Burger King and Tim Hortons to Pilot Reusable Containers Through Loop

Hope Bagozzi, Chief Marketing Officer of Tim Hortons, echoes Banton’s sentiments on the importance of the Loop platform in reducing packaging waste. “Throughout Waste Reduction Week, we’ve been making announcements about the many ways we’re working to use more recycled materials, make our products more recyclable, and reduce waste,” she says. “Yesterday’s announcement on the end of double-cupping will eliminate the use of 200 million cups over the next year. Adding a reusable option to our sustainability packaging mix sets us apart in our journey to reduce waste.”

Last February, Tim Hortons announced plans to give away nearly 2 million reusable cups as part of a 10-year commitment to change consumer perceptions and habits toward using reusable cups. That plan was paused due to the pandemic but will be relaunched when possible.

See: Global CPGs Embrace Transformative Loop Circular Shopping Platform

Giving consumers’ confidence in the safety of the reusable containers that are a part of the Loop returnable container program, Tom Szaky, CEO of TerraCycle and Loop, shares that Loop’s cleaning systems have been created to sanitize food containers and cups, meaning each will be hygienically cleaned and safe before each use. He adds, “During COVID, we have seen that consumers have relied more on single-use cups and containers due to health restrictions. This initiative by Tim Hortons signals that getting back to adopting reusable containers will be important when those restrictions are lifted.”

According to Burger King, the partnership with Loop aligns with its restaurants’ rigorous safety procedures around cleanliness and hygiene, all which have become even more pressing during the current pandemic.

See: How Safe is Reusable Packaging During COVID-19?

Beginning next year, select Burger King restaurants in New York City, Portland, and Tokyo will be among the first to implement the Loop model, with more cities expected to be added in the coming months. Participating restaurants will feature a collection system, in which guests can return the packaging for cleaning by Loop and for subsequent use by Burger King restaurants.

Tim Hortons will also begin their pilot next year, at select Toronto restaurants. According to the brand, it’s anticipated that over time, the Loop platform will have a growing number of drop-off locations—both at its restaurants and elsewhere—that will make the program even more convenient for guests to participate in.