Anheuser-Busch Is Trading Free Beer For Your Used Masks And Gloves

The pandemic has felt exhausting in more ways than we could have ever imagined. One of the biggest lifestyle changes we have experienced came in the form of the relentless use of PPEs — masks, gloves, face shields, and more have come to dominate our lives every time we leave the house. These pieces of protective gear have gradually added up. According to the BBC, the items can do some serious ecological damage, and since so many don't get disposed of properly, we face damaging any ecosystem into which we dump the used gear.

Some businesses have stepped up and started acting to help prevent even more irreparable damage from improper disposal of these masks and gloves. According to a statement sent to Mashed, the craft beer section of Anheuser-Busch has teamed up with TerraCycle to promote the proper disposal of these PPEs by offering a "Pints for PPEs" promotion at select breweries. This event allows anyone to exchange used PPEs for gift cards or merchandise at participating locations during certain hours.

According to the statement, anyone can bring their used masks or gloves to participating locations across the country and dispose of their used gear in a TerraCycle Zero Waste Box. Once these boxes get filled, the contents will get cleaned, melted, and recycled into raw material used to make a variety of products.

According to Marcelo "Mika" Michaelis, president, Brewers Collective, Anheuser-Busch, "By partnering with TerraCycle, we are addressing the very time-sensitive issue of safely recycling our brewery PPE, while also creating a solution that supports the larger community." Sue Kauffman, TerraCycle's North American Public Relations Manager, added: "Through the launch of this recycling initiative, Anheuser-Busch's Brewers Collective is doing its part to tackle the growing impact of PPE waste in local communities and helping create a more sustainable world for future generations."

According to Johns Hopkins University, Americans used 45 million masks a day in 2020, many of which could not get recycled in traditional ways. This campaign is in step with Anheuser-Busch's current commitment to environmental stability in their business practices. The promotion starts today, with no end date listed, so there's time to make real change and properly recycle protective before it can end up as pollution. 

If you have searched for a new way you can make a positive impact on the earth, now's the time to make your move and recycle your masks and gloves if you live by a brewery taking part in the program. According to the statement, you can visit 10 Barrel Brewing Company, Appalachian Mountain Brewery, Blue Point Brewing Company, Breckenridge Brewery, Cisco Brewers, Devils Backbone Brewing Company, Elysian Brewing, Four Peaks Brewing Company, Golden Road Brewing, Goose Island Beer Company, Karbach Brewing Company, Platform Beer Co, Redhook Brewing, Veza Sur Brewing Company, Virtue Cider, Wicked Weed Brewing, Widmer Brothers Brewing, or Wynwood Brewing Company to participate.