Ball Corporation Includes Eco-Takeouts in Sustainability Program

Ball Corporation is a large packaging and aerospace company headquartered in Broomfield, CO that has launched company-wide sustainability initiatives. Therefore, it wasn’t a stretch for Eco-Takeouts™to become a part of Ball’s foodservice operations, which are managed by Guckenheimer.

In a recent interview, Foodservice Director Tim Leary expressed sincere enthusiasm for Eco-Takeouts™ as a product. He likes their durability, stackability, — and the fact that once they do wear out, he can recycle them. Although he has tried compostables, he found that they break down quickly, sometimes before a meal is completed.

Tim provided additional details — helpful information for other B and I accounts interested in setting up a reusable to-go program:

Accountability System
Ball buys all containers, and there is no cost to employees to use them. The honor system has worked well, and 80% to 90% of the containers are returned to the cafeteria promptly. The rest are left in break rooms for pick-up by cafeteria staff. Tim also provides incentive for non- foodservice employees to return “strays.” It’s not uncommon for a custodian to return ten containers found in odd places. The effort is rewarded with a free cookie or soda.

Logistics
Ball’s 3-mile corporate campus is made up of seven buildings. So yes, it requires more work from his team to retrieve containers from each location. However, as you will see once you read on, the savings more than offset the additional labor needed to collect containers.

Keys to Success
Here’s why Tim believes the reusable container program has been successful:

• Top-down support. Ball executives eat in the same cafeteria with other employees. They use Eco-Takeouts™ and return them to the cafeteria, just like everyone else.

• Company-wide commitment to sustainability.

• A DVD produced by corporate communications to introduce the program and explain how to participate. Email reminders were also sent during the first few weeks of the program.

• Foodservice management commitment and staff buy-in.

The Bottom Line
• Before Eco-Takeouts™, Tim bought 50,000 Styrofoam™ containers a year.

• Instead, he buys 1,000 or so Eco-Takeouts™ containers every other year. (He does buy a case of disposables once or twice per year for visitors.)

• Estimated savings — $800 per month.

• Other savings: two hours per day in labor (less trash to manage) and one less Dumpster every other week.

G.E.T. applauds Tim Leary and Ball Corporation for making the commitment to maintain a reusable to-go container program. Ball employees also deserve recognition for their part in making it work. Their efforts are paying off in cost savings and environmental benefits!

About Wilma

As G.E.T.'s Sustainable Products Manager, I have more than 15 years of experience managing quick serve and casual dining restaurant foodservice promotions. And what do I know about sustainability? Well, I read eco research, study best practices, and follow Mom’s example by reusing grocery bags and recycling cans. Like many of you, I am looking for ways to apply environmental research and eco-friendly best practices in our schools, companies, and communities. I'll share what I learn, and pass along some tips-- mine and others-- you can apply to your own "green" goals.
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6 Responses to Ball Corporation Includes Eco-Takeouts in Sustainability Program

  1. Argan oil says:

    I enjoyed perusing Ball Corporation Includes Eco-Takeouts in Sustainability Program | Sustainable Trends in Foodservice, the subject was very interesting and your writing style is enthralling and interesting. I have signed up to your rss so that I can not miss future pieces on this and other topics.

  2. extremely appreciated your post, you can keep them coming

  3. Impressive blog post thought it was really helpful and educational

  4. Extremely good post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I’ve truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. Right after all I’ll be subscribing for your feed and I hope you write again soon!

  5. Wilma says:

    Thanks, Michael. If you have any topics of interest related to foodservice sustainability, please send them to me. I’m always looking for new subjects.

  6. Wilma says:

    Thank you for the compliment. Here is our Facebook page address: http://www.facebook.com/#!/EcoTakeoutsMovement

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