Endeavour Group has announced the launch of a new recycling initiative, becoming the first Australian retailer to develop a wide reaching circular scheme for the reuse and recycling of can clips.
In the new scheme, customers place used can clips in collection units in BWS and Dan Murphy’s stores, to then be picked up by local independent breweries or mobile canning company East Coast Canning for reuse.
“Many beer lovers are familiar with the can clips that hold four and six packs of brews together, but many don’t realise that the clips are made of such sturdy material that they can be reused more than 50 times before being recycled and made into new clips,” said Endeavour Group Quality & Sustainability Manager, Diarmaid O’Mordha.
“Can clips are a great option for a circular economy, but there have been no multi-state recycling options available for customers where they can return the clips so many end up in landfill, which is why we have initiated this industry-wide reuse and recycling scheme.”
The program was created through a partnership between Endeavour Group, the Independent Brewers Association (IBA), East Coast Canning, Visy Recylcing and PakTech.
PakTech produces the can clips from 100 per cent recycled HDPE material already used and recycled by customers in other products like milk bottles. Once the clips have been reused by brewers to the end of their lifespan, Visy Recycling then converts them into HDPE resin, which is then returned to PakTech to create more clips.
Kylie Lethbridge, IBA General Manager, commended the initiative for creating a circular economy that will benefit brewers and the environment.
“This is the first time an Australian retailer has launched a can clip recycling program, and we are very excited because with a robust recycling program in place, can clips are incredibly sustainable and a great option for a circular economy. As a bonus, it will help our brewery members reduce costs while making a positive contribution to the environment,” Lethbridge said.
“This new model reflects similar systems already in place in the US and Canada. It presents a great opportunity to manage and mitigate our impact on the environment as these clips will no longer end up in landfill.”
Some of the local breweries that will pick up and reuse the clips in this scheme include All In Brewing in Brisbane, Willie the Boatman in Sydney, and Temple Brewing in Melbourne. Other IBA members who are interested in being part of this program with Endeavour Group are encouraged to reach out to IBA, to their Endeavour Group merchandise manager or to their local Dan Murphy’s or BWS store.
While the program has only launched in select stores at the moment, Endeavour Group is planning to roll out the scheme in more stores later this financial year.