The latest eco-friendly innovations introduced by US food and beverage conglomerate PepsiCo (Purchase, New York; www.pepsico.com) are five different kinds of recyclable and compostable cups, designed to allow North American foodservice customers to pick and choose which cup can be easily locally recycled. If made of plastic, the new cups contain up to 20% post-consumer recycled PET. In addition, PepsiCo has introduced compostable paper and wax cups made of plant-based materials.

Each cup displays a “green” image and conveys an environmental message, meaning they do not just constitute an advancement in technology, “but also in the way we communicate,” said PepsiCo Foodservice’s Margery Schelling.

The US food and beverage giant said the cups were developed in response to growing demand for eco-friendly packaging, especially among the younger generation. According to the company’s press release, “research shows that 94% of consumers are concerned about the environmental effects of beverage packaging, and 60% of Millennials and Gen-Xers would be willing to pay slightly more for recycled beverage packaging that’s better for the environment.”

Earlier this year PepsiCo had introduced what it calls the world’s first PET bottle made entirely from plant-based, fully renewable resources – see Plasteurope.com of 22.03.2011.