BERKELEY, CA (April 20, 2023) – Leading sports nutrition brand GU Energy Labs, announced today that it has kept over 3 million used performance nutrition packets and packaging out of landfills through its free Performance Nutrition Recycling Program created in partnership with TerraCycle, the world's leader in the collection and repurposing of complex waste streams.
Launched in March 2015, the GU Performance Nutrition Recycling Program provides a way for athletes to send all single-serve sports nutrition packaging, regardless of brand, to TerraCycle to be recycled for free. This includes gel, chews, stroopwafel, and drink packets. As the program matured, individuals were also given the option to drop off their empty performance nutrition packaging at a number of participating run, bike, and outdoor shops throughout the United States.
“Longevity is one of our core values, and our sustainability and recycling efforts focus on finding practical and impactful solutions,” said Magda Boulet, President of GU.
Combined, the amount of waste collected to-date equates to nearly 14,000 pounds, enough to upcycle into 60,000 compost bins to collect more waste. Once collected, the packaging is cleaned, separated by material type, melted, and remolded to make new recycled products such as shipping pallets, bike racks, park benches, and recycling bins.
“Over the past eight years, the Performance Nutrition Recycling Program has offered health-conscious, eco-minded individuals a way to responsibly enjoy the endurance products they need without sacrificing convenience or sustainability,” said TerraCycle CEO and Founder, Tom Szaky. “Reaching this recycling milestone shows how dedicated GU athletes are to making the world greener, which is a huge win for both our communities and shared environment.”
In 2021 GU Energy Labs implemented the TerraCycle Pledge, making it a requirement for all races the brand sponsors that TerraCycle collection boxes be available onsite to collect and recycle used wrappers. Additionally, GU regularly supplies reusable HydraPak SpeedCups and HydraPak 5-serving gel flasks to athletes to reduce paper cup usage at events.
“Longevity is one of our core values, and our sustainability and recycling efforts focus on finding practical and impactful solutions,” said Magda Boulet, President of GU. “We’re proud of the impact we’ve had so far with our athlete and race partners in recycling over 3 million sports nutrition wrappers and now need to collectively encourage more brands and consumers to join us in making a commitment toward a more sustainable future.”
The Performance Nutrition Recycling Program is ongoing and open to any interested individual, race organizer, retailer, school, office, or community organization. To get your free shipping label to send your wrappers to TerraCycle, visit https://guenergy.com/pages/terracycle.
For more information on TerraCycle’s recycling programs, visit www.terracycle.com.
ABOUT GU ENERGY LABS
GU Energy Labs strives to help athletes to reach their highest potential with products that deliver the right nutrients, in the right amounts, at the right time. Since its founding in 1993, GU has been committed to increasing access to sport for all. To that end, GU Gives – the company's philanthropic arm that focuses on uplifting underserved and underrepresented communities – supports organizations and initiatives centered around 3 pillars: physical movement, environmental stewardship, and food awareness. Headquartered in Berkeley, CA, GU Energy Labs produces all of its Energy Gels onsite, largely through sustainable solar power. Learn more at www.guenergy.com.
ABOUT TERRACYCLE
TerraCycle is an international leader in innovative sustainability solutions, creating and operating first-of-their-kind platforms in recycling, recycled materials, and reuse. Across 21 countries, TerraCycle is on a mission to rethink waste and develop practical solutions for today’s complex waste challenges. The company engages an expansive multi-stakeholder community across a wide range of accessible programs, from Fortune 500 companies to schools and individuals. To learn more about TerraCycle and join them on their journey to move the world from a linear economy to a circular one, please visit www.terracycle.com