Coca-Cola, Harris Teeter Team for ‘Recycle and Win’

Recycle and Win, a nationally recognized sustainability initiative that launched in Charlotte, N.C., last year, has returned – with a kick. Coca-Cola Consolidated, the city of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful and grocer Harris Teeter have once again teamed up to encourage recycling by offering consumers a $100 Harris Teeter gift card if they’re “caught” recycling properly.

Under the six-month program, which began in October, every single-family household in the Charlotte area will receive an educational mailer containing images of which materials should go in the recycling bin. The mailer also includes a “Give it Back” sticker, which residents must place on their bins for a chance to win a gift card.

“Recycling not only protects the environment, but it is good for our communities’ bottom line,” noted Charlotte mayor Anthony Foxx. “Recycling extends the life of landfills and saves tax dollars now and for years to come. The case for recycling is strong. Proper recycling requires only a small amount of time and it saves money and reduces pollution.”

“With the communities’ new larger roll-out bins, it is more important than ever to educate everyone on the importance of recycling and recycling properly,” added Lauren Steele, VP, corporate affairs at Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, the largest independent Coca-Cola bottler in the United States. “We also believe that recycling should be a rewarding experience, and what better way to encourage people to recycle than by giving them an opportunity to be a winner!”

Steele, a long-time advocate of recycling, continued: “Recycle and Win enhances Mecklenburg County’s reputation as a leader in this country’s sustainability efforts.”

The Coca-Cola Prize Patrol started visiting communities in Charlotte, Davidson, Huntersville, Matthews, Mint Hill and Pineville in early Nov. and distributed 10 gift cards each week, for a total of 260 prizes throughout the program.

“Environmental stewardship is important to Harris Teeter, and this is one way where we do our part to protect the environment by diverting materials away from landfills,” said Catherine Reuhl, communication specialist at the Matthews, N.C.-based grocer.