Five million pounds and counting: Bimbo Bakeries USA cuts packaging waste with TerraCycle

The programme set up by the American corporate arm of Mexican multinational bakery giant Grupo Bimbo allows consumers to recycle the packaging of Bimbo’s bread, buns, bagels and English muffins in the US.

Additionally, for every pound of packaging waste sent to TerraCycle, collectors will earn points that can be used for charitable gifts or converted to cash and donated to non-profit organisations of their choice.

“Because plastic bags, like those used in our packaging, are not recyclable today through household recycling streams, most end up in landfills. Expanding our partnership with TerraCycle enables consumers across the country to easily recycle our plastic bags from their own homes at no charge,”​ said Fred Penny, president of Bimbo Bakeries USA.

100% sustainable packaging by 2025

“This was an important, immediate action for our company as we work toward our commitment of 100% sustainable packaging by 2025.​

“As the first and only baking company to partner with TerraCycle, we have already recycled more than five million pounds of waste and look forward to enabling consumers to divert more millions of pounds of plastic from landfills.”​

Consumers can recycle empty bags by signing up with TerraCycle, then mailing it using the free prepaid shipping label. All submitted packaging is cleaned and melted into hard plastic that can be remolded to make new recycled products.

“At TerraCycle, our mission has always been to eliminate waste, recycle the unrecyclable and use our innovative business solutions to minimise human impact on the planet,”​ said TerraCycle CEO Tom Szaky.

“It’s through lasting partnerships like the one we enjoy with Bimbo Bakeries USA that allow us to fulfill our objective and help preserve the environment for future generations.”​