From the folks at Surly…

A Surly Conundrum

So here’s an interesting situation. Let me know what you think.
We have started shopping around for disposable plastic beer cups. Surly is doing more events in the summer in which we need to supply cups. Up to this point we have used blank cups to do events, but it would be nice to actually get a Surly beer in a Surly cup. So, I have looked into a few options, one being compostable cups. They are plastic cups made from corn that will degrade in a landfill. Super! Cups at those types of events never get recycled. The price is twice that of regular plastic cups, but it seems like this would be a good opportunity to support those fledgling greener options. After talking to the folks that supply the cups, I found an interesting tale.
The cups are not actually made in North America, China is the place. I responded with “wow, I didn’t know they grew a lot of corn in China.” Well, looks like they don’t grow much corn in China. The sheets are made here in the USA, then shipped on a freighter, made into cups and printed in China, and then shipped back to America.
Huh. So now what? Is it better to support a compostable option that is really not that green. Or should we just get some plastic cups here in the States? The best option would be getting those corn cups here in the States, but I can’t find that option.

Have you heard about the Heavy Table? If in addition to Minnesota beer, you’re also on alert for the best food this area has to offer then this is the place to find out about it.

Lift Bridge got a nice little nod from them today…check it out!