2021 SPC Innovator Awards Innovation in Responsible Sourcing Winner:

Driscoll’s: Responsible Sourcing of Recycled Clamshells

Driscoll’s sought to raise the recycled content in their product while also addressing the end market challenges of recycled PET thermoforms by sourcing post-consumer recycled clamshells. Prior to this innovation, Driscoll’s thermoforms contain over 50% recycled PET sourced primarily from recycled bottles. In 2020, Driscoll’s worked with its supply chain to move its proprietary PET clamshells from containing 0% recycled content from PET thermoforms to10% recycled content from PET thermoforms by the end of the year.

The Importance: Historically, there has been very limited market demand for recycled PET thermoforms. Driscoll’s transition to sourcing PET thermoforms is a first in the berry industry with respect to promoting closed-loop packaging solutions. By working with its packaging suppliers to close the loop on clamshell recycling, it is estimated that in 2021 Driscoll’s will keep over 7.9 million lbs. of PET clamshells from ending up in the landfill.