About the can carrier collection program
Want to boost your sustainability program? Sign up to be part of our can carrier reuse and recycling program!
Our program is starting out in the Chicago area and looking for breweries to participate in and promote the program.
Here’s how it works:
1) Customers return PakTech can carriers to the brewery
2) The brewery collects, cleans and sanitizes them, then reuses them
3) Repeat
Breweries save money by not having to buy new can carriers, while also earning good publicity and good will from the public. They can share excess can carriers with other breweries in need. We make sure can carriers stay out of the landfill with breweries reusing them or donating them to our artist partners in Chicago and Kansas City to turn them into new products.
WHY PARTICIPATE?
PakTech can carriers are the industry standard for four- and six-packs. Unfortunately, they are not easily recycled and often end up in the landfill. In Chicago, it’s virtually impossible to ensure can carriers stay out of the waste stream. In fact, just 2% of these can carriers get recycled, so most end up in the trash or are incinerated. And just 10% are reused.
That’s a lot of unnecessary waste!
And while PakTech has a recycling program, in which it provides a receptacle that breweries can send back to the company, it’s done on the brewery’s dime, meaning any cost savings are likely lost in shipping.
By encouraging consumers to return can carriers – perhaps with the promise of a free pint for bringing back a certain number – breweries can reuse them, saving money, keeping them out of the landfill and earning positive publicity.
Fill out the form to join the program!
HOW WE CAN HELP
Craft for Climate will support and promote breweries involved in the program through social media and PR outreach. Participating breweries will be included in an interactive map. We can provide branding for signage and include participants in a private Facebook group, where breweries in need can connect with those that have a surplus.
We’ll also work to find ways to recycle can carriers that have reached their end of their usefulness.