New ‘Charter of Trust’ Founded to Reinforce Standards for Paper Straws

UK-based sustainable packaging company, Transcend Packaging, alongside other straw producers and companies from across the paper straw supply chain, have founded a new charter of trust for compliance standards relating to all aspects of paper straw production.

Already with 14 signatories from across the paper straw supply chain including straw manufacturers and suppliers of adhesives, paper, machinery and inks, the group has formed in response to the rapidly rising number of paper straws being used across Europe, and the need for the marketplace to have a simple way to procure straws that are in full compliance with all applicable UK and EU standards.

All businesses signed up to the charter of trust for paper drinking straws will have to meet all regulatory standards set in Europe by the EU and national governments. This is applicable for all components of the paper straw, from paper to adhesives and inks. The hope is to create an identifiable segment of the paper straw market where all players in the supply chain have pledged full compliance with applicable regulations.

As the paper straw has grown in prominence, it is clear that small and middle-sized businesses do not always have the capacity to make informed decisions about the quality of the paper drinking straws they are buying. Similarly, national authorities often lack the resources to check the compliance of imports and of products already circulating in the market. This is what led to the creation of the Charter of Trust, which will be reinforced with the launch of a registered trust mark for compliant products and brands later this year.

Lorenzo Angelucci, CEO of Transcend Packaging, said: “We are delighted to help launch the Charter of Trust for Paper Drinking Straws, alongside key industry partners, who are all committed to manufacturing the highest quality products that are in full regulatory compliance across the UK and EU.  The charter is undeniably an important move in this rapidly growing product category that ensures that paper straws used in the UK and Europe meet or exceed all relevant regulatory standards. By launching the quality charter, we have brought together the key parts of the supply chain to ensure that all relevant elements are in regulatory compliance and that major brands understand the importance of this programme when making procurement decisions.”

Anna-Michelle Asimakopoulou, MEP, congratulated the group for creating the Charter of Trust: “This shows initiative, it shows dedication to high quality and it shows, above all, respect for the European consumer. We need all of these things in Europe today.”

Asimakopoulou is a Greek member of the European Parliament and Vice-Chair of its influential International Trade Committee. She added: “I am most impressed by the way you, as a European industry, have responded constructively to the Single Use Plastics Directive ban [on plastics drinking straws], innovating your product lines and adapting your manufacturing facilities. This has required great efforts and significant investment in a very short timeframe. Thank you for this and for becoming European leaders.”

Anne Sutton, President of 360° Foodservice, explained that 360° Foodservice is the brand new incarnation of the European trade association formerly known as Pack2Go Europe. Sutton commented, “Our goal is to lead the responsible and sustainable evolution of the packaging and related items – like drinking straws – that are used to safely serve food and drinks in Europe”.

Transcend Packaging is an industry leader in paper straw production and has already won several major contracts with high street brands, supplying eco-friendly paper straws to the likes of McDonald’s and KFC. Transcend recently unveiled the first on-pack bendable straw in the UK for juice brand Ribena, and recently opened its second plant as it expands into Europe, which is based in