When considering drinkware options for the travel industry, it’s important to keep several factors in mind, such as durability, sustainability, waste, weight and environmental friendliness.
For many of these aspects, glass is a good choice except for two weaknesses: waste and weight. Glass products break regularly, and broken items need replacing. There’s a safety issue here too: when a glass breaks it disperses sharp shards everywhere, which can lead to injuries among the staff or passengers, as well as extra cleanup requirements.
Aside from the breakage issue, glass can be heavy when carried in quantity. Two dozen coffee mugs weigh 18 pounds, for example. In an environment such as aviation, where excess weight can have negative consequences, reducing the extraneous weight of items like drinkware is important.
But replacing glass with plastic drinkware doesn’t seem to be a great option. Plastic often contains the chemical compound BPA, which has possible negative health effects. Plastic can also seem low quality and not in keeping with first class travel.
Additionally, plastic is not clear, making it difficult for tea drinkers or others who want to see the color of the liquid in the cup. And, although some plastic is quite durable, it doesn’t score well on sustainability measures and is not environmentally friendly.
Tritan glassware, however, checks all of these boxes, making it the best option for service providers to use in the travel industry. Tritan is durable, sustainable, shatterproof and lightweight. It can be more expensive than glass, but once replacement cost for breakage is factored in, that becomes negligible. Although it’s not biodegradable, Tritan glassware is designed to last for decades, minimizing the impact on the environment.
What is Tritan?
Tritan is a copolyester, created when a base plastic is acted upon by selected additives. The additives impart clarity, strength, durability and heat resistance to the final product. Tritan is very popular in tea pots and glasses due to being clear as well as able to withstand high temperatures. When used as drinkware, it looks and feels very much like glass. The real acid test, though, is when you drop it. Glass will shatter, while the Tritan product will not.
Tritan is durable and can withstand high heat cleaning and sanitization processes such as the type used by airlines, rail companies and other travel providers. It is unbelievably strong: a car can run over a Tritan champagne flute without breaking it. It is resistant to damage by chemicals and retains its clarity and usage after being subjected to the most rigorous cleaning procedures. Even after hundreds of high temperature wash cycles, it still retains its transparent nature.
Tritan is also sustainable and easily recyclable. Eastman Chemical Company, the developer of Tritan, currently recycles 300 tons of Tritan into building materials for livestock farmers. They have also developed Tritan Renew, their brand name for Tritan, which contains 50% recycled material. Recycling plants nationwide have started separating and collecting it for recycling, which will expand the available supply for Tritan Renew. Tritan is BPA free, as well as free of all bisphenols and free of California Prop 65 carcinogens. It is FDA approved, even for babies, and has been certified as food safe by agencies in Europe, China, Japan and Canada.
Tritan weighs significantly less than glass, reducing pack out weight and making it easier for crews to work in tight quarters. The combination of eco-friendly, light weight, extreme strength, sustainability and durability make Tritan a great product to add to your portfolio, which is why we use it for all our drinkware.
How RMT Global Partners Uses Tritan
Tritan glassware is a beautiful, elegant product. Passengers appreciate the shatterproof nature of a Tritan glass while maintaining luxury and high standards. Because of its long lifespan, it is also low cost per usage.
All told, Tritan glassware from RMT is safe (both barium and lead free), environmentally friendly, and the superior alternative to glass. It provides elegance, free from accidental breakage worries. Unlike other plastic drinkware, Tritan products do not warp, crack, or bend after washing, due to its ability to withstand high heat.
Tritan is the perfect package for any drinkware needs in the travel industry. RMT Global Partners maintains a variety of Tritan drinkware products, perfect for all levels of the passenger experience. Contact us to order Tritan glassware for your customers’ needs!
