Nestle's new 're-source' bottled water joins recycling rewards program
- Filed in:
- Bottles,
- Recycling,
- Recycled content,
- Beverage
A recent article from Reuters details a new bottled water product called "re-source" from Nestle Waters North America. According to Nestle, the product and its packaging are better for the environment, due to their construction and to the brand’s participation in a recycling program with Whole Foods Market and Waste Management.
Nestle Waters’ re-source comes from natural springs in the U.S. and is packaged in bottles made from 25% recycled plastic. As Andrius Dapkus, director of innovations and renovations at Nestle Waters North America, explains, over time the company plans to increase the amount of recycled plastic in these bottles. The new campaign also aims to boost plastic recycling. "I've got the added benefit of creating some loyalty, hopefully, for the product, and creating this community of like-minded individuals who are focused on the war on waste," says Dapkus.
As part of the new Nestle Waters initiative, select Whole Foods stores are being equipped with "reverse-vending" machines supplied by Waste Management subsidiary GreenOps. The machines accept used plastic, glass, or aluminum containers for recycling and let users track their individual recycling, claim container deposits, and receive coupons.
There are currently two dozen such machines in California and Arizona at stores owned by Whole Foods, which has the exclusive contract to sell re-source water until October 2010. Sports arenas, universities, convention centers, and other venues that do not compete with Whole Foods stores could also sell the re-source water and house the recycling machines during the exclusivity period, Dapkus said.
For every container recycled as part of the program at Whole Foods, Nestle Waters will donate 5 cents to Keep America Beautiful, a nonprofit known for its anti-litter campaigns. The donation program is planned to launch this summer and run through Earth Day 2010. Proceeds will help support local recycling programs across the country, Nestle Waters says.
GreenOps Tracking System
The GreenOps Tracking System is a product-specific and consumer-driven recycling program that combines the 
infrastructure of Waste Management, the GreenOps Tracking Symbol and Tracking Stations, online information at Greenopolis.com, and Think Green Rewards.
The GreenOps Tracking System compliments curbside recycling and differentiates itself in three ways: It is product and material-specific, it is traceable, and it offers recycling on the go.
The GreenOps Tracking System starts with the GreenOps Tracking Symbol on product packaging and uses proprietary scanning technology at GreenOps Tracking Stations to recycle packaging and directly engage people through a registration process. Each time a consumer recycles using the GreenOps Tracking Station, they receive a receipt indicating the number of items recycled and a deposit statement with a prize code redeemable for points at Greenopolis.com.
The GreenOps Tracking Station also provides a way for companies to engage their consumer through a direct message, on the Tracking Station or on the Tracking Station video screen. Applications are also in development for scanning at home and school, and from your mobile phone.
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I'm happy to hear that Nestle, one of the biggest corporations in the world decided to encourage eco-friendly packaging and use recycled plastic. It will take much more effort to reach a sustainable living level on Earth and this is a good start. Eva Longhart
Nestle and some other companies have had such initiatives for many years now. Their activities towards saving the environment are some of the most efficient. Not only the 5 cents donations to the "anti-litter" organization, but I heard that they even made at least one car donation to this organization so that they would have more resources to deal with littering. They are setting a very good example for the other multinational companies and, also, a high standard in fighting for a greener world!
I am the owner of a restaurant wholesale supply company and I was recently approached by some nonprofit organization to participate is something similar to this. They would give me great discounts if I buy and commercialize their "re-source" bottled water. Of course I said yes to the deal because I love the environment and even if it is a little thing, I will help them out.
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