Under The Radar is our monthly column where we highlight some of the coolest, most inspiring founders of brands in the home and kitchen space.
Like many creative ideas, the concept for Tossware came to Benson Liu and Michael Fun over drinks—more specifically, over spilled ones.
“In our younger years, we used to host a lot of gatherings and we always had clumsy friends who would break glasses,” recalls Fun. It became a running joke that Liu, who worked in plastics manufacturing, should create his own product: durable drinkware that was also stylish enough for entertaining.
Benson Liu and Michael Fun launched Tossware to create stylish, shatterproof and recyclable ... [+]
The more Fun and Liu discussed the idea, the more their passion grew. They decided to combine their expertise—Liu in research and development, Fun in marketing—and dedicate their free time to prototyping and conducting market research. “At the time we looked at the market, there wasn't anything that was shaped to mimic a glass with a rounded rim, that was recycling-friendly and BPA-free. All of those factors had to be considered,” explains Liu.
After years of research and development, Tossware launched in 2015 with two items: a wine cup and stemless flute glass made from shatterproof, recyclable plastic. The tongue-in-cheek name not only paid homage to the broken glasses that inspired these cups but also hinted at their durable nature.
“It was more of a playful way to explain the product because we wanted people to be carefree with it,” shares Fun. “If you drop it, it's not going to break.”
On Designing The Perfect Shatterproof Cup
The duo’s goal was to offer shoppers a superior alternative to the non-recyclable, single-use cups that had become commonplace at parties and gatherings. Tossware cups would be lightweight and shatterproof—ideal for situations where glass is too delicate—with a design and durability that’d encourage customers to reuse them.
With over two decades of manufacturing experience, Liu was well-versed in the production challenges that rendered existing cups either too flimsy or uncomfortable to use. “Benson explained the process of how they're manufactured, that they trimmed the top off, which causes the very sharp feeling on your lips,” says Fun. “Then I threw the ball at him. How can we make that better? How can we make it smooth?”
It took over 20 iterations before Liu and Fun settled on a shape that not only offered comfortable sipping but also exuded sophistication. The cups had a crystal-clear appearance that resembled glass (minus the fragility) and also a patented “Pop ‘n Lock” feature for secure stacking.
On Building Sustainable Practices
When developing Tossware’s cups, the material was just as crucial as the shape and style. Both Liu and Fun prioritized sustainability from the outset, particularly given their use of plastic. “I threw the ball at Benson again,” says Fun. “How can we utilize more recycled material? Can we make it 100% recyclable?”
The brand’s Pop collection—Tossware’s answer to disposable plastic cups—are made using a blend of materials, all of which are BPA-free. Each flute or wine glass contains one post-consumer plastic water bottle in addition to a recyclable polymer. “We source the highest grade of recycled material, which is made from reclaimed water bottles. In order to keep it this pristine and mimic that glass look, the source has to be also food-grade,” explains Liu.
Ultimately, Tossware aims to produce all of its plastic products entirely from recycled water bottles. The company is striving to become a fully circular manufacturer by 2025. “It's part of our mission to use the best-quality material, use the most innovative process, and to deliver the best product at an affordable price to our consumers. And we continue to push that boundary,” says Fun.
On Expanding Product Lines Thoughtfully
Tossware has expanded to offer several product lines, each tailored for different uses and occasions. Alongside the original Pop collection, there are the Reserve and Natural lines. The Reserve line features Tossware’s most durable products: cups crafted from heavy-duty Tritan plastic that are dishwasher-safe, non-toxic and heat-resistant. Conversely, the Natural line consists of plant-based, compostable drinking vessels designed for chilled drinks.
“I think our collections all serve a different purpose,” explains Fun. “When you have a very intimate setting, we like to say our Reserve could replace the glasses in your cabinet, but when you have a gathering of some sort, the POP or the Natural Line come into play. You can drop them, you can spill them.”
In a testament to the longevity of their products, friends who served as Tossware’s initial product testers nearly a decade ago still use their cups today.
“A lot of them still have the first version they bought from us and they're still reusing them,” says Fun. “We're like, ‘Hey, we can get you new ones. There are new shapes, new designs, new colors.’ And they're like, ‘Nope, I'm fine with this. I don't need to toss these.’"
