ConverPack, Inc., of nearby Medley is planning to manufacture 60 million paper straws per month at its new 70,000 square-foot facility. With the addition of this facility, the company’s second manufacturing location, they will not only add 55 new jobs, but will now stake claim the largest manufacturer of paper straws in the state of Florida.
Since 2010, ConverPack has been a leading global manufacturer of hot and cold single-use paper cups and accessories, distributing products to clients throughout the U.S. and the world. The addition of biodegradable paper straws to its lineup of products is in keeping with a company philosophy based on a commitment to protecting human health, natural resources, and the environment.
“We are proud to be producing the paper straws in accordance with the strict guidelines set forth by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI),” said Franz Fernandez, general manager of ConverPack.
“Under ConverPack’s Ecolyptus® label, the paper straws, along with all of our products, reflect our commitment to responsible forest management and protection for our marine life.”
The Problem with Plastic
Americans use 500 million plastic straws daily, and ConverPack is working hard to curb that statistic by offering sturdy, biodegradable paper straws. “Because they are small and lightweight, plastic straws often never make it into recycling bins, and the evidence of this failure is clearly visible on Florida’s beaches,” Fernandez continued.
“Their small size makes plastic straws one of the most insidious polluters, as they are often consumed by fish, thereby making their way into our own food consumption.”
According to Salome Garcia of the Florida Plastic Free Initiative, some studies state that by 2050, the oceans will contain more plastic than fish.
“In Florida alone, fishing, tourism, and recreation support roughly 281,000 jobs and generate about $36.6 billion in GDP in the Atlantic portion of Florida. We need to break the misconception that an equitable and economically feasible transition away from plastic straws is impossible, and we applaud ConverPack’s commitment to providing an environmentally safe alternative.”
A Community that Cares
Communities and businesses worldwide are now taking seriously the detrimental impact of plastic straws on the environment and on our health, and South Florida has a heavy corporate punch behind the movement to curtail or ban them, with Bacardi and Disney among the many companies that have pledged to stop using plastic straws.
Other companies pledging to ban, or greatly limit, the use of plastic straws are American Airlines, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott International, Royal Caribbean, Starbucks, and Whole Foods.
“As longtime stewards of the environment, we have a responsibility to ensuring its health and well-being,” Fernandez added.
“From equipment and paper selection, to inks and cleaning solvents, we implement eco-friendly standards to reduce carbon footprints and minimize the environmental impact of our products and operations. We look forward to expanding that commitment with the addition of paper straws to our lineup,” he said.
ConverPack Worldwide Headquarters and Paper Cup Manufacturing Facility is located at 9230-9250 NW 102 St., Medley, FL 33178.
