Mars, TerraCycle Turn Office Coffee Waste Into New Products

June 19, 2009

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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.

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