Circular Economy: Closing the Loop at Eden

Circular Economy: Closing the Loop at Eden

Aylesbury Box Company is passionate about sustainability and the Circular Economy. We take pride in minimising waste and using recyclable materials in box manufacture. We’re not alone, greater awareness and government incentives have encouraged many companies to consider waste management strategies.

One organisation that has consistently led the way in sustainable practices is The Eden Project. Rainwater harvesting, recycling and local suppliers were part of the initial development and ideas have continued to evolve.

Eden Tackles Coffee Cup Waste

With coffee cup recycling becoming a topical issue, The Eden Project was keen to find a solution. Working with Simply Cups, a specialist company, they’ve developed a closed loop system for disposable cups. What does this mean?

STEP 1: The manufactured cup is used to serve drinks

STEP 2: ‘Cup only’ bins are provided throughout Eden

STEP 3: Simply Cups collects and processes the cups

STEP 4: The cup materials are refashioned into items

STEP 5: The recycled items are sold in the Eden gift shop

The money raised from gift shop sales makes the scheme financially viable and sustainable. The process transforms a single use product into a multi-functional product. Waste is minimised, along with the environmental cost. It is certainly in keeping with the Eden ethos.

Summer Festival Reduces Waste to Landfill

Simply Cups has worked with other organisations to minimise coffee cup waste. Over the august Bank Holiday 170,000 people attended the Reading and Leeds Festival. Collaboration between Simply Cups, Festival Republic and Huhtamaki, led to Return Points being provided and recycling actively encouraged, throughout the festival sites.

In total 475,000 cups were collected and recycled, amounting to 6050kg waste prevention in one weekend. This scheme helped to keep the festival site cleaner as well as improving the environmental sustainability of the festival. It is hoped that other events will adopt such a scheme.

Recycled Cardboard Boxes

If environmental credentials are a priority in your business, Aylesbury Box Company can manufacture boxes made from 100% recycled cardboard. Our cardboard engineering skills inform box design, so we can minimise or remove the need for tape and fillers. We encourage cardboard box reuse and when the box is no longer useful, it can be recycled. If this is the service you are looking for, discover more about our environmental policy.