Today I have to give props to several major corporations who recently made news by opting to use high-quality, reusable packaging instead of plastic!
Nestle, Proctor & Gamble, PepsiCo and Unilever are among dozens of others that hope to permanently reduce plastic waste by partnering with TerraCycle, a New Jersey-based sustainable recycling company in what they’re calling the “Loop” system.
The Loop’s pilot program launched in May, when shoppers in and around New York and Paris were invited to participate. These consumers are now receiving products packaged in glass, steel and other more durable and reusable materials instead of single-use plastic.
And instead of the packaging being recycled after a single use, the empty containers are picked up from doorsteps by a sort of new-age milkman so it can be cleaned, refilled and used again.
With the Loop system, the consumer doesn’t own the packaging; they’re simply “borrowing” it from the manufacturer.
If the Loop system becomes popular, products could ultimately include everything from laundry detergents and personal care products to food and drink packaging and more.
“From a philosophical point of view, we have got to lean in and learn about this stuff,” Simon Lowden, president of PepsiCo’s global snacks group. “People talk about recyclability and reuse and say they’d like to be involved in helping the environment, so let’s see if it’s true.”
Since 1950, an estimated 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic have been created, which is equivalent in weight to 1 billion elephants, and around 91% of this hasn’t been recycled, ending up instead in landfills or other places like waterways, forests and roadsides.
It’s refreshing to see some of the world’s largest companies now joining in the fight against plastic waste. And it will be interesting to see if consumers likewise embrace reusable packaging, too. So far it’s looking promising—there’s already a waiting list of more than 45,000 for cities where Loop hasn’t launched yet.
Earlier this month Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a ban on single-use plastics by 2021. He added that the responsibility for collecting and recycling these products will fall on plastic producers.
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I think it’s a great idea, just something I so seldom bother to do…honesty time, I think it was maybe five years ago that I wiped off my coils. Not good!!!
The Loblaws grocery chain in Canada is also doing a pilot of this program in Toronto, Ontario! I am very much hoping that they extend it to all of their stores in Canada!!!!
I love this idea. I still have my insulated milkbox on my front porch!
I would use it in a heartbeat!! I want to do everything possible to help reduce the plastics in landfills. Despite meticulous recycling habits at home, I understand so many of the plastics don’t end up being recycled. I’m thrilled that companies, like Loblaws, are getting on board in Canada too!
Growing up we had reusable everything….the bottling plants (for pop, beer, etc.) would sterilize the used bottles and use them again. You would buy your beverages and pay a bottle deposit. Then you would get that deposit back when you returned the bottles. It was a smart way of doing things in my book. I never liked the idea of cans. I don’t think things taste as good coming out of a can as opposed to glass. As for milk, well…growing up in Wisconsin’s dairy land, our milk came right out of the bulk tank, and yes, we used glass for that as well. Today I look for products in glass and not plastic. I’m glad the trend will start swinging back again.
I think this is a great idea! I was recently by the ocean and seen 3 plastic bags in the water!
Really great to push more responsibility on the manufacturer. It should be full circle, this helps R&D to search for more sustainable options.