Last updated on December 12th, 2024
H-E-B has joined the How2Recycle program to help strengthen and reinforce recycling efforts across Texas.
As part of the How2Recycle program, H-E-B will help customers by taking the guesswork out of recycling, joining industry leaders in a new straightforward labeling system that reduces confusion about how, what and where to recycle. The clear, easy-to-read labels let customers know if a product’s packaging can be recycled, which parts are recyclable and importantly, how to prepare material to increase recycling effectiveness.
Through the program, H-E-B will be able to track and measure its recyclable packaging, promote customer recycling efforts and help improve availability and quality of recyclable materials.
The How2Recycle labels are already on hundreds of H-E-B branded products, including H-E-B, Hill Country Fare, H-E-B Select Ingredients, H-E-B Organics and Central Market. By year’s end, the labels will be on more than 1,500 H-E-B branded items, in addition to the national brands on shelves carrying the How2Recycle labels.
H-E-B also will launch an educational effort that includes sharing recycling tips via social media and in-store signage. Additionally, H-E-B will update plastic recycling bins already available at stores, making them more visible, compelling and easy to read to encourage customers to bring in plastics that cannot be recycled at home.
Along with strengthening its recycling efforts, H-E-B continues to find ways to reduce plastic in product packaging and other uses. Last year, H-E-B eliminated plastic straws from H-E-B restaurants and switched to biodegradable straws.
In celebration of Earth Day, H-E-B gave away 200,000 reusable bags this year to help reduce plastic waste. The bag, designed by Julia Rojas, a 12-year H-E-B employee from San Antonio, is made from recycled plastic bottles. Since 2008, H-E-B has given customers more than two million reusable bags in commemoration of Earth Day.
Because H-E-B employees are committed to taking their own steps to beautify Texas, many marked Earth Day by volunteering at outdoor events, tree plantings and community cleanups.
To invite customers to join in its sustainability efforts, H-E-B launched its annual donation campaign to benefit EarthShare of Texas, a nonprofit that supports more than 70 respected conservation groups. Through May 25, customers can donate $1, $3 or $5 online at heb.com or in store at checkout. All proceeds collected from the effort will benefit the nonprofit organization. Over the past decade, H-E-B shoppers have donated more than $1 million through the campaign.
Since 2012, H-E-B has contributed more than $13 million to over 500 environmental organizations in land and water conservation, habitat and coastal preservation and community cleanups. This includes giving more than $2 million in grants to organizations such as Keep Texas Beautiful, Texas Conservation Fund and the Nature Conservancy of Texas.
H-E-B is regularly recognized for its commitment to environmental sustainability. In 2020, H-E-B recycled more than 527 million pounds of cardboard, plastics, office paper, food waste, metal and truck tires. Among its endeavor to minimize waste in 2020, H-E-B recycled 45 million pounds of food into animal feed and compost and recycled 17 million pounds of plastic. Last year, H-E-B’s recycling efforts saved the equivalent of 10 million trees, one million barrels of oil and enough energy to power more than 68,000 homes for an entire year.
