From left to right: Hannaford Supermarkets Community Relations Specialist Brian Fabre; Nandkissore; Living Resources CEO Fred Erlich; Hannaford Supermarkets Director of Operations for the Albany Region Dennis Martin; and CLYNK CEO Clayton Kyle.
CLYNK ambassadors demonstrate how to use the new bottle redemption service.
Innovative service makes it easier and more convenient than ever for shoppers to recycle bottles and cans
Charitable program allows customers to donate funds to local non-profits and community organizations
LATHAM, New York – Hannaford Supermarkets today launched a new initiative for its New York stores, in partnership with the innovative bottle redemption company CLYNK. The recycling service provides an easy means for shoppers to redeem bottles and cans while creating new opportunities for charitable fundraising through ongoing, virtual bottle drives.
CLYNK is available at the Hannaford Supermarket & Pharmacy at 579 Troy-Schenectady Road in Latham and will expand throughout upstate New York in the coming months to additional Hannaford stores, including locations in Troy, Rotterdam, Glenville and Colonie in the near future. The initiative follows a successful partnership between CLYNK and Hannaford at the grocer’s Maine stores.
Officials from Hannaford Supermarkets and CLYNK gathered at Hannaford’s store in Latham to describe the new recycling and bottle redemption service and demonstrate its ease of use for customers.
“All of us at Hannaford are thrilled to bring CLYNK to New York. Since its arrival at our Maine stores, Hannaford shoppers have redeemed more than 600 million containers through CLYNK,” said Hannaford Supermarkets Director of Operations for the Albany Region Dennis Martin. “The expansion of this partnership with a company that shares our values of sustainability highlights our commitment in moving Hannaford stores toward zero waste and keeping our communities clean.”
CLYNK is the only bottle redemption service that allows users to create a personal account, accumulate a balance, and use the funds at their discretion – cash, store purchases or charitable donations. When customers register for the service, they receive 10 free, customized bags in which to collect their recyclable bottles and cans. (Subsequent bags are available for a small fee that covers their cost.)
The bags are dropped off at any CLYNK redemption center located inside a Hannaford, whenever the store is open. Customers do not need to manually sort through their bottles and cans or wait for a receipt. Each bag is labeled with a sticker that identifies the individual’s account linked to that bag.
After dropping the bags off at the store, CLYNK processes the recyclables and adds the value of the New York redeemables to the individual’s electronic account within two business days. To collect funds, customers print a payment slip from the in-store CLYNK kiosk and may use the money to buy groceries or receive cash at the customer service desk or register.
CLYNK also provides users with the ability to give back to local community organizations through its charitable program. The initiative makes it possible for customers to direct their funds electronically to a school, club or charitable organization of their choice that has been registered as a Hannaford Community Cash partner. Additionally, Hannaford Community Cash partners can hold ongoing “virtual bottle drives” to raise funds for their group by supplying CLYNK bags to their supporters.
“Our goal at CLYNK has always been to make recycling easier for everyone, and expanding into New York is a true milestone for our organization in living out our mission. CLYNK would not be the successful operation it is today without the vision and support of Hannaford Supermarkets,” said CLYNK CEO Clayton Kyle. “We know Hannaford shoppers in New York will appreciate the ease and convenience of using CLYNK’s unique ‘drop and go’ service as much as they will enjoy being able to track their environmental impact and ability to give back to local charities through CLYNK’s Hannaford Community Cash program.”
The first Hannaford Community Cash partner to register in New York is Living Resources, a non-profit organization which serves individuals with a broad range of intellectual and developmental disabilities. Living Resources jump-started the fundraising campaign by hosting a bottle drive at its headquarters in Albany leading up to the launch of CLYNK in New York.
“We are excited to be the first non-profit in New York to sign up for this creative and convenient fundraising program with CLYNK, which provides an easy and effective way for shoppers to support their favorite cause while promoting environmentally-responsible habits,” said Living Resources CEO Fred Erlich. “On behalf of all of us at Living Resources, we would like to encourage Capital Region residents to utilize this new service and make a meaningful impact on the community.”
Additionally, as an extension of the partnership, colorful artwork created by Living Resources consumer Nadine Nandkissore, a participant in the agency’s prestigious arts program, will be displayed on the side of CLYNK’s first New York truck. The truck, which showcases a colorful forest painted in the Fauvist-style, was unveiled at the Latham store.
Schools, booster groups, charities and any organization seeking to raise funds can register as a Hannaford Community Cash partner online at CLYNK.com or by phone at 1-866-228-8454.
Individuals can register with CLYNK in-person at the CLYNK kiosk at participating Hannaford Supermarkets locations or online at CLYNK.com. CLYNK Brand Ambassadors will also hold in-store events to assist shoppers in registering for the service.
About Hannaford Supermarkets
Hannaford Supermarkets, based in Scarborough, Maine, operates 188 stores in the Northeast. Stores are located in Maine, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Hannaford employs more than 27,000 associates. Additional information can be found at www.hannaford.com.
About CLYNK
CLYNK is a Maine company that started in 2006, with a mission to make recycling easier for everyone. CLYNK transforms redeemable bottles and cans into environmental and social action and is the only bottle redemption system that allows customers to create a personal account, accumulate a balance and use their money at their discretion. CLYNK operates in Maine and New York. To learn more visit www.clynk.com.