Bel Group, the maker of Babybel, Laughing Cow and Boursin cheeses, is partnering with TerraCycle to assure the recyclability of the packaging of the tens of thousands of its Canadian products sold annually.
The iconic red Babybel packaging can now be recycled thanks to a new program that encourages consumers to participate in the recycling of products. In partnership with TerraCycle, which specializes in recycling materials that cannot be placed in the blue bin, Babybel packaging will be transformed and given a second life.
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As an element of its strategy to offer healthier and responsible food for all, Bel Group’s packaging aims to reduce its environmental footprint through an innovative eco-design policy. From raw material sourcing to end of life, the company set out to optimize its packaging eco-efficiency along its full life cycle.
The new recycled products will be made from used packaging once it has been collected, cleaned, melted and remolded. All components of Mini Babybel’s packaging, including the cellophane, mesh, labels, metal fasteners and wax, can now be recycled thanks to the new program.
The plastic elements of the packaging are recycled and transformed into plastic pellets that will be used to make other reusable plastic objects, such as garden tools or park benches. Once separated from the labels, metal fasteners are melted down to make gaskets, nuts or bolts. The red wax wax will be used to make candles after being melted and filtered to remove impurities.
“As part of Bel’s responsible approach, we have set ambitious goals to be achieved by 2025, including reducing our environmental footprint. To do so, we are proud to count on a new partner of choice, TerraCycle, which offers free national recycling programs for consumers. We encourage consumers to work with us to give Mini Babybel’s packaging a second life. This program is the first step in a series of measures to protect the environment. Thanks to this partnership, which complements the recycling bin, we will be able to prevent materials from ending up in landfills,” said Cristine Laforest, General Manager of Bel Canada, in a press release.
This is not the first food packaging partnership for Terracycle, which is steadily gaining ground in the food industry. Last month, US grocery chain Kroger teamed up with TerraCycle to give people nationwide a way to recycle flexible packaging of more than 300 products from Simple Truth, the grocery chain’s natural and organic line. And, Bimbo Bakeries USA, which says it’s the largest baking company in the US, is making all bread, bun, bagel and English muffin packaging easily recyclable.
According to Babybel, “to participate in the program, consumers must first register on the TerraCycle website. Then, they would keep the nets, labels, metal fasteners, cellophane and wax from their Mini Babybel and put them in a box. When they are ready to send in their packages, they must print out a prepaid shipping label available on the website, place it on the well-sealed box and mail it to TerraCycle free of charge. In order to transport waste in the most efficient and environmentally friendly way possible, consumers are encouraged to ship their packages only when they are full.”
Consumers earn points for each shipment of packaging, which can be redeemed for a donation to a non-profit organization of their choice.
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