Image credit: Cotton Incorporated.

15 Nov 2023 — As the US celebrates America Recycles Day today, we look at contributions made by two industry leaders, Cotton Incorporated and Bota Box, toward improved environmental sustainability in the packaging industry. 

The day is a national initiative by the community improvement nonprofit organization Keep America Beautiful and is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the US. 

This year, the organization shares that America Recycles Day will center on the “Recycling Reality Check” campaign, aimed at taking some of the mystery out of material recovery and clarifying some of the myths surrounding recycling. 

Using the hashtag #recyclingrealitycheck, organizations and individuals can connect and get clarity on recycling best practices.

“America Recycles Day is more than just a day; it’s a movement,” says Jenny Lawson, president and CEO of Keep America Beautiful. 

“At Keep America Beautiful, we educate and inspire people to make environmentally responsible choices. We know there is a lot of confusion around recycling, what’s working, what’s not, and how everyone can contribute to preserving our natural resources. Knowing how to recycle properly is a step in the right direction toward a cleaner, greener and more beautiful planet for future generations.”   

In recognition of the day, Bota Box and Cotton Incorporated set the stage for a commitment to sustainability, urging individuals to make mindful choices and embrace the power of recycling in their daily lives.

Bota Box’s bag-in-box packaging could reduce the California wine industry’s carbon footprint by up to 40%.Food and pharma packaging from denims
Cotton Incorporated champions textile recycling with its Blue Jeans Go Green program, repurposing denim and diverting it from landfills. Since its inception in 2006, the program has diverted over 2,290 tons of denim, giving old jeans a new lease on life.

“The Blue Jeans Go Green program does good for the Earth by avoiding the landfill and creating new possibilities for communities through their purpose,” says Andrea Samber, director of brand partnerships for Cotton Incorporated. 

“Thanks to the renewability of denim made from cotton, your well-loved jeans, jackets, and more can be given a new life, from building insulation to pet bed inserts, thermal packaging and beyond. Recycling textiles is important every day, so we hope that America Recycles Day will be an opportunity for Americans to learn about this incredible program and understand how easy it is to get involved.”

This initiative encourages consumers to embrace sustainable fashion by recycling denim from at least 90% cotton. It aims to close the loop on textile waste by reusing denim made from cotton and recycling it. So far, the company shares that nearly 4,580,000 pieces of denim have been recycled.

Wine packaging
Bota Box, a prominent player in the wine industry, is making waves with its commitment to reducing the carbon footprint associated with wine packaging. 

The company shares statistics revealing that 66% of American wine drinkers are unaware of boxed wine’s lower landfill impact compared to glass bottles, despite 74% expressing a preference for environmentally friendly packaging.

“The wine industry’s most significant contributor to GHG emissions is wine packaging,” details the company.

Furthermore, it says Bota Box’s bag-in-box packaging could reduce the California wine industry’s carbon footprint by up to 40%. Bota Box’s three-liter cartons, 100% recyclable and generating 96% less landfill waste than glass bottles, have reportedly saved over 200,000 tons of waste in two decades.

This America Recycles Day, Bota Box uncorks the potential for positive change and raises a glass to a more environmentally sustainable future.

By Radhika Sikaria

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