Kraft Foods Becomes Official Food Sponsor of RecycleBank

Philadelphia-based RecycleBank, an incentive-based recycling program, has announced that Kraft Foods has signed on as the “Official Food Sponsor of RecycleBank.” According to a press release issued by RecycleBank, the partnership will allow both companies to work together to educate consumers about the importance of recycling and improving recycling rates from the current 33 percent.     

RecycleBank seeks to partner with companies that are corporate leaders in environmental efforts. The “official sponsorship” status is given to one industry leader per category, and Kraft was chosen because of its approach to sustainability and its packaging initiatives, according to RecycleBank. In addition to sustainable sourcing of material and reducing product packaging, Kraft is looking to improve recycling rates so that less packaging finds its way to landfills.

“We’re addressing packaging sustainability from start to finish and seeking to make recycling easier for our consumers,” Roger Zellner, director of sustainability research, development and quality, Kraft Foods, says. “Kraft’s partnership with RecycleBank is a key component of that effort. RecycleBank’s unique recycling model not only simplifies the recycling process, but also rewards consumers for their efforts. In the end, we believe if the consumer benefits from recycling, the environment will win.”

Currently, RecycleBank operates in more than 35 municipalities throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware, Massachusetts, Vermont and New Jersey with plans for nationwide expansion this year. RecycleBank households have diverted almost 36 million tons of recyclables from landfills.

“RecycleBank provides its reward partners with an outlet to directly reach consumers and to promote environmental efforts,” Ron Gonen, co-founder and CEO of RecycleBank, says. “Partnering with RecycleBank gives companies like Kraft an opportunity to strengthen its holistic marketing efforts while helping to ensure a more sustainable future.”