Subaru Loves the Earth Recycling Program Expands

Subaru of America, Inc.'s Subaru Loves the Earth initiative recently achieved the recycling milestone of diverting more than 2 million pieces of waste from landfills. Now, the automaker is bringing its robust recycling program in-store to REI retailers nationwide. Employing the TerraCycle Zero Waste Box platform that Subaru retailers across the country have used to encourage recycling, the automaker will leverage these boxes to support REI's 2019 #OptOutside initiative. This year, REI is taking its annual anti-Black Friday effort one step further and asking employees, customers and partners like Subaru to "opt to act."

As of October 23, Subaru has provided a co-branded TerraCycle collection box to all REI stores, offering a convenient way for REI members and customers to recycle snack wrappers accumulated from outdoor activities. Commonly thought of as hard to recycle, the collected waste streams will be turned into useful, high-quality recycled products (such as park benches, picnic tables and playground materials) and donated to Subaru community partners.

"Here at Subaru, we realize that along with our shared love of the great outdoors and all of the enjoyment it brings, it also comes with the responsibility of keeping our communities clean, not only for ourselves but for future generations," said Alan Bethke, senior vice president of marketing for Subaru of America, Inc. in a statement. "We are thrilled to welcome REI stores into our Subaru Loves the Earth program, joining our motivated network of environmentally conscious retailers across the country who have already shown great initiative in our quest to keep the outdoors beautiful and make the world a better place, one piece of recycled material at a time."

To kick off the program, Subaru will host several one-day upcycling collection drives at select REI stores, leading up to #OptOutside on November 29. Upcycling is the practice of creating a useable product from waste or unwanted items or adapting an existing product in some way to add value. Consumers are invited to bring used snack wrappers and unwanted recreational equipment they wish to recycle, including tents, yoga mats, yoga blocks, bike tubes, bike tires, grips and reusable beverage bottles. In appreciation, participants can receive a gift, while supplies last.

The automaker's partnership with REI for #OptOutside 2019 is a part of Subaru Loves the Earth, the environmental-focused initiative of the Subaru Love Promise philanthropic vision.