|
BEVERAGE INDUSTRY WASTE
MANAGEMENT
The beverage industry possesses great potential to reduce
waste and close the recycling loop.
A commitment to recycling and waste reduction provides
financial and environmental benefits.
The EPA recognizes businesses as partners in waste reduction
and recycling efforts.
This partnering program, called WasteWise, encourages
businesses and organizations to practice responsibility with
waste. Partners can
receive help with outreach, industry resources, and nationwide
recognition for their efforts.
PREVENT WASTE
Waste prevention or reduction is the most efficient way of
managing waste.
Beverage companies committed to waste prevention have
implemented many practices, such as:
- Producing
lightweight plastic, glass, and aluminum containers
- Eliminating
the extra packaging around the base of plastic liter containers
- Switching the
holding material for fountain soda dispensers
- Switching to
lighter weight corrugated packages and cartons
- Using plastic
cases as opposed to corrugated shipping boxes
- Reusing waste
materials as feedstock for plastic pallet production
- Developing a
glove reuse system instead of disposing gloves daily
- Measuring and
tracking waste during production
- Refurbishing
vending machines instead of disposing of them
RECYCLING COMMITMENTS
Beverage industry partners maintain a commitment to start,
expand, or continuously improve recycling programs within their
companies. These commitments may involve beginning a new
program, adding materials to a currently existing program, or
increasing community outreach and education.
Beverage industry partners have specifically committed to:
- Recycling all
six-pack rings
- Collecting,
baling, and recycling all corrugated cardboard
- Establishing
a buy-back container program to promote recycling to customers
- Recycle all
plastic shrink wrap, drums, and strapping
CLOSING THE RECYCLING LOOP
Recycling does not end with diverting waste from landfills.
Creating a market for materials made with recycled
content ensures the sustainability of recycling.
Beverage companies can choose to include more recycled
content in the materials they produce and purchase materials
made with recycled content.
Sample efforts include:
- Increasing
the amount of recycled glass content
- Increasing
the amount of recycled material in cardboard
- Increasing
the amount of recycled plastic content in PET (plastic)
containers
INDUSTRY PROGRESS
Many large beverage corporations have committed to recycling
and waste reduction, including RC Bottling, Anheuser-Busch,
Coors Brewing, National Soft Drink Association, Coca-Cola,
Trinity Springs, and others.
By transferring their telephone directory from paper to their
local intranet,
Anheuser-Busch diverted approximately 10.3 tons of paper
from waste and saved nearly $140,000.
Fetzer Vineyards,
by composting grape pulp and skin, leftover from processing, and
yard trimmings, saved nearly 9 tons of waste.
The Coca-Cola Company
continues to increase its recycling efforts. At least three out
of four plastic beverage containers contain 10 percent recycled
material. The
company also transmits its newsletter electronically, saving
over 3,000 pieces of paper a week.
Honest Tea,
an organic beverage company, even incorporated recycling in its
facility, using recycled glass for kitchen counters, bamboo
flooring, and reclaimed brick.
The company developed a plastic beverage container that
is 22 percent lighter than other types, cutting down on waste
and making transport more efficient. Honest Tea regularly
participates in community outreach and education programs, like
teaching kids about diverting drink pouches from the waste
stream.
|
Printer Friendly / Create PDF
