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Dunkin' Brands plans foam cup recycling program

June 13, 2013

Dunkin' Brands Group Inc., parent company of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, published its second Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report this week, titled "Focused on Sustainable Solutions." The report offers a detailed review of Dunkin' Brands' current CSR initiatives, as well as key areas of focus for the future, such as product sourcing, packaging and energy efficiency.

The report also details the progress Dunkin' Brands has made against the goals outlined in its first CSR report, Serving Responsibly, issued in 2011.

Key highlights of the report include:

Packaging: Dunkin' Brands continues to search for a sustainable packaging solution to replace the Dunkin' Donuts foam cup. While there is currently no single-use hot beverage cup on the market that meets the brand's criteria for performance, cost and recyclability, Dunkin' Brands remains committed to solving this and other packaging issues. Dunkin' Brands piloted an in-store foam cup-recycling program in five of its company-operated stores in February 2013 and plans to roll this out to all company-operated stores later this year. The company also launched a formal hot and cold reusable cup program as an option for franchisees. Finally, Dunkin' Brands has announced plans to introduce a new, recyclable version of Baskin-Robbins' iconic pink spoon in early 2014.

Franchisee support in sustainability: In St. Petersburg, Fla., the company opened its second LEED Certified restaurant, which achieved Gold certification in August 2012. In addition, Dunkin' Brands has developed and launched "Power Down, Profit Up," a comprehensive energy efficiency toolkit designed to generate utility savings for its franchisees.

Nutrition: In 2012 Dunkin' Brands welcomed two new members to its Nutrition Advisory Board (NAB), comprised of health and nutrition experts who provide perspective on science, trends and legislation to enhance the quality of nutrition on menu items. In collaboration with the NAB, Dunkin' Brands continually reviews its menu portfolios for opportunities to improve the nutritional profile of its products. Both brands have specially focused menus, DDSMART and BRight Choices, respectively, that offer a full selection of food and beverages that meet a number of predetermined nutritional criteria.

Sustainable sourcing: Dunkin' Brands 2011 CSR report noted a commitment to complete feasibility research on sourcing cage-free eggs and gestation crate-free pork by 2013. In September 2012, Dunkin' Brands exceeded that goal by announcing that Dunkin' Donuts will transition 5 percent of the eggs in its breakfast sandwiches nationwide to cage-free by the end of 2013 and will eliminate gestation crates from its pork supply chain. Additionally, this spring select Dunkin' Donuts restaurants introduced Iced Green Tea, made with tea sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms.

Support for local communities: Founded in 2006, The Dunkin' Donuts & Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation (DDBRCF) serves neighborhoods through food for the hungry, safety and health initiatives. Together with Dunkin' Brands franchisees, The DDBRCF has donated $1.58 million to local charities such as food banks and children's hospitals throughout the past two years. Since 2006, the organization has awarded more than $4.4 million in grants to local charities.

"Focused on Sustainable Solutions is an appropriate title for our second CSR Report, as we are committed to finding sustainable solutions that benefit our employees, our franchisees, our communities and our planet," said Karen Raskopf, Dunkin' Brands' chief communications officer and co-chair of the DDBRCF. "We are proud of our achievements ... while recognizing that there remains much more for us to do. This report represents our recent progress, the challenges ahead, and our pledge to continue to address the social and environmental issues that face our business."

Read more about sustainability initiatives.