​Maui Hotel Industry Leads with Zero Plastic Foodware

WAILUKU, MAUI – The Napili Kai Beach Resort is the first Hawaii hotel to switch to a one-hundred percent plastic-free, fully compostable cup. Following the ban on plastic to-go containers that passed in 2022, industries sourced alternative availabilities, like polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) and polylactic acid (PLA) materials, to package food and beverages. While technically compostable, PLA requires a special facility to be composted and there are limited facilities in Hawaii. However, the Napili Kai Beach Resort’s recent adoption of the non-bioplastic “Naked Cups” made by Your Green 2 Go, ensures their guests use a completely compostable cup that does not leave contaminants or toxins behind and breaks down without special commercial composting facilities.

“Kokua is an important pillar of Hawaiian culture and being located right on the ocean means we directly see the impact that eco-friendly choices make,” said Gregg Nelson, General Manager of the Napili Kai Beach Resort. “We’re excited for the opportunity to make a difference in the hotel industry by being the first to switch to backyard compostable cups that will completely break down should they end up in the waterway and expect to divert nearly 100,000 cups annually from the landfill with this change. We here at Napili Kai believe in Malama ‘Aina, to be stewards of the land.”

Your Green 2 Go is a sustainable food packaging solution company, providing pure plant materials since 2010. The brand is passionate about saving our environment, including the Maui marine life, and educating consumers. They recently sponsored the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association’s Excellence in Education Golf Tournament, helping to raise funds for Maui student scholarships.

The Maui County visitor industry has led the state in many other green sustainability initiates like groundbreaking LEED-EBOM resort certificates, voluntary switch from single-use plastic toiletry bottles to refillable options, and organic, reef-friendly landscaping management accreditations. Maui hotels continue to support sustainable eco-tourism with further focus towards food source and agricultural, hosting an ag-expert panel during their Annual Meeting & Tradeshow on September 12 and the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa.

Photo Credit 1: Napili Kai Beach Resort; Caption: Your Green 2 Go Cups at Napili Kai Beach Resort, Photo Credit 2: Pacific Dream Photography; Caption: Your Green 2 Go Cups Donated to MHLA Golf Tournament