We are slowly working towards eliminating non recyclable plastics incoming or outgoing. We continue to work with our suppliers on sustainable packaging solutions. We have begun to replace the non recyclable Mylar plastic bags that some of our small parts and components were packaged in, for recyclable LDPE or HDPE plastic pouches and lockable cardboard envelopes. 

It doesn’t end there – with the inevitable waste that is produced, you have to find creative solutions to recycle or reuse it. Let’s face it, recycling is not easy – in most cases it’s harder to recycle something than it is to throw it away, particularly when it comes to bulk waste and manufacturing operations. One of the hurdles we face at Cane Creek is finding recycling centers that will accept certain materials. If the process was easier and if there were more opportunities to recycle more materials, one could easily assume that more recycling would occur.

When we receive parts that were packaged in non recyclable plastic, we will reuse the plastic in our own assembly processes sometimes 2-3 times over, so if you do happen to see plastics in our packaging, it is likely on its 2nd, 3rd, or 4th use.

We joined the WNC Brewery Recycling Cooperative to help aid us in our recycling efforts. This cooperative was created to help improve recycling in our region by creating infrastructure for recycling bulk industry waste that would otherwise go to a landfill. While it started for the many breweries we have here in WNC, it is open to any business that is interested. 

The goal of this post is not to pat ourselves on the back – it is to bring more awareness to this ever growing problem, and hopefully inspire other businesses and people to engage in similar initiatives. The more people we can get to contribute to this cause, the more streamlined reducing waste could be.