From Chromium-Free Shelving to Reclaimed Chopsticks, Trinity Puts Sustainability Into Practice

With plans for a retail launch on the horizon, Trinity is scaling up a reclaimed chopstick collection and rethinking what authentic sustainability looks like in the housewares industry.

From pioneering a chromium-free plating process more than a decade ago to turning millions of single-use chopsticks into furniture and housewares in a small Texas town, Trinity has quietly built a reputation for pushing beyond buzzwords and producing premium, sustainable products that resonate with consumers and influencers alike.

And now, the company is preparing to bring its Renew by Trinity line, crafted from reclaimed bamboo chopsticks, to retail for the first time.

“We wanted to find the right retail partner,” said Trinity CEO Cze-Chao “Sue” Tam. “We also didn’t want to go to retail unless we were certain we could maintain our quality at scale.”

From One SKU to Multi-Category

Trinity got its start in 2007 with a single stainless steel tool storage unit for Costco. Then, Costco was beginning to push vendors toward supporting its e-commerce operations, and Tam, who had no background in manufacturing, had to learn everything from unloading containers to driving forklifts. The company couldn’t survive on one item, so it branched into garage shelving.

When nickel prices spiked, threatening the cost structure of high-quality stainless, Trinity refused to compromise on materials, Tam said. Instead of switching to cheaper, lower-grade steel, Tam read a metals textbook cover to cover and developed a proprietary, non-magnetic stainless formulation that maintains the performance of 304 steel, without the price volatility of nickel.

Today, Trinity’s metalware spans prep tables, utility sinks, shelving, carts and combo tool chests, sold through retailers including Costco, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Wayfair, BJ’s and Northern Tool. The company manufactures branded and private-label products and operates a diversified manufacturing footprint across China, Thailand and the U.S.

A Second Life for Single-Use Chopsticks

The seeds for the Renew line was planted when Tam met a German engineer who had developed a high-pressure press specifically for recycling bamboo chopsticks into durable tiles. Trinity now collects chopsticks from hundreds of restaurants — primarily in Texas and Las Vegas — cleans and disinfects them and presses them into boards at its Texas facility.

Each Renew product, from serving boards (pictured top) to coasters to coffee tables, is stamped with the number of chopsticks used in its creation, such as 1,024 for a cutting board. In total, Trinity has reclaimed upwards of eight million chopsticks and counting, Tam said.

“Because the chopsticks are variable, there may be set patterns, but they all end up being one-of-a-kind pieces, which I think is really cool, especially in a more premium way,” Tam added.

So far, Renew by Trinity products have been sold direct-to-consumer. Tam confirmed that the company is preparing a retail launch of the line this year.

While Trinity’s core business still funds much of its innovation, the Renew line is designed to grow.

The company recently increased manufacturing capacity at its Quinlan, Texas facility by 50%, and it could add shifts or expand production in the future. Still, Tam said, scaling sustainably remains a challenge, both in manufacturing and chopstick collection logistics.

“Are we priced competitively against [medium-density fibreboard] (MDF)? Absolutely not. Are we priced competitively against other US-made wood furniture? Absolutely.” Tam said while noting the premium nature of the Renew products.

Beyond the Buzzword

“I think the idea of taking waste and turning it into new product has been pretty popular for the last three to four years; whether people have been able to do it is a different matter,” Tam said. “It really truly sets us apart and really is providing some positive environmental impact.”

However, Trinity’s sustainability efforts extend beyond chopsticks. More than 10 years ago, the company eliminated chromium from its chrome-colored wire shelving, replacing it with a zinc-based EcoStorage finish that performs better and costs less than traditional chrome plating, without harming soil or groundwater, according to Tam.

Meanwhile, every Renew product ships with a breakdown on the back of the package detailing how many chopsticks were reclaimed, demonstrating the amount of waste that has been avoided. Influencer partnerships and user-generated content have helped amplify the message, Tam said, noting recent placements in CNN, HGTV Magazine and dozens of regional newspapers showcasing the products in everyday use.

Trinity’s marketing strategy centers on education and hands-on engagement, not pre-written talking points. The response has been positive. “We’re getting the products into [the influencers’] hands. We’re having them install them and then providing them with the information, educating them about the product. Educating them on the benefits, but then letting them take it in their own words and talk about the product,” said Susan van Barnevld, who handles marketing and PR for Trinity. “Because once people get the products and they feel them, everyone has loved them.”

“You’ve got to be pushing that content out, but you also have to be there when they turn the corner or wherever they’re looking for content. It’s an important thing to get the consumers engaged in your whole educational effort right now,” van Barnevld continued.

Looking Ahead

As the company scales its Renew line and explores new materials, Trinity remains committed to its core business in metalware, storage and prep. Still, Tam looks forward to exploring ongoing innovation and impact in the housewares space.

“We will continue to do what is our bread and butter, our metal products, our housewares products, home storage, closet storage, kitchen storage. We will continue to do all those things,” Tam said. “But for me, honestly, creating products from chopsticks and other waste materials that we can find, that’s just the icing on top.”