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Why Ben & Jerry’s is ditching plastic

Sarah Stowe

Ben & Jerry’s is to cut single-use plastic from its 600 Scoop Shops.

In early 2019 the company will remove plastic straws and spoons from its stores. Ben & Jerry’s also plans to address plastic cups and lids used to serve ice cream by the end of 2020.

Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops currently hand out 2.5 million plastic straws a year, and 30 million plastic spoons.

Global sustainability manager Jenna Evans is leading the transition. “We’re not going to recycle our way out of this problem,” she said. “We, and the rest of the world, need to get out of single-use plastic.”

The transition began in August 2018 when Scoop Shops made plastic straws available by request only. Many Scoop Shops had already turned to plastic alternatives by this time.

By April 9, 2019 (the brand’s Free Cone Day) its Scoop Shops will be using wooden spoons. Paper straws will be available by request only.

Within the next two years Ben & Jerry’s will find an alternative to clear plastic cups, plastic-lined cups, and plastic lids.

Evans said Ben & Jerry’s is looking at sustainable packaging options for its ice cream tubs. “Over the past year, we have begun an intensive effort to find a biodegradable and compostable coating that meets our product quality requirements,” she said.

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