BRANFORD, Conn. – Residents of Branford are to begin receiving new, large-capacity recycling carts today as part of the beverage industry's Every Bottle Back initiative. The initiative, which funds projects to improve recycling rates, is investing nearly $140,000 in Branford to replace small curbside recycling bins with 96-gallon carts that can hold more recyclable materials, including the beverage industry’s plastic bottles, which are designed to be 100% recyclable. The investment also includes funds for a community outreach campaign to inform residents about best recycling practices. 

“American Beverage is proud to help create a more efficient and effective recycling system for Branford residents,” said Kevin Keane, interim president and CEO of American Beverage. “Thanks to new, larger recycling carts and an informational campaign we hope to collect more of our 100% recyclable bottles and cans, creating a more circular economy for our valuable containers. We are thankful to work with leaders in Branford to make this recycling modernization a reality.” 

"We are thrilled to take this step to improve solid waste and recycling collection for the residents of Branford," said James B. Cosgrove, first selectman from the Town of Branford. "Thanks to this grant, the recycling carts, along with the education about recycling right, not only will residents have more space to recycle, but the recycling process will be made easier, ultimately reducing waste and making Branford a more environmentally sustainable community."

"The Recycling Partnership has been excited to work with the city of Branford to make it even easier for residents to recycle," said Keysha Burton, director of community infrastructure programs at The Recycling Partnership. "The upgrade from small bins to large carts means more materials can be recovered and put back into the recycling system as feedstock for manufacturers, furthering a move towards a circular economy."

This investment will directly benefit more than 28,000 Branford residents across 8,700 households. Over the next decade, the investment is expected to yield more than four million pounds of new recyclables, including 157,560 pounds of PET plastic and 52,520 pounds of aluminum, both of which are used to make the beverage industry’s 100% recyclable bottles and cans. 

The town of Branford is the latest in more than 30 initial projects the beverage industry has committed to funding under Every Bottle Back. To date, all Every Bottle Back investments total more than $20 million in committed funding and are estimated to yield more than 726 million more pounds of PET over the next 10 years.

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