‘Fonterra Brands New Zealand’ launches recycling program for pouches of dairy products

Fonterra Brands New Zealand has taken the initiative to recycle yoghurt pouches and make them into useful products. In collaboration with TerraCycle at zero cost, the company is planning to roll out upcycled products that will include children’s pencil cases, and unique products such as chairs and park benches. Both Fonterra and TerraCycle partnered for the “Fonterra Pouch Brigade” program mainly for recycling Fonterra Anchor UNO pouches, reports Food Business Review.

Fonterra Environmental Manager Nic Bishop mentioned that Fontera Brands New Zealand took the decision to recycle pouches to make products more useful to the communities. The idea struck when it was preparing to launch its kid's yoghurt “Anchor Uno” in a pouch format. The company also realised it was difficult for consumers to recycle the packaging.

Recycling solution

“We know that pouches are hugely popular with kids. But we also know that Kiwis care about their environment and want to recycle their packaging waste. That's why we have partnered with Terracycle to provide a recycling solution for all yoghurt pouches - that's Anchor Uno pouches or any other yoghurt pouch. This program also builds on the Anchor Recycling Movement, which is where we develop recycled product ideas and community partnerships,” Bishop said.

TerraCycle New Zealand General Manager Anna Minns also confirmed that TerraCycle recycles the “unrecyclable.”

“The Fonterra Pouch Brigades are a fun and free way for New Zealanders to get involved in recycling. For every 1kg of pouches we receive, we'll give 100 TerraCycle points to a local community group, school, or a charity of the collector's choice,” Minns said.

In the run up to the launch, TerraCycle has worked out all arrangements with FBNZ in terms of resources for collecting, shipping and recycling whether it is DIY collection bins, posters or signages, said Minns. TerraCycle is already operating in 21 countries with a mission to eliminate waste.

Sign up

Prospective users can sign up to the program at the TerraCycle's website and send the recycling bin to it as and when it reaches 2kg minimum shipment size, reports Recyclable Packaging Business review.

To recycle with the Fonterra Pouch Brigade, consumers can follow the steps below.

• Visit terracycle.co.nz/fonterra-pouch to sign up.
• Create own recycling bin and place it at the school, kindergarten, community group or at home
• Collect the pouches once the recycling bin reaches the 2kg minimum shipment size, send it for free to TerraCycle
• TerraCycle will then donate 100 TerraCycle points for every 1kg of pouches to a local community group, school or charity.
• The first 25 brigades that sign up will receive an Anchor Uno voucher. The first 50 will go into the draw to win 1 of 5 up-cycled products.

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