Return Home by AB InBev

AB InBev is the world's leading brewer / Source: AB InBev

AfricaEuropeFood & BeverageGlassPackagingSouth America

3 MINUTE READ

Emma Grace Bailey

WHAT WE SAY:

The refill and reuse revolution is finally going beyond niche zero-waste stores to big brands taking responsibility for the packaging they create. Now we urgently need to accelerate from trials to full national rollouts that deliver a double whammy impact, reducing both resources and CO2.

But, of course, one brand cannot change an entire system alone. Collaboration is vital to creating a new normal with both convenience and measurable rewards for the shopper. How can we persuade big CPG companies to collaborate versus compete? As ever, profit will be key.

KEY FACTS:

Belgian multinational drink and brewing company AB InBev launched its Return Home circular packaging project in Colombia in 2020.
The project connects recycling collectors and cooperatives in Bogota with restaurants and bars, financially incentivising the former to collect empty Glass beer bottles and send them back to AB InBev to be refilled and reused.
AB InBev sells one million bottles every day in Colombia. The Return Home scheme aims to reduce single-use glass bottle waste while empowering and supporting local communities with tools to improve their livelihoods.

Recycling collectors in Colombia / Source: Nomo Waste

Recycling collectors in Colombia / Source: AB InBev

DIVE DEEPER:

Return Home was launched in collaboration with Nomo Waste – one of AB InBev’s 100+ Accelerator startups from 2020. The Colombian company creates more efficient recycling solutions in the region and works with over 800 recyclers.
Return Home establishes collection routes between recycling collectors and bars and restaurants, providing a regular pick-up service that ensures venues don’t have to store empty bottles for long – often a barrier to efficient recycling.
The project collects one-way glass bottles, returning them to AB InBev’s breweries to be reused and refilled, then returns them to hospitality venues. According to Nomo Waste, a new glass bottle generates 4.8 times more carbon emissions than a returnable bottle.
Local recycling collectors are paid an agreed premium price for the bottles they collect. To ensure this premium reaches the collectors on the ground, AB InBev works with BanQu, another 100+ Accelerator startup. BanQu uses non-crypto blockchain technology to increase visibility of individual supply chain partners.
BanQu’s fully digitised service provides AB InBev with the ability to track and trace the recycling supply chain. The system provides collectors with a digital record of their work to enable them to build a financial history and access financial services.
This recycling programme has also been introduced in Zambia.

"A new glass bottle generates 4.8 times more carbon emissions than a returnable bottle."

Nomo Waste

Key Design Considerations:

Social impact is just as important

Consider how new systems might enable you to tackle wider social issues too. AB InBev’s partnership with BanQu has given it insight into the living and working conditions of its collectors. For example, 40% of the collectors are women, and 70% of these are single heads of household. Additionally, AB InBev provides collectors with personal protective equipment to support the 80% who use manual carts to collect and transport bottles.

Scaling up for larger regions

System change solutions that require individual collectors won’t translate to all global regions. Draw inspiration from wide-scale solutions such as the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative (OBRC). The OBRC runs a pioneering state-wide bottle deposit system, and launched its own refillable beer bottle in 2018. These bottles can be refilled 40 times and are easily separated from other glass bottles in the existing deposit system thanks to unique barcodes. The OBRC collects all refillable bottles and sends them out to partner breweries to be reused.

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Return Home by AB InBev

WHAT WE SAY:

The refill and reuse revolution is finally going beyond niche zero-waste stores to big brands taking responsibility for the packaging they create. Now we urgently need to accelerate from trials to full national rollouts that deliver a double whammy impact, reducing both resources and CO2.

KEY FACTS:

DIVE DEEPER:

Return Home was launched in collaboration with Nomo Waste – one of AB InBev’s 100+ Accelerator startups from 2020. The Colombian company creates more efficient recycling solutions in the region and works with over 800 recyclers.

Return Home establishes collection routes between recycling collectors and bars and restaurants, providing a regular pick-up service that ensures venues don’t have to store empty bottles for long – often a barrier to efficient recycling.

The project collects one-way glass bottles, returning them to AB InBev’s breweries to be reused and refilled, then returns them to hospitality venues. According to Nomo Waste, a new glass bottle generates 4.8 times more carbon emissions than a returnable bottle.

BanQu’s fully digitised service provides AB InBev with the ability to track and trace the recycling supply chain. The system provides collectors with a digital record of their work to enable them to build a financial history and access financial services.

This recycling programme has also been introduced in Zambia.

Nomo Waste

Key Design Considerations:

Social impact is just as important

Scaling up for larger regions

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