Our mission is to make the best possible ice cream in the nicest possible way, and to make sure we’re looking out for the planet as much as we are people. We’re committed to always improving our practices, and we’ll never stop moving towards the most responsible and sustainable solutions possible across all of our business.

Our tubs now have 40% less plastic in them, which makes them more widely recyclable, and the plastic that is left is now made from a renewable plant source. It’s not total perfection yet, but we’re workin’ on it.

We’ve also got a new recycling logo on the tubs, so keep an eye out for it so you can be sure to toss your tub in the recycling bin but only, ahem, after you’ve spooned every last chunk and swirl out of it thank you very much.

If you already know the recycling rules in your area and now you’re all like ‘Hey Ben & Jerry’s thanks, but, I know this stuff already’… then ignore this. But if you don’t know your local recycling rules and instead you’re all like, ‘Hmm that’s interesting’…then check out below. Because if you know, you know. Ya know?

What's it made from?
Coated Paperboard

Do I have to do anything before recycling?
Rinse & Squash it

Which bin should I put it in?
Cardboard & Paper Bin

Check out https://www.gov.uk/recycling-collections for more details based on your area.

We’ve made our tubs more sustainable by switching to a material called BIO PE. This basically means that the source for our packaging materials comes from sugar cane rather than fossil fuels, so it’s plant-based.

What does that reeeeally mean you ask? Well, plant-based packaging is a renewable resource, therefore more sustainable. AND it will still keep your favourite flavour nice n’ safe, almost like a hug, but just colder and without arms.

Ben & Jerry’s has a long history of taking action on packaging. We’ve long made sure that all of our paperboard packaging has Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certification. FSC certification means that the pulp in the paperboard comes from forests that are managed for the protection of wildlife habitat, maintenance of biodiversity, and other forest sustainability criteria.

We’re working on new options to further reduce the use of single use plastics and bring more sustainable solutions to our packaging both in our scoop shops and in the tubs you enjoy at home. We’ll keep you posted!

Single-use plastic is a massive global environmental problem that we cannot recycle our way out of – the only solution we see is to stop using it. We estimate our Scoop Shops currently use roughly 30 million spoons and 2.5 million straws per year.  That’s why in 2018 we began our transition away from single-use, petroleum-based plastics in our Scoop Shops.  We no longer offer plastic straws and spoons in any of our 600+ Scoop Shops worldwide, but we’re not stopping there. We also plan to address plastic cups and lids by the end of 2020.

Ben & Jerry’s has already embarked on its plan to get out of single-use plastic in its Scoop Shops:

• August, 2018—Scoop Shops were encouraged to keep straws behind the counter and made them available by request only. 
• April 9, 2019 (Free Cone Day!)—Scoop Shops completed the transition to paper straws and wooden spoons. 
• By the end of 2020 —Ben & Jerry’s will find an alternative to clear plastic cups, plastic-lined cups, and plastic lids. 

We know this solution is not a perfect one and we’re committed to exploring additional options to further reduce the use of  disposable items. Thankfully, our Scoop Shop business has a baked-in solution to plastic waste: it’s called our Waffle Cone!

We make some tasty spoonless wonders too. Like our Cookie Dough Peace Pops, which is your favourite cookie dough reimagined… on a stick! They come on a wooden stick and nestled in a nifty new wrapper made with 88% paper, making it widely recyclable in Sweden.