OhioBev joined several colleagues at the Keep America Beautiful (KAB) / Keep Ohio Beautiful Midwest meeting to share information on the industry’s Every Bottle Back initiative. Executive Director Kimberly McConville co-presented with Megan Daum, Vice President of Sustainability with American Beverage Association to KAB affiliates gathered at Mohican State Park.
Audience members learned about the multi-pronged approach to getting more of our 100% recyclable plastic bottles collected and turned into new bottles, while keeping them out of nature. Updates on Ohio specific investments included the recycling cart purchase for Central Ohio communities of Pleasant Township and City of Whitehall, and rPET processor Evergreen’s massive expansion. Both projects were among the first Every Bottle Back investments.
Later in the afternoon, Todd Marty Senior Director of Sustainability for Coca-Cola Consolidated presented information about a unique mobile mini material recovery facility (MRF) known as the “Roadie”. He described the Roadie’s ability to sort materials on sight at large festivals, sporting events and other challenging venues where many of our products are enjoyed.
After lots of questions and interest, he led the group outside for a live demonstration of the Roadie. One local affiliate board member even helped run a batch of recyclables gathered from Mohican Lodge. Consolidated has been road testing the technology and hopes to find more uses for the Roadie in 2023.
Finally, everyone appreciated the sponsorships by American Beverage Association and Keurig Dr Pepper and the late fall sunshine at beautiful Mohican State Park.