BuzzBallz are ‘greenwashing’ say recycling experts

BuzzBallz was founded by teacher Merrilee Kick but was acquired in 2024 by Sazerac Company, whose CEO is Jake Wenz.

BuzzBallz’s UK mission was deleted after the BBC contacted the company for this story, saying it “loves our planet as much as we love a good cocktail” and has partnered with TerraCycle to ensure its packaging is recycled.

But TerraCycle, which involves consumers collecting and recycling packaging, operates its BuzzBallz program only in the United States.

BuzzBallz’s now-deleted UK FAQ stated: “Yes, our packaging is recyclable. Please recycle your empties as local facilities allow.”

However, WRAP packaging manager Adam Herriott said no local facilities in the UK allowed BuzzBallz to be recycled.

“They are a mixture of two highly recyclable materials brought together to create a non-recyclable format.

“No local authority will accept these at the kerbside.

“If they go to a sorting plant, they can contaminate the plastic stream because of the metals there, and that can create a lot of problems for the plastic recyclers that are going into the machine.”

So why should people care if beverage packaging isn’t recyclable?