How we recycle (ALL) reusable drink bottles and cups

If there’s one thing that makes us gnash our teeth in despair, it’s greenwashing.

When we sat down to create a Chunky Bottle Recycling Initiative, we knew we had to make it meaningful. We didn’t want to create a recycling program just so we could feel a bit smug and a bit good about ourselves.

Sure we make stainless steel drink bottles (and cups) because we’re on a mission to stop the use of single-use plastic bottles and throwaway cups. But with no option to recycle stainless steel and aluminium bottles and cups in kerbside collections, these reusable items also end up in landfill. Curses.

It’s time to do better

We don’t want any drink bottles or cups to end up in landfill. And that’s not just our drink bottles, but any reusable drink bottles or stainless steel reusable cups.

So, in an effort to be better humans and not turn a blind eye to the consequences of our actions, our Bottle Recycling Initiative accepts Chunky bottles and cups and ALL other stainless steel and aluminium bottles and reusable cups.

How to recycle your used stainless steel or aluminium bottle with the #bechunkyrecyclinginitiative

1. Drop off your old stainless steel or aluminium bottle to one of our participating retailers in New Zealand. NOTE: This can be ANY brand, not just Chunky. It’s all about diverting as many bottles and cups from landfill as possible.
2. Chunky delivers the bottles to the nearest member of the NZ Association Metal Recyclers
3. Job done.

Circular economy, anyone?

We’re proudly partnering with the NZ Association of Metal Recyclers and the Australian Metal Recycling Industry Association (AMRIA) on this project. We reckon they have the right idea when it comes to scrap metal as they see it as a resource rather than waste.

Because isn’t it time we reframed our thinking on manufacturing? The “take-make-dispose” framework advocates a system where all products end up as non-reusable, non-degradable or even toxic waste. Instead, we’d like to work towards a circular economy, a system which confronts dinosaur-age-thinking. The Circular Economy encourages rethinking manufacturing processes and making products which can be fully-reutilised or recovered at the end of their life cycle.

And there are cool outcomes to be had. Like significantly minimising the drain on primary resources at the same time as reducing the waste going to landfill. It encourages cost savings, innovation and securing supply chains. If you’re with us on this one, you should definitely give “circular economy” a Google and other great organisations like the Sustainable Business Network and Zero Waste Network.

Loan Cup Silicone Lids Recycling

We have partnered with the awesome poeple at Munch so that you can send back or drop off any old silicone lids for recycling - check out Silicone Send Back here.

Join the #bechunkyrecyclinginitiative

So, if your reusable bottle or cup had a nasty run-in with a car tyre or you bought some other brand and it’s just not holding up (it’s okay, no judgement here), then bring it into one of our retailers and we will sort it. We cover the cost, no charge to you, amigo.

Find your local participating stockist and help stop the flow of used drinking bottles and reusable cups to landfill.