If your company is like most others, you may be feeling a lot of peer pressure lately to hop on the green bandwagon. After all, green is the new black. On a surface level for consumers, it has become a type of status symbol, and for manufacturers it is occasionally just a half-hearted public relations attempt.
Companies across the supply chain have embraced sustainability as an overarching term for better business practices. Through the years, corporate definitions have expanded beyond decreasing packaging waste and water usage to the introduction of functional products and employee wellness programs. Indeed, offering a standard definition of “sustainability,” not to mention its key issues, can be difficult.
Beverage companies are taking on new strategies in regard to the goals of their recycling initiatives. One would be hard pressed to find a beverage company not involved in recycling, but the industry continues to expand existing recycling programs. Craft brewer Boulevard Brewing Co., Kansas City, Mo., had to expand its recycling efforts in order to become a zero-landfill facility in January. In 2009, Boulevard’s Founder and President John McDonald, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Krum and Technical Director Mike Utz became co-founders and principals of Ripple Glass, a glass recycling company, to help close the loop in the brewer’s glass bottle consumption.
One of the six pillars of The Coca-Cola Co.’s 2020 Vision is dedicated to sustainable goals organized under its Planet initiative. The company aims to attain global leadership in sustainable water use as well as industry leadership in packaging, energy and climate protection.
The economy and the environment are at the top of many minds lately. Consumers don’t simply want to save a buck, but they also want to feel like they’re doing some good in the process.
Since setting out as an independent company in August 2004, Sunny Delight Beverages Co. (SDBC), Cincinnati, has expanded beyond its core brand of SunnyD juice-based drinks. The company now maintains a portfolio of seven brands that not only appeal to children, but consumers of all ages and lifestyles
In 2007, Sunny Delight Beverages Co. (SDBC), Cincinnati, began to synergize its existing lean manufacturing initiatives to align with the emerging sustainability movement.
Whatever the package type a beverage company chooses, primary packaging can help a product standout from the competition. In a crowded marketplace, uniqueness is the name of the game.
Through the end of October, more than 300 new teas have launched in 2010, according to Mintel International’s Global New Products Database. Bagged teas led with the most new product introductions so far this year with 148 launches, and new ready-to-drink teas followed with 114 releases.