Fifty-three percent of consumers said they prefer recycled/compostable napkins when they visit a restaurant, according to SCA Hygiene's Tork brand survey of Canadian consumers; Tork produces 100% recycled napkins

Michelle Rivera

OAKVILLE, Ontario , February 6, 2012 (press release) – Smart foodservice managers should choose “green” recycled products to help win new customers and improve their bottom line during 2012 – that’s one simple but important tip revealed during a recent survey of Canadian consumers and restaurant employees by SCA, a global hygiene company and makers of the Tork® brand of away-from-home paper products.

“We’re always looking to uncover new trends and insights that help quick-service, fast casual and casual dining restaurants improve the customer experience and reduce costs,” said Andy Vince, regional vice president Canada for SCA’s North American away-from-home professional hygiene business. “These survey results reinforce the growing trend of public concern for environmental sustainability during a dining experience and how our foodservice customers can appeal to consumers.”

Toluna conducted the survey of 330 Canadian adults and more than 220 restaurant employees on behalf of SCA to help their customers better understand napkin usage and waste in restaurants. Based on the survey findings, SCA offers the following tips for restaurants to attract new customers and improve sales in the new year and beyond:

Be environmentally conscious. Sixty-four percent of consumers surveyed said they would more likely visit an environmentally responsible restaurant, and 53 percent said they prefer recycled/compostable napkins.

“Using 100 percent recycled napkins helps support our brand promise to our customers,” said Gerry Docherty, chief operating officer of Good Earth Cafés, an earth-friendly Canada-based coffeehouse and bakery franchise. “Plus, the environmental initiatives SCA uses during the manufacturing process are consistent with our support of wind power, compostable packaging and many other efforts we support at Good Earth Cafés.”

In fact, Good Earth Cafés’ use of Tork products has helped the company save more than 290,000 gallons of water and 716 trees over the last four years.

“Our customers are fully engaged in supporting businesses that reduce waste, use environmentally friendly products and support social causes. They not only expect us to use environmentally-conscious products, but they also expect the manufacturers of those products to be doing their part to reduce waste and support sustainability,” said Docherty.

Provide napkins at the table. When eating at a sit-down restaurant with table service, 47 percent of consumers preferred a supply of napkins available at the table. The survey also found that 44 percent of consumers admit to taking excess napkins, and 49 percent of employees estimate that more than 100 unused napkins are thrown away each week when they aren’t provided at the table.

By using one-at-a-time consumption control Tork Xpressnap® Dispensers, available in tabletop, counter and stand models, Docherty believes Good Earth Cafés improves the customer experience. In fact, SCA guarantees the Xpressnap will reduce napkin consumption by 25 percent.

“We’ve worked hard to find new ways to make innovative napkins that are not only certified compostable by the Biodegradable Products Institute, but are also EcoLogo™ and Green Seal™ certified to ensure the product benefits are accurate and transparent,” says Vince.

Tell the environmental impact story. Since customers say they would be more likely to visit environmentally responsible establishments, restaurants should always share their “green” efforts at customer touchpoints, from the menu to store signage.

The tabletop and café versions of the Xpressnap dispensers also include AD-a-Glance® panels – customizable facades on each side – which can help to further communicate green efforts, as well as enable businesses to display in-store promotions or generate advertising revenue.

For more information on the survey or about Tork products, visit www.tork.ca.

About Tork

The Tork brand offers a complete range of products and services within hygiene and cleaning for professional washrooms, healthcare, food service and industry. Through customer understanding and particular expertise in hygiene and sustainability, Tork has become a market leader in many segments and a committed partner to businesses in over 80 countries. Tork is a global brand in the SCA hygiene portfolio. To keep up with the latest Tork news and innovations, please visit: www.torkusa.com or www.tork.ca.

About SCA in North America

SCA’s North American tissue division is one of the three largest producers of away-from-home tissue products in North America, supplying paper napkins, tissues, towels, specialty wipers, dispensers and soap used in commercial settings such as restaurants, office buildings, schools and healthcare facilities. Tork® products are made from 100-percent recycled content. SCA recycles more than 750,000 tons of paper a year; on average, more than 60 percent of those tons are post-consumer waste. The first American papermaker to earn EcoLogo™ certification, SCA also has earned Green Seal™ certification on many of its products. The company has more than 2,200 employees in the United States and Canada. More information is available at www.torkusa.com or www.tork.ca.

About SCA

SCA is a global hygiene and paper company that develops and produces personal-care products, tissue, packaging solutions, publication papers and solid-wood products. Sales are conducted in some 100 countries. SCA has many well-known brands, including the global brands TENA and Tork. Sales in 2010 amounted to $15 billion (USD). SCA has about 45,000 employees. For more information about SCA, please visit: www.sca.com.

About Toluna

Toluna combines its online market research panel with industry-leading research technology, enabling organisations to generate valuable customer insight by surveying their target audience quickly and cost effectively. Its popular social voting community site Toluna.com has 4 million members and collects more than 1 million poll votes and opinions a day across 42 countries. Toluna is at the forefront of the quick-feedback market and launched a Global Omnibus product ideal for companies looking for a full-service alternative – find out more at www.toluna-group.com.

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