Recycling experts have raised concerns that the popular BuzzBallz alcoholic beverage containers are unrecyclable due to their construction. The packaging consists of a plastic body fused with a metal lid, a combination that recycling facilities in the UK cannot process.
Adam Herriott, head of packaging at WRAP, explained that the mixed materials, while individually recyclable, create an unrecyclable format when combined. "No local authorities will accept these at the kerbside," Herriott stated. He added that if these containers reach sorting facilities, they could contaminate the plastic recycling stream due to the presence of metals, posing problems for recycling machinery.
BuzzBallz's UK mission statement, which has since been deleted, previously claimed the company "loves our planet as much as we love a good cocktail" and highlighted a partnership with TerraCycle to ensure its packaging was recycled. However, TerraCycle's program for BuzzBallz operates only in the United States. Previously deleted FAQs from BuzzBallz UK also stated that the packaging was recyclable "where local facilities allow," a claim experts refute.
The company BuzzBallz was founded by teacher Merrilee Kick and was acquired by the Sazerac Company in 2024. The Sazerac Company's CEO is Jake Wenz.