Texan by Nature, Texans for Clean Water launch six-month pilot project to recycle PET thermoform plastics at Sam’s Club; project will provide El Pasoan’s with cash incentives for PET thermoforms recycled at all four Sam’s Clubs locations in El Paso

Sample article from our Packaging Industry

EL PASO, Texas , July 28, 2022 (press release) –

El Paso citizens will receive a cash incentive per PET thermoform plastics recycled

Texan by Nature (TxN) and Texans for Clean Water (TFCW) today launched a 6-month pilot project to recycle PET thermoform plastics in collaboration with Sam’s Club in El Paso. This project is a fundamental step in TxN and TFCW’s goal of reducing litter in waterways and roadways through community-driven recycling. The project will provide El Pasoan’s cash incentives for PET thermoforms recycled at all four Sam’s Clubs locations in El Paso. PET thermoforms include clear fruit and produce containers, trays, tubs, cups, lids, plastic egg cartons, and other clear plastics with PET 1 symbol. Data and outcomes from the project will be shared with other retailers as a model for replication and an example of supply chain circularity.

“Litter and illegal dumping cost the city of El Paso $6M per year. This pilot has a goal of recycling 110,000 lbs of PET plastics over six months, keeping it off roadways and out of waterways,” says Joni Carswell, CEO, and President at TxN. “This collaboration between the citizens of El Paso, Texans for Clean Water, and Sam’s Club will build on prior models of providing financial incentives for material return that have been successful in reducing litter and waste.”

Fully funded by Texans for Clean Water, the project dovetails with other litter research initiatives and public policy outreach. A leader in collaborative conservation initiatives, Texan by Nature is managing the pilot and working closely with community partners on messaging, education, and promotion of the pilot. 

“We’re excited to play a role in making recycling more accessible for the El Paso community,” says Christopher Poulin, Vice President, Regional General Manager of Operations, Sam’s Club. “This pilot aligns with our goals to become a regenerative company and we’ll be exploring ways to use the recycled materials collected to make packaging for some of the products we sell.”

In North America alone, 1.6 billion lbs of PET thermoforms are discarded every year with only about 10% being recovered. For this pilot project, consumers will use the MeCycle App to drop off their PET thermoforms and receive cash incentives that they can claim through Venmo or donate to a local El Paso charity. Green Impact Plastics will recycle the thermoforms and then the recycled materials will be used in new packaging by manufacturer D6. To help improve the circularity of its supply chain, Sam’s Club will also explore opportunities to use the recycled packaging for some of its products.

“This pilot is focusing on PET thermoforms, but it could be translated to other materials. Point being, people don’t toss loose change out car windows and will still stop to pick up a dime off the sidewalk,” says Maia Corbitt, President of Texans for Clean Water. “Plus, getting this material back supports Texas’ recycling industry and we’re proud to champion projects that are a win-win for the environment and economy.”

To learn more about Community-Driven Recycling in El Paso, click here.

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About Texan by Nature:

Texan by Nature (TxN) unites conservation and business leaders who believe Texas’ prosperity is dependent on the conservation of its natural resources. TxN, founded by former First Lady Laura Bush, acts as an accelerator for conservation groups and a strategic partner for business. TxN supports 110+ conservation organizations and has accelerated projects and programs that have impacted 7 million-plus people, 20 million acres, and all of Texas’ 254 counties Get involved and learn more at www.texanbynature.org and follow us on Facebook @TexanbyNature, Twitter @TexanbyNature, and Instagram @texanbynature for the latest.

About Texans for Clean Water:

Texans for Clean Water (TFCW) is a 501c4 non-profit, advocacy organization dedicated to win-win solutions that reduce waterway trash and floatable litter, for the benefit of the Texas environment and economy. TFCW was formally organized in 2013 when Mike Garver of Houston and Trammell Crow of Dallas joined forces to bring the problem of floatable debris in our waterways to state and local officials. Restoring the viability of our waterways improves neighborhoods, brings recreational opportunities to our communities, and encourages economic growth. Learn more at: www.texansforcleanwater.org

About Sam’s Club:

Sam’s Club®, a division of Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT), is a leading membership warehouse club offering superior products, savings and services to millions of members in nearly 600 clubs in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Now in its 39th year, Sam’s Club continues to redefine warehouse shopping with its highly curated assortment of high-quality fresh food and Member’s Mark items, in addition to market leading technologies and services like Scan & Go, Curbside Pickup and home delivery service in select markets. To learn more about Sam’s Club, visit the Sam’s Club Newsroom, shop at samsclub.com, and interact with Sam’s Club on Twitter and Facebook.

About Green Impact Plastics

Green Impact Plastics is the only PET reclaimer in North America, solely dedicated to recycling thermoforms. The company was founded by Octavio and Juan Pablo Victal, with 16 years of background in designing and operating recycling facilities. Members of the NAPCOR, APR, US Plastics Pact and NSAC where the main goal is to promote circularity in packaging that is finding its way to landfills at a rate of 1.6 billion pounds per year. Learn more here: https://greenimpactplastics.com

About D6

D6 is the fastest design-to-shelf packaging manufacturer, unique in its vertical integration and ability to use 100% post consumer recycled content (“PCR”) by taking in waste products, wash cleaning and upcycling/manufacturing food grade packaging products. D6 Inc is on track to become the world’s first Carbon Negative packaging company by 2025 – 2030. In under 8 years our company has processed over 1.2 billion lbs. of waste and this number continues to grow as we do. Learn more here: https://d6inc.com.  

About MeCycle

MeCycle builds digital recycling technology that engages consumers, improves packaged goods circularity & gathers valuable consumption insights.  MeCycle’s mission is to drastically reduce the 100s of billions of plastic and aluminum items that end up in landfills and oceans each year.  MeCycle gives consumers a mobile app that lets them scan items to see whether to return or recycle them, claim return incentives or deposits and opt to donate those funds to local charities. Learn more here: https://www.me-cycle.com.  

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