How many times have you spotted an empty Gu packet or energy bar wrapper discarded on a trail? I recently spotted a press release about a new scheme that recycles this type of trash.
CLIF BAR and TerraCycle have launched a program designed to reduce the amount of energy bar wrappers going into landfills, and educate people about the benefits of reusing waste materials. Together the companies have created the Wrapper Brigade, which will donate 2 cents to charity for every used wrapper collected by individuals and organizations.The collected wrappers will be fused and woven into a strong material, which will then be used to make backpacks, gym totes and other products. These items are expected to be available at major retailers by early next year.
CLIF BAR is sponsoring the program and TerraCycle is providing product collection and reuse expertise. Both partners recognize that millions of energy bar wrappers are discarded each year. Together they want to help make reuse rather than disposal the norm for used wrappers.
Anyone can sign up for the Wrapper Brigade program by visiting www.terracycle.net/brigades. There is absolutely no cost to participate. Within one to two weeks after signing up, you receive four collection bags that hold 200 energy bar wrappers each. You simply mail the collection bags back to TerraCycle and designate the charity you want to support with your wrapper donation. All shipping fees are covered by the program to encourage people to collect as many wrappers as possible.
“We’re very excited to take our sustainability efforts to a new level with the Wrapper Brigade program,” said Carly Lutz, CLIF BAR brand manager. “From using organic ingredients in our bars to selling them in recycled paperboard caddies on store shelves, we are mindful of the importance of trying to reduce our footprint on the planet. Just like our consumers, we’re passionate about the outdoors and want to protect and preserve the places we play.”
The program is part of TerraCycle’s Sponsored Waste movement in which socially and environmentally responsible companies and brands provide funding for TerraCycle to collect and reuse their packaging, including bottles, yogurt containers, drink pouches and now bar wrappers.
200 energy bar wrappers - that is an awful lot, I wonder how many miles it equates to? I’m not a huge fan of Clif Bars as the fibre in them seems to send me off onto the side trails much too frequently. I seem to deal better with Larbars and my local grocery store has recently had Kashi GoLean bars on sale, so I gave them a try with good results. Sorry Mayor, I know this processed stuff makes you squirm!
February 29, 2008 at 11:41 am
Interesting story. I fear that this may very well qualify as “feel good” recycling. Energy bar wrappers and empty Gu packets are encountered fairly infrequently. I would guess that in most cases the most environmentally benign thing to do with one that is already on the ground is to leave it where it is! I know that sounds harsh, but I suspect that the energy to transport it, the water/chemicals/energy to “recycle” it, or the pollution caused by burning it all represent less desirable outcomes. While it is always good to raise people’s consciousness about recycling, I fear that some of these programs, which amount to “grandstanding”, may be very counter-productive, and induce cynicism on the part of the public when found to be just clever advertising. I could be wrong in this case, but one definitely needs to be careful. Also, let’s remember that the first “R” in the “RRR” (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) philosophy stands for Reduce, which means “don’t buy it” in the first place. That is a hard concept for Clif to get behind. Perhaps reduced packaging is the compromise here.
Don’t even get me started on bottled water…
February 29, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Its all good Bimble!!