Belkin, a leading consumer electronics brand for 40 years, creates products that make people's lives easier, better and more fulfilling through the power of technology. Recently, Belkin has made a thoughtful and methodical decision to collect post-consumer plastic waste and reuse it to create new products. Belkin is committed to bringing new products to market that are responsibly developed while also revising its existing high-volume product portfolio.folio from a sustainability perspective, using PCR plastics, eliminating plastics from product packaging altogether, or reducing packaging sizes. Belkin now uses 17% PCR plastics in 72 of its most popular products without compromising quality, durability, or safety. And it’s continuing to do so.
Belkin is the winner of the 2023 Sustainability Awards
Company Business Intelligence Group named Belkin the winner of the project Sustainability Awards for 2023 in the Sustainability Initiative of the Year category, recognizing Belkin's transition to recycled PCR. The Sustainability Awards recognize people, teams and organizations that have made sustainability an integral part of their business practice or overall mission.
“Since our Sustainability Department was established in 2008, we have made significant progress in measuring our emissions and implementing actions to drastically reduce them within our direct control. We are committed to continuing our efforts to reduce emissions across all aspects of our business and to significantly impact them,” said Ernie Roberts, Senior Manager of Sustainability at Belkin. “Our commitment to human-inspired design and quality influences everything we do, from user testing and the prototyping process to regulatory compliance, manufacturing and warranty programs. In addition to achieving business success through the sale of our products in the global marketplace, our core focus remains on research and development, community, education and sustainability. We believe we want to make a difference in the lives of our customers and communities.”chat "The world is a better place, and we remain forever inspired by the people and planet we live on."
Quick facts
Belkin has made the decision to manufacture product cases and covers from Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) materials and to use plastic-free packaging. PCR materials take plastics originally headed for landfills and give them new life. It is one of the significant steps Belkin has taken to promote a circular economy and reduce dependence on the primary production of primary plastics. With this change, Belkin has reduced CO2 (eq) emissions from product packaging by up to 67%, preventing the release of approximately 7 metric tons* of CO000 (eq) emissions into the environment.
PCR (post-consumer recycled plastic)
PCR means that once the product is ready for disposal by the consumer, instead of ending up in landfill, its plastic is recycled into pellets where it can be used again. Recycled pellets are often mixed with virgin plastic to maintain the primary quality. Belkin is transitioning to using 72-75% recycled material in the product case or cover for some of its best-selling products and new innovations.
Same quality, same design, but better for the planet
Belkin has decided to switch to PCR. It thus contributes to a circular economy with a higher positive impact on reducing emissions. Belkin uses 72-75% (and not 100%) PCR materials because they did not want to compromise product quality requirements. Belkin has made it their mission to ensure that this new plastic maintains the same look, feel and superior performance that customers have come to expect.
Post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic is best suited for Belkin product cases
The inclusion of PCR has resulted in a reduction in CO2 emissions. PCR miniminimizes the use of natural raw materials and reuses waste that would otherwise end up in landfills. Belkin uses verified and authentic materials and verifies authenticity at the source. The structural integrity of PCR plastics is equivalent to that of virgin plastic, so the quality and performance of Belkin products are no different.
Belkin is removing plastic from its outer packaging
Typically, Belkin packaging uses a combination of FSC paper and cardboard*, along with a smaller amount of RPET plastic. Belkin already uses 100% recycled PET (RPET) where possible, exceeding the goal of including at least 30% RPET in packaging when using plastics. Belkin is working hard to develop a new outer packaging design that is strong enough to perform its function without the use of plastic, and is transitioning to outer packaging 100% plastic-free wherever possible.
“We are a global leader in accessories that the world is watching, and it is clear to me that our business success can only be as viable as our commitment to our people, the communities we serve and our planet. When I think about the impact a company of our size and impact can have on the planet, the decisions we make as an organization are obvious. I'm proud of our commitment to finding a more responsible way to make Belkin products. Our commitment to doing the right thing inspires me and together we will continue to work towards a more sustainable future,” Steve Malony, CEO of Belkin
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