ABC Bakers Eliminates Traditional Carton to Save Tons in Paperboard

Eliminating the paperboard carton will produce total energy savings equal to 35,000 gallons of fuel based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Waste Reduction Model.

1/26/2011 --- It’s Girl Scout Cookie time, and this year’s sale demonstrates thinking outside the box literally.

In a pilot program, "Thanks-A-Lot" Girl Scout Cookies, a shortbread layered with fudge and embossed with "Thank You" in five different languages, will be packaged only in its film-overwrapped tray, discarding the use of the traditional paperboard carton.

Even though the cookies come in a different container, each package has the same number of cookies found in the traditional paperboard box, and the film-overwrapped tray keeps them fresh. Both the film and tray are recyclable. In addition, the packaging change saves energy.

“Eliminating the paperboard carton will produce total energy savings equal to 35,000 gallons of fuel based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Waste Reduction Model. ABC Bakers is pleased to offer this innovation and proud of our efforts to serve the Girl Scouts and their supporters, to save resources and to be good stewards of the environment,” said Selena Sanderson, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Interbake Foods.

Environmental sensitivity is in line with Girl Scout values. Additionally, the organization has traditionally emphasized the important learning aspects involved in the cookie sale where participation helps girls of all ages develop skills in goal setting, decision making, business ethics, working with others and money management. “The world and the economy are changing. Girls want to play a larger role in both. The Girl Scout Cookie Sale provides important leadership experiences in earning, saving and investing money. This gives girls basic skills that will allow them to succeed in both their personal and professional lives,” says Sanderson.

The once-a-year Girl Scout Cookie Sale is the world’s largest girl-led business. Local Girl Scout Councils retain the net proceeds from all sales in their area. These funds support a wide range of activities, including special events and projects, and camp maintenance and improvement. In some cases, revenues provide financial aid to make Girl Scouting available to all girls.

This year, the Girl Scout Cookie Sale will feature some of ABC Bakers’ most popular creations: Thin Mints, Shortbreads, Thanks-A-Lot, Shout Outs!, Lemonades, Peanut Butter Patties, Caramel deLites and Peanut Butter Sandwiches. When you purchase a package of Thanks-A-Lot, Girl Scouts take the opportunity to show their appreciation. Each cookie is embossed with the phrase “Thank You” in five different languages: English, French, Spanish, Swahili and Chinese.