From Styrofoam Cups to

Plastic Cups

Megan Harvey
BUSN 179
Spring 2019
Deirdre Frontczak
Table of Contents

Executive Summary 3

Problem 4

Project Description 6

Cost Analysis 8

Assessment Strategy 9

Conclusion 10

Appendix

Memo to Employees 11

Infographic 12

Photos of Cups 13

Works Cited 14

2
Executive Summary

Styrofoam cups have many negative impacts on the environment as well as on humans’
health. While these cups are popular for their ability to keep foods and drinks warm or cold
and their cheap nature, their harmful impacts do not outweigh their positive aspects.

Inta Juice Fruit Smoothies1 aims to make the world a better place one smoothie at a
time by promoting health through smoothies, vegetable juices, and supplements. We love what
we do and are passionate about customer service. We engage with our customers to ensure a
positive experience each and every time they come into our stores. We provide a product that
is both healthy and delicious. Our smoothies are made with real fruit and 100% juices with no
added sugar or syrups.

We go against our mission to make the world a better place as some of our franchises
utilize styrofoam cups to serve smoothies. Styrofoam contributes to permanent landfill waste
as it is not biodegradable or recyclable. Our nation’s landfills are filling up quickly therefore
an effort to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills is necessary. A recent trend in
various cities across the United States to ban styrofoam products poses the need for
eliminating styrofoam cups in franchises. Some cities have completely banned styrofoam
products while others have implemented fines for the use of styrofoam. Eliminating styrofoam
cups from our franchises will reduce the amount of waste in our nation’s landfills and make
our business model more sustainable.

1
Inta Juice Fruit Smoothies is an organization with eight franchises across the United States. Inta Juice aims to
promote health by providing over 50 smoothie combinations with no added sugars or syrups.

3
Problem

Environmental Impact

• Styrofoam is not biodegradable and non-recyclable.

• Styrofoam makes up 30% of landfill composition and 1,369 tons of styrofoam
is buried each day in United States landfills. Styrofoam breaks into small pieces
and becomes increasingly difficult to clean up.
• The cost of recycling styrofoam is high.
• The California Department of Conservation found that the cost of recycling a
single ton of styrofoam is $3,000. As the United States produces 3 million tons
of styrofoam per year, the total cost amounts to $9,000,000,000.
• Animals are at risk of death when ingesting styrofoam.
• Styrofoam absorbs pollutants and harmful compounds in water. Animals
mistake small pieces of styrofoam for food and therefore consume the
styrofoam and pollutants it contains. Animals may die because they are unable
to digest styrofoam.
• Styrofoam was found to be the second most prevalent debris on beaches from a
study that observed 43 beaches in Orange County, California.

Future Environmental Outlook

• Landfills are not a sustainable form of waste management.

• In 2009, there were 30,000 landfills in the United States. When a landfill is full,
the existing one is widened or a new one is built.

Human Health Impact

• The World Health Organization classified styrofoam as a possible carcinogenic.

• Research shows that humans exposed to styrofoam are twice as likely to
develop leukemia.
• Styrofoam is made from fossil fuels and synthetic chemicals.
• When styrofoam comes in contact with hot, greasy, and acidic foods, chemicals
can seep into the foods, causing the user to ingest the synthetic chemicals.
• The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences found that the
chemicals used to manufacture styrofoam are “reasonably anticipated” to cause
cancer. Styrofoam has also been linked to nerve damage and hormonal
disruption.

4
Problem Continued

Legislation

• Proposal of Senate Bill 243 in Colorado

• The proposed bill intends to ban styrofoam take-out containers by 2024 with
the aim of utilizing recyclable and compostable containers. The bill does not
specify the type of containers that will be banned.
• Cities across the United States have banned styrofoam products.
• The ban is on coffee cups, soup bowls, plates, trays, and packing peanuts.
• The ban has been implemented in New York City, Takoma Park, MD, Seattle,
WA, Miami Beach, FL, Minneapolis, MN, Portland, OR and San Francisco,
CA.
• Maine banned single use styrofoam food and drink containers.
• Maine is the first state to officially sign this ban which will take place in 2021.
• The plastics industry is taking steps to create reusable plastic packaging by
2030.

Organizational Need

• Inta Juice must become a more sustainable organization.

• By requiring our franchises to utilize plastic cups rather than styrofoam cups,
our organization will reduce the amount of styrofoam that ends up in our
nation’s landfills.
• Because plastic cups are recyclable, they do not contribute to landfills.

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Project Description

Proposed Change

Some Inta Juice Fruit Smoothies franchises currently utilize styrofoam cups for
smoothies. However, styrofoam has many negative effects on the environment. The proposed
change from styrofoam cups to plastic cups would greatly minimize the environmental impact
of styrofoam cups.

Those Impacted by the Proposed Change

Franchise Owners

Franchise owners must purchase plastic cups rather than styrofoam cups. Plastic cups
are sold by the supplier at a higher cost than styrofoam cups. Costs of materials will increase
for franchise owners and therefore franchise owners may consider increasing prices at their
discretion to cover increased costs. However, franchise owners can offer a discount when
customers bring their own reusable cup into a store. Also, franchise owners must keep in mind
that the number of cups in each box from our supplier vary between plastic and styrofoam.
This may have an impact on taking inventory and placing orders. Franchise owners also must
inform employees that plastic cups may not keep smoothies cold for the same period of time as
styrofoam cups.

Franchise Employees

Employees will utilize plastic cups when making and serving smoothies for customers,
which does not require additional learning or change in behavior. Employees must be able to
communicate this to customers when asked. Employees should be able to briefly explain the
reasoning behind eliminating styrofoam cups to customers. If franchise owners increase prices,
the justification of price increases also must be explained.

Customers

Customers may have questions for employees regarding the change in cups. If
franchise owners increase prices, customers also may have questions. Customers could bring
their own reusable tumbler or water bottle to put a smoothie in to promote our goal of
becoming a more sustainable organization and receive a discount.

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Project Description Continued

Positive Impact of the Proposed Change

The proposed change will have many positive impacts on our organization by
promoting sustainability. Organizations must incorporate sustainability into business models to
ensure future success and well-being. The Longmont franchise orders 16,000 styrofoam cups
per quarter for an annual total of 64,000 cups. All of these cups will permanently end up in the
landfill. Replacing these cups with a recyclable option will divert this waste from the landfill
to a recycling center.

Proposed Change’s Impact on the Triple Bottom Line

The triple bottom line is comprises of profit, people, and planet. The proposed change
to eliminate styrofoam cups in franchises will have a significant impact on the planet
component of the triple bottom line. By eliminating styrofoam cups in franchises, we will
reduce our contribution of styrofoam to landfill trash. Because the price of plastic cups is
slightly higher per box and per unit, profits may decrease. However, to combat this potential
decrease in profits, franchise owners may increase smoothie prices at their discretion. The
proposed change will also have a positive impact on people as consuming food or drinks from
a styrofoam container can cause health related issues in humans.

Integration into Inta Juice

To ensure this change is well received by our organization, the presentation of

information regarding our environmental impact to increase knowledge of the problem would
be effective. Once executives, franchise owners and employees are aware of the overall issue,
they will be more inclined to embrace this change. The presentation of this information is the
first step towards creating a more sustainable organization.

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Cost Analysis

The change from styrofoam cups to plastic cups will be at a cost for franchises. Plastic cups
are more expensive per box and per unit than styrofoam cups. However, franchise owners
could increase prices to cover this cost. Inta Juice will reduce the amount of styrofoam that
accumulate in landfills by utilizing plastic cups rather than styrofoam cups.

Bans on styrofoam have already been passed in various cities across the United States.
Establishments in violation of the ban could face fines of $1,000. Though plastic cups are
more expensive than styrofoam cups, our organization will save money by complying with
new legislation and avoid fines in addition to reducing landfill trash.

Our supplier produces the plastic cups therefore there is no need to work with another supplier
to create the cups.

Table2

Styrofoam Plastic

Cost per Box $43.90 $65.06

Cost per Unit $0.0878 $0.1084

Boxes of Cups per Quarter 32 boxes 27 boxes

Total Units per Quarter 16,000 cups 16,200 cups

Total Cost per Quarter $1,404.80 $1,756.62

2
Table is based on data from January 2019 to March 2019 for 24 oz cups. Each box of styrofoam cups has 500
cups and each box of plastic cups has 600 cups. Data was collected from Inta Juice franchise in Longmont,
Colorado.

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Assessment Strategy

One of the initial effects of eliminating styrofoam cups is an increase in costs. The
Longmont franchise ordered 16,000 cups in the first quarter of 2019. Based on this
information, the franchise orders 64,000 cups per year. The total annual cost of styrofoam cups
would be $5,619.20. The total annual cost of the same number of plastic cups would be
$7,026.48. While the franchise would spend more money on cups this could be combated by a
small increase in prices.

Because our supplier already produces plastic cups with our logo, there is no need to
research a new supplier to design the plastic cup. Therefore, franchise owners do not have to
change their ordering behaviors. Franchise owners must adjust their predicted expenses and
sales forecasts to offset the increase in costs and potential decrease in profit. Franchise owners
should closely monitor sales and may consider increased marketing strategies to ensure future
sales. Because of our commitment to customer service and satisfaction, we have many regular
customers and consistently retain customers.

The long-term goal is for franchises to operate at a profit, increase sustainability and
decrease environmental impacts. By joining the movement in eliminating styrofoam, we will
reduce the amount of styrofoam waste in landfills which will further aid in making landfills
more sustainable. Hopefully we inspire other organizations to eliminate styrofoam as well to
further reduce the amount of permanent waste in landfills.

9
Conclusion

Our mission at Inta Juice Fruit Smoothies is to make the world a better place, one
smoothie at a time. By implementing this change to eliminate styrofoam cups from franchises,
we will help make the world a better place.

This change will help create a more sustainable planet as well as make our business
model more sustainable. Plastic cups are recyclable and will not permanently end up in the
nation’s landfills. Taking 64,000 styrofoam cups out of circulation from each franchise will
greatly reduce the styrofoam in landfills. Overall our organization utilizes 512,000 styrofoam
cups each year. Embracing this change to plastic cups will divert this waste to recycling
centers rather than our landfills.

This change has been made by organizations across the United States. Our organization
must be implemented into our organization to support the cause of creating a sustainable
environment by limiting landfill waste. We will set a positive example for similar
organizations by welcoming this change.

10
Appendix (A) - Memo to Employees

To: Inta Juice Fruit Smoothies Franchise Employees

From: Megan Harvey
Date: May 16, 2019
Subject: Elimination of Styrofoam Cups in Franchises

The proposed switch from styrofoam cups to plastic cups will have many positive
impacts both on Inta Juice as well as the environment. Styrofoam products contribute to 30%
of the nation’s landfills, which are filling up quickly. Such products, including our current
cups, are neither biodegradable nor recyclable, therefore when they go to a landfill, they are
they to stay. By eliminating styrofoam cups and utilizing plastic cups, our organization will
reduce the amount of styrofoam in our landfills.

Our organization must fully commit to this cause as this issue has an impact on our
environment and therefore on us. This change will help our nation become more sustainable by
lessening the amount of permanent waste that goes to landfills each year. Also, this change
will create a more sustainable environment going forward. This change has already been
embraced in cities around the United States. We must join in this cause to protect our
environment. This change will also set an example for similar organizations.

This Piktochart shows 25 Inta Juice

cups, each of which represent one billion cups.
One billion is a number followed by six zeros.
This amount of styrofoam cups are thrown into
our landfills each year.

Our store alone purchases 64,000

styrofoam cups per year. As there are eight
franchises in the United States, that is a total of
512,000 styrofoam cups that will be in our
landfills.

25 cups each represent 1 billion styrofoam cups

thrown into landfills each year

Sincerely,
Megan Harvey

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Appendix (B) - Infographic

12
Appendix (C) – Photos of Cups

Styrofoam Cup

Plastic Cups

13
Appendix (D) - Works Cited

Fact Sheet: How Much Disposable Plastic We Use. (2019, January 8). Retrieved May 12,
2019, from
https://www.earthday.org/2018/04/18/fact-sheet-how-much-disposable-plastic-we-use/
How Styrofoam is Bad for the Environment. (n.d.). Retrieved May 9, 2019, from
http://excesslogic.com/recycling-environment/how-styrofoam-is-bad-for-the-
environment
Landfills: An Unsustainable Form of Waste Management. (2014, March 11). Retrieved May
13, 2019, from
https://www.hazardouswasteexperts.com/landfills-an-unsustainable-form-of-waste-
management/
Little, Mark. (n.d.). Facts About Landfill & Styrofoam. Retrieved May 9, 2019, from
https://www.livestrong.com/article/159954-facts-about-landfill-styrofoam/
Louie, Sara. Say Goodbye to Styrofoam. (2015, March 11). Retrieved May 12, 2019, from
https://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2015/03/11/say-goodbye-to-styrofoam/
MacEachern, Diane. Woot! Styrofoam Bans Are Sweeping Across the Nation. Retrieved May
12, 2019, from
https://storyofstuff.org/blog/styrofoam-bans-are-sweeping-across-the-nation/
Maine outlaws single-use Styrofoam, as the first state to sign ban into law. (2019, May 1).
Retrieved May 12, 2019, from
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/01/maine-outlaws-single-use-styrofoam-as-first-state-
to-sign-ban-into-law.html
McNamara, Amanda. (2018, April 3). Styrofoam Bans in America: Here’s What Your
Restaurant Needs to Know. Retrieved May 12, 2019, from
https://pos.toasttab.com/blog/styrofoam-ban
Municipal Solid Waste. (n.d.). Retrieved May 9, 2019, from
https://archive.epa.gov/epawaste/nonhaz/municipal/web/html/
National Overview: Facts and Figures on Materials, Wastes and Recycling. (2018, October
26). Retrieved May 9, 2019, from
https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/national-
overview-facts-and-figures-materials#Landfilling
Rayburn, Estelle. Yikes! The World Health Organization Has Just Upgraded the Human
Cancer Risk for Styrofoam. (2018, May 31). Retrieved May 12, 2019, from
https://www.onegreenplanet.org/news/world-health-organization-upgraded-human-
cancer-risk-styrofoam/
Staver, Anna. (2019, April 23). Colorado lawmakers take first step towards banning
polystyrene takeout containers. Retrieved May 12, 2019, from
https://www.denverpost.com/2019/04/22/colorado-styrofoam-polystyrene-containers-
ban/
The Facts on Styrofoam: Reduce and Reuse. (n.d.). Retrieved May 9, 2019, from
https://www.colliercountyfl.gov/your-government/divisions-s-z/solid-hazardous-waste-
management/keeping-green-helpful-information-page/the-facts-on-styrofoam-reduce-
and-reuse

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