The Recycling Partnership, Falls Church, Va., a national nonprofit committed to improving curbside residential recycling, announced that White Plains, N.Y.-based Heineken USA is the first alcohol company member, effective immediately, to join its program. As a leading sponsor, the brewer will provide industry expertise to help improve consumer education, elevate the quality of curbside recycling and drive increased recovery of recyclable glass in communities nationwide, the companies say.

“Welcoming Heineken USA to our strong network of partners and sponsors will accelerate our efforts to improve the recycling infrastructure and address glass recycling opportunities,” said Keefe Harrison, executive director of The Recycling Partnership, in a statement. “The company brings specific expertise that we believe will help amplify the reach of our recycling programs. We are eager to welcome the team at Heineken USA into our diverse and dedicated group of funding partners.”

Heineken USA has a long-standing dedication to sustainability, it says. The company’s Brewing a Better World program focuses on issues including CO2 emissions reduction, community partnerships and sustainable sourcing. The company says that it knows improving curbside recycling significantly reduces impacts on the environment and leads to healthier and more sustainable communities, it adds. Increased recycling in the Recycling Partnership’s first six grantee communities translates to a 10-year savings of 485,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions.

The Recycling Partnership works to improve recycling in communities across the country. “Our programs create lasting and measurable value,” Harrison said. “Currently, our work is reaching 71 communities, which represents over 1.2 million households. Our model is scalable and with each new member, our reach expands.”

Tara Rush, chief corporate relations officer of Heineken USA added: “We want to ensure that our products are consumed responsibly throughout their entire lifecycle, and that includes the consistent and efficient recycling of our bottles and cans. Educating consumers and working with communities to support recycling is critical to our Brewing a Better World strategy, and we are confident that our collaboration with The Recycling Partnership will help us to create a positive and lasting impact on the environment.”