Encouraging reuse rather than recycling
![Encouraging reuse rather than recycling](/media/uhkdikci/gg-zaks.png)
When it comes to the way resources are used and disposed of, reuse is always preferable to recycling. That’s why kombucha brewer, Zak Tozer, from Zak’s Kombucha, implemented a bottle return scheme for customers buying his beverages.
Impact
Increasing the rate of bottle returns from customers will result in a huge reduction in waste and CO2 emissions, since it removes the need to produce new glass bottles. Commercially, if the return rate is increased from 50% to 75%, that would mean that product could be bottled for an additional nine weeks without needing to order new bottles.
About the project
Growing Green grant value: £7,955.28
From the business’ inception sustainability was at its core. Zak makes use of sustainable, often local produce, and a bottle return scheme was implemented to avoid waste. This project is looking to take it to the next level by introducing branded, screen-printed bottles to improve the return rate. From around 50-70%, they aim to increase the returns average to a minimum of 75%.
Screen-printing the bottles also has the added benefit of avoiding plastic labelling and decreasing work for the staff.
About Zak’s Kombucha
Location: Wye, Kent
Zak’s Kombucha produce a fermented drink that is traditionally made with tea, sugar and water. Zak is aiming to create a sustainable business that reduces waste, celebrates sustainable produce, and minimises carbon footprint by re-using bottles. He has created a price model that works by incentivising bottle returns for both retailers and customers.