In conjunction with America Recycles Day on November 15, Sunbury, Pa.-based Weis Markets announced a storewide commitment to use 100 percent recyclable modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) meat trays for its fresh meat products. Weis partnered exclusively with Clearly Clean Products, an Orwigsburg, Pa.-based packaging supplier that specializes in custom thermoformed packaging, to develop the industry’s first closed-loop recyclable meat tray.

Weis already introduced the new meat packaging in its 162 stores for its kabobs and ground sausage, but plans to extend the packaging to its ground beef products in early 2013. The company said it will be evaluating further expansion across other meat products throughout the year. The new recycled trays are made from 80 percent recycled #1 plastic and can be recycled easily by customers after use. The patented Peel-A-Tray packaging eventually will replace more than 11 tons of non-recyclable air-sealed and polypropylene #5 trays on which Weis Markets’ fresh meat products were wrapped previously.

“This new packaging program underscores Weis Markets’ strong commitment to adopting sustainable practices to minimize our impact on the environment,” said Patti Olenick, sustainability manager for Weis Markets. “We are continually increasing our conservation efforts, providing recycling opportunities for both our associates and customers, and evaluating our store designs to meet with our standards for environmental leadership and stewardship. We strive to lead by example, helping to make a significant difference in our communities.”

The recyclable trays are part of a much larger sustainability program at Weis Markets to help reduce the company’s carbon footprint. In addition to implementing in-store programs, Weis said it partners with the U.S. Environmental and Protection Agency (EPA) in its SmartWay Transport Program to assess the environmental and energy efficiency of its vehicle fleet and is a member of the EPA’s GreenChill program, which monitors refrigerant usage to help reduce the overall environmental impact on the ozone layer and climate change. The company is also a member of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program, an internationally recognized green building certification system.