Hannaford, TOMRA Launch Recycling-based Program

Hannaford Supermarkets and TOMRA of North America Inc. have introduced a fundraising program enabling shoppers to help the community when they recycle.

Customers who recycle their deposit-valued bottles and cans at Greenback Redemption Centers at 22 participating Hannaford locations in the greater Capital Region and Hudson Valley of New York State will have the option to donate the 5 cents they get for each redeemed container to select local charities. The first beneficiary is the Northeastern New York chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), which will be the featured community organization through May 31.

“As a supermarket retailer, we are in an ideal position to raise awareness and support for worthy causes in the areas we serve,” noted Molly Tarleton, community relations specialist at Scarborough, Maine-based Hannaford.

Customers can take part in the program in two ways. Each TOMRA reverse vending machine at the Hannaford locations will feature an option to convert recycled deposit-valued bottles and cans into a donation. Customers can also give recyclable cans and bottles to a Greenback staff member who will process the containers and ensure the redemption value is donated to the designated charity.

“We felt this was an ideal situation to utilize our technology to not only benefit our environment, but to also benefit our community,” said Harald Henriksen, president and CEO of TOMRA. “Recycling is such a positive activity, and a great way to rally the community to help address this disease and work towards a cure.”

“Each year, more than 15,000 adults and 15,000 children are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the U.S.,” said Patricia M. Kenney, executive director of JDRF’s Northeastern New York chapter. “This program is a great example of how businesses and caring individuals can come together and make a difference, raising valuable funds needed for research to help those living with T1D, as well as those yet to be diagnosed.”

Hannaford’s recycling-based fundraising program will eventually benefit a range of local and regional organizations dedicated to health and wellness, child development and families, and hunger relief.