Passengers enjoying a coffee at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport can now use edible cups as an alternative to plastic and paper.
Barcelona-based food and beverages company Areas has introduced the cups at Deli&Cia establishments in four Spanish airports – in addition to Alicante-Elche, in Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza.
This pioneering initiative was developed by Cupffee, a Bulgarian startup that won the “Areas For Change Challenge” (organised in collaboration with Eatable Adventures) in the sustainability category, for food technology that creates edible and biodegradable coffee cups as a “sustainable and tasty alternative to the traditional plastic and paper cups”.
Under the slogan “nice to eat you”, the company created edible biscuit cups made from natural products that are low in calories and available in two formats (110 ml and 220 ml). According to Areas, “This product, a pioneer in Spain, is especially suitable for serving products such as coffee, since it is highly resistant to heat and humidity, remaining crunchy for up to 40 minutes and leak-free for a day once the drink is placed inside.
“Moreover, to offer a 100 per cent circular experience, the coffee in these glasses is organic, sustainable and environmentally-friendly.”
Areas said it had chosen Deli&Cia “because it is an establishment highly committed to sustainability and to the circular economy. In this sense, the construction of these establishments is made with recycled materials, its gastronomic proposal is healthy, and special importance is given to providing its commercial offer with eco-friendly packaging.”
Welcoming the collaboration, Cupffee founder and CEO Miroslav Zapryanov, said, “We are proud to announce Cupffee’s pioneering partnership with Areas, the leading company in food and beverage and travel retail. Our delicious, biodegradable, edible cups will be served at Deli&Cia establishments in major Spanish airports, in our collective step towards sustainable change. Together, we’re revolutionising the way travellers enjoy their coffee, prioritising sustainability and taste in every sip, and driving the circular economy forward. Shaking up the travel retail one Cupffee at a time, while offering more taste and less waste. That’s the power of innovation in sustainability.”
