Malt Bag Recycling: Join Our Effort to Reduce Waste
Help us recycle 200,000 malt bags each year and reduce landfill waste!
At Country Malt Group, we’re passionate about sustainability and reducing our environmental footprint. A key initiative in this mission is our malt bag recycling program. By championing responsible disposal of malt bags, we’re committed to sustainable solutions that benefit our communities and the planet. This guide delves into the importance of malt bag recycling, steps to prepare malt bags for recycling, and where to find recycling locations. Join us as we strive for a greener future!
The Importance of Malt Bag Recycling
Malt bags are essential for transporting grains and ingredients. Typically made from polypropylene, a durable and lightweight plastic, these bags perform their job admirably. However, their recyclability depends on local recycling programs. Many facilities accept polypropylene, so it’s vital to check with local waste management services to ensure proper disposal and recycling practices.
Improper disposal of malt bags can harm the environment, leading to landfill overflow and pollution, as they take centuries to decompose. Recycling malt bags helps reduce carbon footprints and supports sustainable packaging solutions.
Recycling enhances sustainability profiles and demonstrates a commitment to environmentally friendly practices, boosting brand loyalty among eco-conscious consumers. Additionally, recycling initiatives engage the community, bringing local businesses and residents together to support waste reduction efforts. By collaborating, awareness about the importance of recycling can be raised, inspiring others to adopt sustainable habits.
Preparing Malt Bags for Recycling
Promoting sustainability starts with recycling malt bags. Follow this guide to clean and prepare your malt bags for recycling:
HOW TO MAKE A MALT BAG LOG
To maximize space in the gaylord recycling bins, malt bags need to be rolled into an easy to transport, compact “log” which is made up of about 40 malt bags.
Step 1: Take one bag, cut the string with the double string away from you.
Step 2: Pull both ends of the string to remove from bag. Hold bag open like a sleeve.
Step 3: Fold and push the remaining bags inside the bag sleeve to complete your log.
Helpful tips:
- Be sure to shake out any leftover malt from the bags. Rinse the bags thoroughly to remove any residue. For efficiency, consider using a hose if you have many bags. Ensure the bags are completely dry before proceeding.
- Maintain a malt bag log to track your recycling efforts.
- Store cleaned and dried malt bags in a dry, cool area. Establish a sturdy bin for organization.
By following these steps, you support sustainable packaging solutions and ensure your malt bags are ready for recycling!
Finding Locations to Recycle Malt Bags
Recycling malt bags is crucial for sustainable practices. Below you will find our current Country Malt Group distribution centers that accept empty malt bags for recycling, during regular business hours. All #5 Polypropylene plastic malt bags will be accepted from brewers and distillers, regardless of malt brand or customer status.
If you are not located near any CMG facilities that accept empty malt bags for recycling, we also encourage you to contact your local municipality’s waste management office. They provide resources and information on recycling options in your area. Online recycling directories can help you locate facilities that specifically accept malt bags.
HELP US EXPAND OUR MAP!
Know of a facility in your area that will recycle malt bags? Let us know so we can add it to the map for your fellow brewers and distillers!
PARTICIPATING BREWERIES
To get added to our list, please email your logo to marketing@countrymalt.com after recycling your first malt bag log.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the Recycling Program?
This is a recycling program created by Country Malt Group (CMG) and Great Western Malting (GWM) to allow brewers and distillers to easily recycle their empty malt bags, reducing plastic waste.
What are the benefits of this program?
This program reduces the environmental impact of our industry with the potential to divert an estimated 200,000 malt bags out of the landfill annually!
Who can participate in this recycling program?
Any brewer or distiller near a service area can participate in this program.
Do I have to be a customer of GWM or CMG to participate?
No, anyone can participate in this malt bag recycling program! If you’re not a GWM or CMG customer, then you’ll need to drop off your empty malt bags at one of the facilities. View the map for more information.
Who do I contact to schedule a pickup or drop off?
For CMG hot truck customers in Vancouver, Chicago or Champlain only: Pickups of malt bag logs will be done in conjunction with your normal CMG hot truck delivery schedule. If you don’t receive hot truck deliveries, then you can drop off malt bag logs at the warehouses Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. – 4p.m.
Who do I contact with additional questions?
You can reach out to any of our sales or customer service personnel!
What’s a malt bag log?
A “log” is made up of about 40 used malt bags placed inside one bag. Consolidating used malt bags into logs makes it much easier to transport and process. To learn how to roll a log, check out this quick tutorial.
How does the program work?
There are two ways to participate in the program:
- For Vancouver, Chicago, and Champlain hot truck customers: you can give your used malt bags, rolled into logs, to your dedicated hot truck drivers.
- Brewers and distillers outside of the hot truck radius can bring full gaylord bins or drop off malt bag logs to the locations on the map.
What bags are accepted?
We’re currently prepared to accept #5 Polypropylene plastic malt bags from any malt company. All bags must be clean (no malt or liners), clearly marked #5 and rolled into a malt bag log to be accepted.
What do you mean the bag must be “clean?”
All malt bags need to be empty, meaning grain kernel free. Residual grain dust in the bag is fine.
Will you accept bags with liners?
No. Bags with liners are not considered #5 Polyproplyene bags. We’re only able to accept #5 Polyproplyene bags. If a #5 Polyproplyene bag has a liner, then the liner would need to be removed before rolling into a log to be recycled. Strings can be recycled with the #5 Polyproplyene bags, so they can remain on the bag.
Will you take Supersacks?
Our CMG Distribution Center is not equipped to accept Supersacks as part of this recycling program.
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