Recycling FAQs
Posted by Theo Chocolate on Apr 20th 2022
We constantly look for ways to reduce the environmental impact of our business across our supply chain and operations. We often get questions about the recyclability of our packaging and what our plans are to help mitigate our environmental impact.
We hope this FAQ guide helps answer some of your questions. Also, keep an eye out for our 2021 Impact Report which we plan to publish in June.
What can be recycled?
While it is always best to check with your local recycling program for their requirements, here is what can be recycled and what cannot be recycled in the city of Seattle.
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Can recycle: The outer paper label of our chocolate bars, light cardboard boxes, shipping boxes, and clean candy and cup inner cardboards trays.
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Cannot recycle: Inner foil wrapper of our chocolate bars, cookie bite pouches and the flexible plastic wrap of our candy and cups.
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Compostable: Our packing peanuts are water-soluble! Since they are made of corn starch, you can actually eat them too, but we don’t suggest it.
What are you doing to reduce your environmental impact?
We have been exploring alternative packaging solutions that will reduce our impact but maintain our quality standards. In May of 2019, we took active steps towards sustainable packaging by joining OSC2 and creating realistic goals for our packaging transitions.
Our team is currently working on two projects that will help reduce our environmental impact.
- Compostable Packaging: Since 2019, we have been working to reduce the negative impact of plastic packaging used on some of our products by switching to compostable, plant-based materials. In 2021, we identified two new compostable packaging materials and began feasibility research. It will take another year to conduct production and quality tests. Transitioning to a compostable material while also upholding the quality of our product has had unexpected hurdles as we identify a suitable material.
- Post-consumer recycled material: While we wait for the results of the compostable packaging tests, we identified, tested, and piloted a new plastic material made with post-consumer recycled material to reduce the negative impact of our current packaging. Products using this material will be clearly labeled. Currently, the material contains a minimum of 20% post-consumer recycled material and the vendor is constantly working to increase this percentage.
How can I upcycle your packaging?
Foil Wrapper: We love creating a simple origami bookmark.
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- Cut the foil into a square. Then place it in front of you so it looks like a diamond with the reflective foil side down.
- Fold the bottom corner of the foil up to meet the top corner and crease the fold.
- Fold the left corner up so that the tip aligns with the top of the triangle. Repeat on the right side and then unfold both.
- Fold the top layer of the top corner and bring it down so that the tip lines up with the bottom edge of the triangle.
- Tuck the left and right corners under the folded-down flap.
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Cookie Bite Pouches: Reuse the pouches as snack bags! We love making our own custom trail mix, especially when we add a couple of leftover Cookie Bites to the mix.