Mars, TerraCycle Turn Office Coffee Waste Into New Products

June 19, 2009

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Millions of offices make coffee every day. Mars Drinks, which makes Flavia coffee, is partnering with TerraCycle to recycle all elements of the coffee-making process.

Through the partnership, Mars will encourage companies to establish “Flavia Fresh Pack Brigades” to collect spent coffee packs. After collection, the coffee grounds will be composted and sold, the pack’s plastic nozzle will be recycled and the film on the exterior of the pack will be turned into pencil cases or notebooks, according to a press release.

Additionally, Mars Drinks incorporates the following sustainable elements into its office coffee program:

New cups use 10 percent post-consumer recycled material.
Coffee brewers heat only enough hot water for a few drinks at a time, conserving energy.
The box that displays the fresh packs in offices is made from 90 percent post-industrial recycled content.
The plastic rail in the display box is made from recyclable material.
The coffee is available in Rainforest Alliance certified blends, as well as blends sources from Brighter Tomorrow at Origin.

The partnership between Mars Drinks and TerraCycle is part of a broader program with four other Mars business segments.

By making products ranging from cell phone holders and laptop sleeves to messenger bags, TerraCycle will repurpose waste packaging from Mars five U.S. business segments – Chocolate, Petcare, Wrigley, Food, and Drinks. The packaging will be recovered at Mars facilities, as well as in the “Brigade” consumer recycling programs.

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Stay competitive through sustainability.

Find out how at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Best Practices: Product Environmental Compliance

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/20/2009
11/19/2009
11/18/2009

Charts [ see all ]

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores

Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Trade Association on Trade Group on EPA Chemical Regs: ‘If Everything is a Priority, Then Nothing is a Priority’
"Seriously… that..."

Gary Markowitz on Supermarkets Tackle Emissions Reductions, Fuel Efficiency
"Supermarkets waste over 10 percent of their energy through improper..."

peter in ireland on Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
"Governor Schwarzenegger is shooting himself in the foot! 1...."

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."

peter dublin on California City’s Green Building Ordinance Applies to Commercial Buildings
"Why energy efficiebnt regulation on buildings –..."

Environmental Leader