,” says Adam Unfried, president of Berry Plastics’ Rigid Open Top Division. “Recognizing this void in the marketplace, we set out to develop a cup that provided a superior consumer experience, while being recyclable.”

Jason Paladino, Berry Plastics’ vice president of research and development, adds, "During the developmental and trial stages, we worked with several companies in the recycling industry to verify Versalite’s recyclability, and also conducted multiple consumer insight studies.”

He continues, “During these tests, eight out of 10 participants who tested the Versalite cup gave it a significantly higher overall rating than the other cups tested. We know consumers want to do the right thing when it comes to the environment, and with Versalite, we’re making it easy.”