In the latest in a series of sustainability announcements timed to coincide with Waste Reduction Week, Tim Hortons has partnered with TerraCycle’s zero-waste platform Loop on a pilot program offering reusable and returnable cups and food containers.
The test will begin in select Toronto locations next year. It will see patrons pay a refundable deposit for the cups and containers, which will be professionally cleaned before being put back into circulation.
“To really make an impact, we know we need to do something completely different. And as Canada’s quick service restaurant leader, we also know it’s our responsibility to be bold in that change,” said Tim Hortons’ chief marketing officer Hope Bagozzi in a release. “That’s why we’re really excited to be announcing this industry-leading initiative. A first of its kind in Canada that focuses on reusables.”
Burger King, Tim Hortons’ sister company in Restaurant Brands International, also announced a partnership with Loop that will see it introduce reusable containers in select restaurants in New York, Portland and Tokyo beginning in 2021. The company said that the initiative is part of its commitment to source 100% of its guest packaging from renewable, recycled or certified sources by 2025.
Other programs announced by Tim Horton’s this week include a planned change to napkins made with 100% recycled fibre and use 25% less material and the launch of paper-based wrappers that are fully recyclable and will reduce the use of paper by 17% a year.
The company also announced a plan to end the practice of “double-cupping” its hot beverages, a move it said will eliminate the use of approximately 200 million cups over the next year.