Certifications

CERTIFICATIONS & TRADE ASSOCIATIONS

We are proud to hold various long standing certifications, and be part of trade associations.

PEFC (PROGRAMME FOR THE ENDORSEMENT OF FORESTRY CERTIFICATION) CHAIN OF CUSTODY CERTIFICATION

 

PROGRAMME FOR THE ENDORSEMENT OF FORESTRY CERTIFICATION CHAIN OF CUSTODY CERTIFICATION is a globally recognised standard of ethical sourcing of forestry raw materials and also compliance with the UK Timber Regulations (UKTR), which came into force in January 2021. The standard demonstrates that the materials used have been sustainably sourced and can be traced through the supply chain to guarantee the provenance of the finished product. This assures our customers that their paper cups originate from legal and sustainable sources and are fully compliant with UK Timber Regulations.

Forests support two thirds of all living species on the planet and some of Earth’s most valuable ecosystems. 12-15 million hectares of forest are lost yearly to agriculture, mining, urban expansion, and fire, and with further decimation of forests through unsustainable forestry. Without forests many of these species of animals and plants will become endangered.  An estimated one in five people worldwide are dependent on forests for their livelihoods, with 350 million people living directly in or around forests. They play an integral role in regulating water and carbon cycles, preventing desertification, and are a decisive factor in climate regulation.

To continue in their vital role, forests need to be conserved and managed sustainably. Sustainable forest management through PEFC can make a difference.

PEFC’s first Global Consumer Survey resulted in 60% of 13,000 people in 13 countries agreeing that their purchasing choice can make a positive difference to the world’s forests.  54% indicated that a label placed upon the product provided reassurance that environmental and ethical considerations had been taken by the manufacturer. Benders have recognised this and branded our products, cases and promotional items with the clear and concise trademarked PEFC logo. Source: PEFC/GfK Global Consumer Survey (Nov 2014).

By purchasing our products endorsed with the PEFC logo our customers demonstrate their support for the responsible management of one of our planet’s most precious natural resources.­

 

Visit the PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forestry Certification) Chain of Custody Certification website

FSC® (The Forest Stewardship Council®)

FSC is a global, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the promotion of responsible forest management globally.

 

They enable businesses and consumers to make informed choices about the forest products that they buy, and create positive change by engaging the power of market dynamics.

FSC work to take care of their forests and those who rely on them: By protecting plant and animal species, indigenous peoples rights, forest workers safety and much more.

They achieve this through FSC certification, ensuring forests around the world are responsibly managed. Currently, over 190 million hectares of forest are FSC certified, in over 80 countries worldwide.

FSC chain of custody certification verifies that FSC-certified material has been identified and separated from non-certified and non-controlled material as it makes its way along the supply chain from A all the way through to B.

 

License Code: FSC-C118163

 

For more information on FSC® please click HERE

SEDEX (SUPPLIER ETHICAL DATA EXCHANGE)

 

SEDEX (SUPPLIER ETHICAL DATA EXCHANGE) is a not for profit membership organisation dedicated to driving improvements in responsible and ethical business practices in global supply chains.

As a member of Sedex, our customers can be assured that Benders Paper Cups is committed to the continuous improvement of ethical performance within our supply chain. To substantiate this claim, we comply with the SMETA 4 pillar accountability audit. The audit comprises of; labour standards, health and safety, entitlement to work, environmental considerations and business practices. Sedex provides an efficient online system for collecting and analysing information on ethical and responsible business
practices in the supply chain.

We can then communicate this effectively, by making one set of data available to all our customers, encouraging increased engagement. This helps reduce the need for multiple audits, allowing us and our customers to focus on making improvements. The reports available on Sedex help us assess the likelihood of issues occurring in our supply chain so we can prioritise resources to effectively manage these issues, enabling us to offer our customers a timely solution. Many companies now see Sedex as an important part of their responsible sourcing practices and increasingly view Sedex membership as a condition of supply.

 

Visit the Sedex (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange) website

THE VENDIES

 

Benders first received the prestigious Vendies Best Cup award in 2015. The award has now been retained for a second consecutive year in 2016, an achievement never before accomplished. The award was received for Benders comprehensive range of single wall vending cups that have been specifically developed to deliver the industry leading performance and consistent quality required by automatic vending. The same exacting standards are applied to our broad range of coffee-to-go cups which are increasingly used by vending operators developing into channels with tabletop systems.

 

Visit the The Vendies website

FPA

FPA

 

The FPA brings together manufacturers and distributors of packaging used to serve and prepare food and drinks on the go with the UK’s hospitality industry. Together raising standards with regard to packaging safety, environment and in-use performance so helping to maintain a buoyant UK foodservice sector where foodservice operators and caterers are free to choose the packaging they want and can operate within an infrastructure that allows them to continue to flourish and improve the quality and range of their menu to the public.

Requirements of membership of the Foodservice Packaging Association and its Code of Practice give further reassurance and confidence in the quality of Benders paper cups and their compliance with all UK and EU packaging regulations.

 

Visit the FPA website

PAPER CUP RECOVERY AND RECYCLING GROUP

 

The Paper Cup Recovery and Recycling Group (PCRRG) exists to develop collection and recycling opportunities for paper cups and identify and support solutions that sustainably transform used paper cups into a valuable resource.

The PCRRG helps to increase the recognition that used paper cups can provide high quality material to the market place and that there is a need to ensure that it is captured effectively for use elsewhere in the paper supply chain.

The PCRRG is made up of pioneering organisations from across the paper cup supply chain, including: paper cup manufacturers; retailers; recycling and waste management companies and paper reprocessers.

Benders Paper cups are a founding member of the Paper Cup Recovery and Recycling Group, promoting paper cup post-use recycling. We will continue to explore all options on the sustainability and recycling spectrum, and provide our customers clear guidance on the pros and cons of each option.

Click here for information about The Paper Cup Manifesto

 

Visit the Paper Cup Recovery and Recycling Group website

AVA

AVA

 

Wherever people gather in numbers; at work, in hospitals, railway stations, sporting events – space and time tend to be at a premium. When it comes to meals, breaks and refreshments, variety, choice and fast access are of paramount importance. Vending can meet these requirements and this is where the opportunity for vending begins. The Vending and Automated Retail Association is at the forefront of the industry, supporting, promoting and encouraging the use of vending in the UK. Working across Operator, vending machine manufacturer, vendor or user – all have common cause with an industry that wants to progress, innovate and deliver on its promises.

The Vending and Automated Retail Association also require compliance with their quality standard as a condition of membership.

This combination delivers customer and consumer reassurance of the standard and service delivery they can rely on.

 

Visit the AVA website

SIMPLY CUPS

 

Simply Cups is the UK’s only dedicated collection and recycling service for paper cups. They provide organisations at all stages of the supply chain with a cost-efficient collection and recycling service that reduces operating costs and substantiates environmental claims. In the past paper recycling facilities were unable to separate the PE lining from the paper to enable recycling. Working directly with members Simply Cups assist with the effective segregation of paper cups from mixed paper waste post-consumer use. Segregated cups are collected and sent directly to recycling facilities. Simply Cups operate a variety of collection services depending on location and the volume of materials produced. Click here to find out which is the most appropriate service for you. This process is confirmed through a documented audit trail. As members of Simply Cups we support the initiative through funding. Benders are in the best position to be able to advise our customers on the benefits of joining this initiative.

 

Visit the Simply Cups website

 

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