BlueTriton Brands announces partnership with Texan by Nature and Texans for Clean Water to expand PET plastics recycling efforts in El Paso, Texas
The 6-month pilot project is aimed at encouraging residents to recycle PET bottles and plastics in exchange for monetary incentives
Stamford, Connecticut – October 3, 2022 – BlueTriton Brands is proud to partner with Texan by Nature and Texans for Clean Water on an El Paso-based recycling pilot program in an effort to reduce plastics in waterways, roadways, and in landfills.
The pilot project provides 670,000 El Paso residents with cash incentives to recycle PET #1 bottles and PET #1 thermoform plastics. BlueTriton is contributing funding support to expand the existing program to now accept PET plastic bottles in addition to PET thermoforms. Participants can use the MeCycle App to drop off their PET plastic packages at all El Paso Sam’s Clubs. Participants will receive 10 cents for each item deposited for recycling and can claim the money through Venmo or donate it to a local El Paso charity. The collected material will be recycled and used in new packaging.
BlueTriton embraces circularity by partnering with industry leaders to improve recycling, using recycled and renewable materials for its products, and designing its products for recyclability and reuse. This pilot is an important demonstration of a circular system capable of generating high-quality recovered and recycled materials necessary for a better tomorrow.
“Recycling and reuse of packaging materials is vital to the sustainability of BlueTriton’s products and value chain. In the U.S., successful systems recycle over 70% of PET plastic beverage containers and this pilot is an important opportunity to evaluate how we can build upon those models in additional communities for both PET thermoforms and beverage containers,” Chief Sustainability Officer Edward Ferguson said.
Starting September 14, all PET Recycling Pilot locations began accepting plastic water bottles for recycling. PET thermoforms include clear fruit and produce containers, trays, tubs, cups, lids, plastic egg cartons, and other clear plastics with PET 1 symbol.
“To date, over 200 El Pasoans have created accounts to recycle PET #1 thermoforms as part of this pilot. Partnering with BlueTriton Brands to accept PET #1 bottles will help us achieve our goal of recycling 110,000 lbs. of PET plastics over six months,” says Joni Carswell, CEO, and President at Texan by Nature. “This collaboration with the citizens of El Paso builds on prior models of providing financial incentives for material return that have been successful in reducing litter and waste, keeping plastics out of our landfills, roadways, and waterways."
Learn more about the project at: https://texanbynature.org/projects/pet/
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About BlueTriton Brands
BlueTriton Brands offers an extensive portfolio of highly recognizable, responsibly sourced, and sustainably packaged spring water and other water brands including Poland Spring® Brand, Deer Park® Brand, Ozarka® Brand, Ice Mountain® Brand, Zephyrhills® Brand, Arrowhead® Brand, Origin™ Natural Spring Water, Saratoga® Spring Water, AC+ION™ Alkaline Water, Pure Life®, Splash Blast® Flavored Water Beverage and Splash Fizz® Fruit Flavored Sparkling Water Beverage. BlueTriton Brands also owns and operates ReadyRefresh®, a customizable water and beverage delivery service that has been certified as a CarbonNeutral® business.
Based in Stamford, Connecticut, BlueTriton Brands and its affiliates in the United States and Canada employ approximately 6,600 associates. BlueTriton Brands manages resources for long-term sustainability, and conserves more than 20,000 acres of watershed area. The Company has 28 production facilities across the United States, 16 of which are Alliance for Water Stewardship ("AWS") certified across 15 sites, with eight of the certified facilities being AWS Platinum, the highest-level certification.
About Texan by Nature
Texan by Nature (TxN) unites conservation and business leaders who believe Texas’ prosperity is dependent on the conservation of its natural resources. TxN, founded by former First Lady Laura Bush, acts as an accelerator for conservation groups and a strategic partner for business. TxN supports 110+ conservation organizations and has accelerated projects and programs that have impacted 7 million-plus people, 20 million acres, and all of Texas’ 254 counties Get involved and learn more at www.texanbynature.org and follow us on Facebook @TexanbyNature, Twitter @TexanbyNature, and Instagram @texanbynature for the latest.
About Texans for Clean Water
Texans for Clean Water (TFCW) is a 501c4 non-profit, advocacy organization dedicated to win-win solutions that reduce waterway trash and floatable litter, for the benefit of the Texas environment and economy. TFCW was formally organized in 2013 when Mike Garver of Houston and Trammell Crow of Dallas joined forces to bring the problem of floatable debris in our waterways to state and local officials. Restoring the viability of our waterways improves neighborhoods, brings recreational opportunities to our communities, and encourages economic growth. Learn more at: www.texansforcleanwater.org.
