#1 Party Cup Manufacturer Grants $125,000 to Fund Innovative Startup

 Reynolds Consumer Products (Nasdaq: REYN), the manufacturer of the iconic red Hefty® Party Cup, is taking a significant step towards sustainability by supporting The New Norm (TNN), a startup out of Johns Hopkins University. TNN has developed an exciting, novel technology that transforms material from these cups into sustainable yarns and fabrics. Recognizing the immense potential of this innovation, RCP, whose Hefty® brand is known for the #1 Party Cup in America, has provided a grant of $125,000 to assist TNN in their research and development efforts.

Recognizing the potential of TNN's work in connection with the Hefty® brand, RCP provided a grant to jumpstart TNN's commercialization efforts. “We are always looking for new sustainable solutions, this is a great opportunity for us to support an innovative way to convert recovered materials to something entirely new,” said Keith Danoff, VP, Hefty Tableware Marketing. Chris Evans, VP of Operations, added, " We see it as a step in the right direction to develop new end uses for recycled materials and support the circular economy.”  Lauren Choi, Founder of TNN, said, "This is such an incredible opportunity. To be supported by the largest manufacturer of party cups… this is something I couldn't have imagined when starting out."

Thanks to the grant from RCP, TNN will be able to conduct important pilot production trials and scale its environmental impact. As the trials progress, RCP will provide recyclable materials for testing. TNN has developed a process to create filament yarns with reduced microfiber shedding and their process does not use any water, dyes, or added chemicals.

In their commercialization efforts, TNN will work with its U.S.-based textile mills and plastic recycling partners to recycle party cups, create yarns, and knit fabric. By keeping manufacturing entirely in the United States, this collaboration aims to support local recycling and textile industries in North Carolina, while reducing the carbon footprint associated with overseas shipping.

The story of TNN begins back in 2019 when founder Lauren Choi, studying Materials Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, built an extruder machine in her garage to recycle plastic into yarn. “Being on a college campus, you’re surrounded by party cups in just about any social setting and that’s what really inspired me to begin recycling them,” Lauren says. Over the years, TNN has conducted extensive lab testing, product development, and expanded its recycling capabilities to include a wide range of plastics. It has been supported by Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures, VentureWell, Halcyon, and Tiger Global. In 2022, during their participation in the Halcyon Accelerator for impact-driven ventures, TNN conducted its first pilot production trials with its line of sustainable fabrics ALMARAE, which are made from recycled ocean plastics. This marked a crucial step towards scaling up their operations. It was during this pivotal moment that TNN crossed paths with RCP and began discussing the next step of development for commercialization of TNN’s sustainable fabrics made from recycled party cups.

TNN aims to begin collaborating with apparel brands to create more sustainable end products. The collaboration envisions a potential Kickstarter in the near future in which customers could purchase products made out of this novel fabric. Founder Lauren says, “We are living in a time when drastic, innovative measures must be taken to reverse the damage we have done to our planet. TNN was founded with this understanding and a great sense of urgency. This is my personal promise to better our environment and pursue sustainability through tangible implementation.”

About Reynolds Consumer Products Inc.
Reynolds Consumer Products is a leading provider of household products that simplify daily life so consumers can enjoy what matters most. With a presence in 95% of households across the United States, RCP produces and sells products that people use in their homes across three broad categories: cooking, waste and storage, and disposable tableware. RCP’s iconic products include Reynolds Wrap® aluminum foil, Hefty® trash bags, Hefty® party cups, and additional products that make family life easier. Overall, RCP holds the No. 1 or No. 2 U.S. market share position in the majority of product categories it serves. For more information, visit ReynoldsConsumerProducts.com or Hefty.com/sustainability

The New Norm: For inquiries, please contact Lauren Choi at Lauren@TheNewNormFabric.com or (310) 951-7088.

Website:  http://thenewnormfabric.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thenewnormfabric

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenewnormfabric/?hl=en

Photo: Hefty® Party Cup by Reynolds Consumer Products (left) and Yarn made by The New Norm (right)

The Hefty® team is pleased to launch Hefty® Ultra Strong™ with Fabuloso® Lemon Scent in—a fresh, vibrant expansion of the Fabuloso® scents consumers are passionate about!  They are now available online and in store at select retailers. 

Due to the incremental growth of Hefty® Ultra Strong™ bags with the Fabuloso® Lavender scent—we’ve expanded to add the fan-favorite Fabuloso® Lemon Scent. Lemon-scented trash bags are a growing segment and our tests on bags with Fabuloso® Lemon reflected high purchase intent among consumers. 

Hefty® Ultra Strong™ tall kitchen bags—with Fabuloso® Lemon Scent and Arm & Hammer Continuous Odor Control—work to keep homes smelling fresh. Hefty® Ultra Strong™ strength helps manage the toughest kitchen trash. The consumer-preferred drawstring closure makes it easy! The Hefty® Ultra Strong™ Fabuloso® Lemon line includes the 13 Gallon Tall Kitchen Drawstring Bags and the 30 gallon Multipurpose Large Drawstring Bags. 

**Fabuloso® and associated designs are trademarks of Colgate-Palmolive Company and are used under license.

Reynolds Consumer Products is pleased to announce that its near-term greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in line with the expectations set by the Paris Climate Agreement.

By 2030, RCP pledges to reduce its carbon footprint by 25 percent for absolute scope 1 and scope 2, which includes both direct and indirect GHG emissions from its operations. In addition, it commits to reducing 25 percent in absolute scope 3, accounting for total emissions released from purchased goods and services. These targets are both set against a baseline year of 2021.

Consistent with the 2015 Paris Agreement, RCP’s target ambitions are aligned with the worldwide commitment to limit global temperature rise to well-below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C.  For additional information on scope 1 and scope 2 emissions, please visit the EPA Center for Corporate Climate Leadership at EPA.gov.

The SBTi is a partnership between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), mobilizing companies to set science-based emissions reduction targets as part of a larger transition to a low-carbon economy. Its call to action is one of the We Mean Business Coalition commitments.

As a leading provider of recognized household essentials, including Reynolds Wrap® aluminum foil and Hefty® trash bags, sustainability is at the core of RCP’s business. To learn more about the company’s environmental, governance and social efforts, please review its 2022 Integrated Report, which includes 2022 performance and long-term, sustainable business approach.

About the Science Based Targets initiative
The Science Based Targets initiative champions science-based target setting as a powerful way of boosting organizations’ competitive advantage in the transition to the low-carbon economy. It is a collaboration between CDP, World Resources Institute (WRI), the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). It is one of the We Mean Business Coalition commitments.

Hundreds of the world’s biggest companies have now committed to set targets through the Science Based Targets initiative. The initiative showcases how companies that set science-based targets see increased innovation, reduced regulatory uncertainty, strengthened investor confidence and improved profitability and competitiveness. The initiative also defines and promotes best practice, offers resources and guidance to reduce barriers to adoption, and independently assesses and approves companies’ targets.

Reynolds Wrap is bringing the heat to your spring holiday spread. This year, Reynolds Wrap is turning your traditional Easter ham recipe from nice and sweet to spice and heat with Hot Hams.  

Inspired by America’s love of adding an extra kick to their favorite foods, Reynolds Wrap® introduces Hot Hams recipes for Easter – try glazed Hot Honey Ham, spicy and tangy Buffalo Ham or hot and peppery Habanero Chipotle Ham!

These adventurous new recipes include perfectly glazed Hot Honey Ham, spicy and tangy Buffalo Ham and hot and peppery Habanero Chipotle Ham all baked to perfection with help from Reynolds Wrap® Heavy Duty Foil.  

• The Hot Honey Ham is a super-charged honey glaze with a spicy twist. Sprinkled with a kick of red pepper flakes and topped with candied jalapenos, prepare your taste buds for a celebration to remember. 
   
• The Buffalo Ham serves up a hot and tangy centerpiece to your celebration that is sure to make you break a sweat. Decorative (and delicious!) celery and bleu cheese top this buffalo slathered, succulent ham. 
   
• The Habanero Chipotle Ham spotlights the small but mighty habanero, which packs a piquant punch alongside the smoky flavors of roasted chipotle peppers. Try this high-voltage ham if you dare! 

Reynolds Wrap is no stranger to raising the bar when it comes to creating spring holiday recipes. Last year the brand satisfied sweet tooth’s across the country with Easter Candied Hams, now Reynolds Wrap is taking spice to new heights with three new unique recipes.  

“While ham is an Easter essential, we wanted to challenge brave foodies and spice lovers to put a fun, fiery twist on this classic holiday gathering staple,” said Lisa Giardina, senior brand manager, Reynolds Consumer Products. “With Reynolds Wrap® Heavy Duty Foil as the durable cooking companion you can depend on, families and friends can make these hams with easy prep, cook and clean up.” 

For more information on the Reynolds Wrap Hot Hams, including how to make your own this spring, visit ReynoldsBrands.com.