May 17, 2022
As part of the Dickens Candles commitment to sustainability, founder Adam Dickens has co-founded the Chicagoland Can Carrier Reuse and Recycling Co-op. After having success giving extra life to beer bottles by upcycling them into soy wax candles, Dickens set out to see how else he could help the craft beer community become more sustainable. Craft beer cans from breweries big and small are packaged in plastic PakTech can carriers. Unfortunately, they are not easily recycled and often end up in the landfill. In Chicagoland, it’s virtually impossible to ensure can carriers stay out of a landfill. Despite being marketed as “100% recyclable” by manufacturers, nearly 9 out of 10 can carriers end up in a landfill after a single use.
Despite being marketed as “100% recyclable” by manufacturers, nearly 9 out of 10 can carriers end up in a landfill after a single use.
Dickens was able to connect with two like minded beer drinkers to solve the plastic can carrier problem. The co-op, which launches in conjunction with Illinois Craft Beer Week, is the result of months of planning and collaboration between Dickens, Alex Parker (Craft for Climate) and Rob Vandenabeele (EcoFriendly Beer Drinker), who has successfully organized similar efforts in New England.
You can click here to read the official press release with full detail on how the Chicagoland Can Carrier Reuse and Recycling Co-op works.
In addition to being involved in the Can Carrier Co-op, click the link below to learn more about Dickens Candles commitment to sustainability.