Tim Hortons testing returnable packaging in Burlington

Returnable food packaging is coming to some Burlington Tim Hortons locations in an effort to reduce waste.

A partnership between the subsidiary of recycling company TerraCycle and food storage company Tupperware is bringing the reusable packaging to local restaurants.

TerraCycle's waste-free packaging company Loop joined with Tim Hortons' parent company Restaurant Brands International in 2020 to give customers the option of paying a deposit for reusable and returnable packaging. Also in 2020, Tupperware joined with Loop to create packaging for Loop's circular recycling system.

Tupperware announced in a media release Monday the new reusable packaging for Tim Hortons will be tested at select Burlington locations.

The new containers will be available to customers of the Canadian coffee shop for food menu items as part of the Loop reuse program. The release doesn't specify if or when reusable packaging will be available for Tim Hortons beverages.

Loop hopes to make more reusable packaging available to its brand partners in 2022.

Jeremy Kemeny is a Hamilton-based web editor at The Spectator. Reach him via email: jkemeny@thespec.com