Nature’s Path Organic Foods kicks off its partnership with Loop to test a new platform to eliminate packaging waste

Loop launches in New York as its first North American city to test reusable packaging to tackle the world’s waste crisis


RICHMOND, British Columbia, May 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As part of its commitment to leave the earth better than they found it, Nature’s Path today kicked off its partnership with Loop – a new global shopping platform aimed at eliminating waste by disrupting the world’s reliance on single-use packaging. As one of Loop’s founding partners, Nature’s Path is joining a coalition of global brands rethinking and reworking its manufacturing and packaging to offer goods in reusable containers.  Through a circular, zero-waste model, empty containers are collected from the consumer and refilled by the manufacturer at least 100 times and recycled into something new at the end of the container’s life cycle. This continuous cycle of reuse and refill aims to address our waste crisis and overuse of our planet’s resources. As the program launches in New York in May 2019, Nature’s Path will be introducing its organic Pumpkin Flax Granola with plans to expand its product offerings as Loop enters other North American markets over the next year.

Nature’s Path is committed to greater sustainability through its pledge to climate neutrality by 2020 and having all of its packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025. As such, helping to shape a new global supply chain based on a circular solution is a natural role for the company.  “Nature’s Path is a pioneering company so testing new methods to benefit people and planet is part of our spirit,” says Arran Stephens, co-founder and co-CEO of Nature’s Path. “We were the first certified organic cereal and granola company in North America so for us to be the first organic food company partner on the Loop platform makes perfect sense.”

“There’s growing awareness about the impacts and the effects of plastic pollution on the environment, and we know people want to reduce the amount of waste created by the products they love and purchase,” says Jyoti Stephens, VP Mission and Strategy for Nature’s Path, and daughter of the company’s founders.

Loop was announced at the World Economic Forum in January 2019 by TerraCycle and its founding brands, like Nature’s Path. The Loop model is made possible through the commitment of its founding brand partners to develop a more circular supply chain from packaging design to manufacturing through to consumer use. Nature’s Path estimates that 100 reuses of one reusable jar of its granola will save over 9 pounds of waste generated from 100 boxes of granola.

“There are a lot of great organizations that are working towards a circular economy and Loop is a step in the right direction,” adds Arran Stephens. “How to make Loop and reusable packaging practical on a large scale is something we need to figure out and we have a strong will to do so. Consumers want the change to reusable packaging to reduce waste, and Nature’s Path will be at the forefront of this change.”

As the only food manufacturer with multi-national sites that are zero-waste certified, Nature’s Path is deeply rooted in its commitment to sustainability including always working to improve and reduce its packing footprint, such as: launching larger “ecopac” bags with 66% less packaging (1993); selling in bulk (2002); reducing box packaging by 10% (2004); moving to 100% post-consumer packaging and vegetable-based inks (2008); and, reducing granola box packaging by 102% (2010).

“Nature’s Path has a history of innovation and we are always trying to push the envelope in terms of sustainability,” adds Jyoti Stephens. “We’re deeply committed to reducing our impact on the planet, so Loop is a natural fit for us to continue on that journey.”

For more information on Nature’s Path commitment to both people and planet, and how it uses its food to inspire action and implement solutions to leave the earth better, visit www.naturespath.com/loop.  Both photos and video of Nature’s Path new reusable packaging for Loop are available for download here and here.

Contact:
Wendy Kubota
Nature’s Path Organic Foods
604-838-2679
wkubota@naturespath.com

Cassandra Poulis
Praytell Agency
201-527-8872
cassandra@praytellagency.com

About Nature’s Path Organic Foods
Nature’s Path Organic Foods, is a privately held, family-owned company, producing USDA, Canadian and UK Soils Association Certified Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified breakfast and snack foods sold in grocery and natural food stores in over 50 countries around the world. Committed to the triple bottom line— socially responsible, environmentally sustainable and financially viable, Nature’s Path works diligently to support communities and champion the cause of people and planet. Brands include Nature’s Path®, Love Crunch®, Qi’a®, Que Pasa®, Flax Plus®, and EnviroKidz®. Founded in 1985, Nature’s Path is headquartered in Richmond, British Columbia and employs hundreds of valued team members at its four facilities in Canada and the United States. Visit NaturesPath.com or follow on Twitter @NaturesPath and Instagram @NaturesPathOrganic.

How Loop Works

  • SHOP: Consumers will go to the Loop website or Loop partner retailers' websites and shop for trusted brands now redesigned to be packaging waste-free.
  • RECEIVE: Consumers receive their durable products in Loop’s exclusively designed state-of-the-art shipping tote that eliminates the need for single-use shipping materials like cardboard boxes.
  • ENJOY: Consumers experience elegance and convenience all while eliminating the idea of throw-away packaging waste.
  • PICK-UP: There is no need to clean and dispose of the package. As consumers finish their products, they place the empty containers into one of their Loop Totes. Loop will pick-up directly from their home.
  • CLEAN: Loop’s team of scientists has developed custom cleaning technologies so that each product may be safely reused.
  • REFILL, RECYCLE OR REUSE: Loop promptly replenishes products as needed and returns the refilled shipping totes to the consumer. If there is recoverable used product such as diapers, pads, razors or brush parts, they will be recovered to be reused or recycled.

About TerraCycle
TerraCycle is an innovative waste management company with a mission to eliminate the idea of waste®. Operating nationally across 21 countries, TerraCycle partners with leading consumer product companies, retailers, cities, and facilities to recycle products and packages, from dirty diapers to cigarette butts, that would otherwise end up being landfilled or incinerated. In addition, TerraCycle works with leading consumer product companies to integrate hard to recycle waste streams, such as ocean plastic, into their products and packaging.  TerraCycle has won over 200 awards for sustainability and has donated over $25 million to schools and charities since its founding 15 years ago. To learn more about TerraCycle or get involved in its recycling programs, please visit www.terracycle.com.