BUSINESS FIRST INNER 3-38:Layout 1 9/6/08 16:31 Page 12
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Nifty Napkins
A Sussex company has come up with such a novel catering idea,
it has been shortlisted for the ‘Product of the Year’ award at the
2008 London Summer Fair at Excel, London. Rolldrap is launching
MyDrap, an ingenious cross between a table napkin and a paper
serviette, which combines the luxury of linen with the
convenience of a roll of kitchen tissue.
MyDrap has also been commended in ‘Ideal Home’ magazine, and
is already proving to be a hit with the catering industry. The Hilton
Group has adopted it for use in its Park Lane Hotel, and it can be
found gracing the laps of discerning diners at Le Manoir, and El Bulli in
Spain – voted the best restaurant in the world in 2008 by The
Restaurant Magazine.
Rolldrap’s patented product consists of a roll of 100% cotton or linen
napkins, which can be torn off, used and disposed of as needed,
And its not just businesses that are set to benefit from MyDrap – it’s also
saving pubs, restaurants and hotels the expense of ordering and
fantastic for home use. A roll can be kept on standby for barbeques,
laundering linen, whilst maintaining a truly elegant alternative to paper
family dinners, picnics and parties, and either washed and reused or
tissues. The napkins can be printed with a company logo, making
thrown away. And eco-minded foodies needn’t worry about the
them ideal tableware for everyone from airlines to event organisers.
environmental impact of using MyDrap – it’s completely
biodegradable and takes less energy to produce than paper and
can be recycled.
David Butcher, director at Rolldrap, says: “Rolldrap has been producing
cotton glass cloths for several years now from Barcelona, and we
asked if our suppliers could produce a napkin as there was a gap in
the market between paper and more expensive linen. Several
caterers we had spoken to were frustrated by the lack of choice in this
area. And it appears they weren’t alone – the response to Rolldrap
from the catering industry has been remarkable. Being in the running
for the ‘Product of the Year’ award at the Summer Fair tops off an
incredible first year – we’re really ‘on a roll’!”
Going Green Causing SE Entrepreneurs to See Red
Going green has cost UK entrepreneurs £3.1billion over the
businesses, but 44 per cent agree this revenue should be ring-
past year and they’re getting fed up with it.
fenced to fund environmental initiatives.
According to entrepreneur think tank, the Tenon Forum, the costs
Amidst all the cynicism, many companies think green initiatives
associated with being on the side of the enviro-angels are putting
enhance their reputation - nearly a quarter, 22 per cent, of owner-
off South East businesses, with 44 per cent of SMEs surveyed not
managers think that adopting environmental measures actually
even bothering to implement any environmental measures to date
gives a business a competitive edge, compared to those who
and 21 per cent having no plans to do so in the future.
don't have any green credentials.
It appears that recycling and improving energy-efficiency are just
Andy Pear, Director of Recovery at Tenon, commented: "It's clear
not worthwhile for the region's SMEs. Indeed, a quarter of them
that UK entrepreneurs feel strongly about green issues and rightly so.
believe the cost of adopting environmentally friendly measures
Many small businesses are keen to exercise their green credentials
outweighs the benefits for the business.
and to reduce their carbon footprint but this Government is simply
making it too difficult and too expensive for them. Thousands of
And following this year’s so-called 'green Budget', the Tenon Forum
pounds worth of green taxes are stretching SME’s to their limit and
research suggests cynicism is rife amongst south east's SMEs. 65
with the Government advocating green business practice so
per cent of owner-managers believe government efforts to drive
vehemently, it's crucial they find ways of making this easier and
green business behaviour are motivated by the desire to win votes,
suggest viable ways to do so. While most support implementing
rather than out of genuine concern for the environment.
policies that reduce their environmental impact, they also cannot
do so alone. Entrepreneurs need the Government to motivate and
However, 50 per cent of owner-managers agree that the UK tax
reward best environmental practices so that green behaviour also
regime should be used to encourage green practices among
makes a genuine difference to their bottom line.”
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