For this market segment, I believe it is more geographically based. counties near water or in banned counties are banned from using plastic straws. Also, in places where people are more educated on the impact on the environment, they are likely to want eco-friendly alternatives.
I interviewed three people in Alachua county (banned county) to understand customers need awareness as well as how they conduct information searches. All three people I interviewed faced issues with paper straws, which is the root of the issue that resulted in our modified lid product. I asked each of the three persons when their need becomes most apparent. The first and third detailed on the need for straws whenever they visited local eateries. The second is from California, where plastic straws are heavily restricted, so she faces the need almost constantly (at restaurants, fast-food, beverage shops, etc...). Although they are all aware of this need, only the second (California resident) has taken steps to remedy it. She bought a portable metal straw, which she admits she forgets some of the time which brings her back to square one. She got her metal straw on amazon after a quick google search of 'reusable straw'. The other two have not managed to justify the cost/commitment of buying their own solution, such as a portable, reusable straw.
From this research, I have concluded that if the solution was located at the beverage point of sale, it would be more likely to be purchased. The problem with most paper straw alternatives is that they are inconvenient. Paper straws themselves are ineffective with plastic straw lids. Because of this lesser of two evils situation, the introduction of a paper straw compatible lid would alleviate these inconveniences and satisfy customers.
I interviewed three people in Alachua county (banned county) to understand customers need awareness as well as how they conduct information searches. All three people I interviewed faced issues with paper straws, which is the root of the issue that resulted in our modified lid product. I asked each of the three persons when their need becomes most apparent. The first and third detailed on the need for straws whenever they visited local eateries. The second is from California, where plastic straws are heavily restricted, so she faces the need almost constantly (at restaurants, fast-food, beverage shops, etc...). Although they are all aware of this need, only the second (California resident) has taken steps to remedy it. She bought a portable metal straw, which she admits she forgets some of the time which brings her back to square one. She got her metal straw on amazon after a quick google search of 'reusable straw'. The other two have not managed to justify the cost/commitment of buying their own solution, such as a portable, reusable straw.
From this research, I have concluded that if the solution was located at the beverage point of sale, it would be more likely to be purchased. The problem with most paper straw alternatives is that they are inconvenient. Paper straws themselves are ineffective with plastic straw lids. Because of this lesser of two evils situation, the introduction of a paper straw compatible lid would alleviate these inconveniences and satisfy customers.
Kelly,
ReplyDeleteI wonder whether there is a process that makes paper a little more durable than normal. It would seem that if the process existed that you could probably license the technology to make your straws. Then, you could sell them to restaurants, smoothie shops, etc. But then the problem becomes who else could use the tech to do the same thing. I guess a way around that is to create the straw yourself and patent it.