Creating A Sustainable Future with How2Recycle

Creating A Sustainable Future with How2Recycle

Beam Suntory is proud to join the How2Recycle® label program to assess the recyclability of its packaging in the United States and Canada. The company will use its smart label system to clearly communicate transparent recycling instructions on-pack, empowering consumers to take proper action when recycling or disposing of their brands’ various packaging elements. 


“It’s a priority of ours to minimize our portfolio’s impact on the environment across each brand’s packaging life cycle. Addressing the recyclability of our portfolio is just one of the ways we can do that,” said Kim Marotta, Vice President - Global Head of Environmental Sustainability. “Working with How2Recycle, we’re able to take a two-prong approach that accounts for both the business and societal implications when it comes to recycling. Recycling requirements and programs vary across countries and localities, and it can be difficult for a business to navigate and even more confusing for a consumer. By using How2Recycle labels, it will be easier for consumers to decipher what components of our brands’ packaging can be recycled – and what can’t, so together, we can reduce the amount reaching the landfill and our environmental footprint.”
 

This partnership supports the company’s ambitious, long-term packaging goals as part of its $1 billion Proof Positive sustainability strategy. The company aims to achieve 40 percent recycled materials by weight across its packaging portfolio and use 100 percent recyclable packaging by 2030.
 

After going through the How2Recycle program’s standardized assessment, each Beam Suntory brand will be classified as either Widely Recyclable, Sometimes Recyclable/Check Locally, Not Yet Recyclable, or Store Drop-off recyclable, and Beam Suntory will leverage available insights to inform ongoing design improvements. As defined by How2Recycle, packaging is only deemed recyclable if it can be collected, sorted, reprocessed, and ultimately reused in manufacturing or making another item. Brand members can then add How2Recycle label(s) to packaging to communicate the recyclability of each main packaging component, clearly and transparently.
 

“We are proud to be among the first beverage alcohol companies to take this step with How2Recycle,” said Kim Marotta. “We see it as an important milestone in our sustainable packaging journey and proud to share it with our community.”