Collection Corner

Partners in sustainability

NFL team the Philadelphia Eagles and Braskem, a leading biopolymer and polypropylene producer with U.S. headquarters in Philadelphia, have entered into a nine-year sustainability-focused partnership that includes developing a closed-loop recycling program for bottle caps and other plastic products. Additionally, the organization will partner in an online education platform for 30 Philadelphia-area county schools to teach students about careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Mark Nikolich, CEO of Braskem America, says, “We are excited about this new partnership to launch a closed-loop recycling program at Lincoln Financial Field, the home of the World Champion Philadelphia Eagles. We also look forward to collecting and recycling bottle caps at schools in the region through our ‘cap-etition,’ which will provide an even greater impact for the program by educating the public about the benefits of recycling.”

The bottle caps will be collected at Lincoln Financial Field and the NovaCare Complex, the team’s practice facility. The collection and recycling process will be highlighted at an interactive fan zone at Lincoln Financial Field’s HeadHouse Plaza.

The partners also will develop recycling awareness content for deployment across the team’s digital and social channels.

Topping off its recycled content commitment

Household and personal care products company Seventh Generation, Burlington, Vermont, has introduced a new green cap made from 100 percent postconsumer resin (PCR), including clothes hangers, for its natural dish liquid. The new design also supports the company’s goal to ensure each packaging component across its product portfolio is virgin petroleum free and widely recyclable by 2020.

“This small design change will make a big impact on reducing the footprint of our dish soap and, we hope, will also set a new standard for the industry,” Joey Bergstein, CEO of Seventh Generation, says.

He adds that 85 percent of the brand’s packaging already is free of virgin plastic.

Seventh Generation says it worked with St. Louis-based TricorBraun to make the cap. Its task was to not only make it using 100 percent PCR but also to make it effective, focusing on quality and addressing consumer preference.

The new cap began its rollout in August.

Aldi helps customers decipher package recyclability

Retailer Aldi, Batavia, Illinois, has adopted the How2Recycle label, which it will use across its exclusive brand products in the next two years.

The How2Recycle label is designed to help Aldi shoppers decipher which packages can be recycled and if special steps need to be taken to prepare the package for recycling.

Aldi says joining How2Recycle aligns with its goal to reduce landfilled waste by recycling equipment batteries, cardboard, paper, plastic film and foil from its stores and warehouses.

“More than 90 percent of our products are Aldi-exclusive brands, giving us greater influence over how they are sourced, produced and delivered to our stores. Reducing our environmental impact is a priority through every step of the Aldi supply chain.” – Aldi Director of Communications Kate Kirkpatrick

Do you have a unique recycling-focused story that you would like to share? Please send a press release to DeAnne Toto at dtoto@gie.net.