Australian First – Belkin Launches Products Made From 72% Post-Consumer Recycled Plastics And Plastic-Free Packaging

Australia also leads the way in helping Belkin achieve a 56% year-on-year reduction in plastic use in packaging globally since 2019 

In the lead up to Earth Day, Belkin demonstrates its commitment to sustainability with the latest report showing it is on track to become carbon neutral in scope 1 and scope 2 emissions by 2025

LOS ANGELES and TUGGERAH, NSW – April 18, 2023 – Belkin, a leading consumer electronics brand for 40 years, has today announced the Australian availability of its first products made from at least 72% post-consumer recycled plastics (PCR). Australia is the very first country to make these products available to consumers, as Belkin transitions some of its most popular products to PCR while also delivering them in new, plastic-free packaging. It is the latest in a wide range of sustainability initiatives being undertaken by Belkin, which today also shared the results of its 2022 Sustainability Report, reinforcing its goal to become carbon neutral in scope 1 and scope 2 emissions by 2025.

First announced at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in January this year, this deliberate and methodical decision to transition product materials to PCR takes plastic waste from consumers and repurposes it to create new products, giving new life to plastic that would be otherwise destined for landfill, and reducing its dependence on virgin plastics. It comes after more than two years of extensive product development and will initially consist of the Connect USB-C® to 4-Port USB-C Hub (AVC018), BoostCharge 30W USBC Car Charger (CCA004) and BoostCharge Power Bank 10K (BPB011).

Moving forward, Belkin’s commitment to transition to using PCR across its range is expected to significantly advance the efficiency of the post-consumer recycled plastics industry globally, ultimately benefiting those in the broader consumer electronics industry that will follow Belkin’s lead in the future. 

From an aesthetic, quality and engineering perspective, there will be little difference between existing Belkin products and Belkin PCR products. Consumers will be able to decipher the new PCR products by clear callouts on the packaging and product pages online such as: “Made with Recycled Plastic Products” and “100% Plastic Free Packaging”. For this new PCR portfolio, Belkin additionally continues to explore new solutions and to conscientiously verify the science behind how Belkin can further reduce its impact on the planet while not compromising on quality. PCR material was sourced from reputable resin vendors and selected and tested by Belkin's design assurance team.

“When we think about the difference a company of our size and influence can make on the planet, moving away from using virgin plastics in our products is an obvious decision, and I’m delighted that Australia is the first to launch these milestone products. My recent trip to Australia to mark our 40th anniversary showed me the genuine passion that our team, our retail partners and our consumers have for practical but sustainable options,” said Steve Malony, CEO, Belkin. 

“I am proud to work alongside the teams that made this shared vision a reality. Their dedication to doing the right thing inspires me and together, we will continue to work towards a more sustainable future.” 

In addition to the ongoing transition of products to PCR, Belkin Australia has also played a key role in the significant overall reduction in plastics used in packaging by Belkin globally. Its work as a signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) and commitment to its 2025 targets has seen Belkin globally develop packaging that significantly reduces plastic use while increasing the amount of recyclable content and compostable materials. This has been reflected in the latest APCO Performance Summary Annual Report for 2023, with Belkin ANZ scoring 80% and named the overall leader in performance across the 2022 calendar year.

The result is a 56% year-on-year decrease in plastic use since 2019 in packaging globally, with many products now delivered in packaging using more than 90% recyclable materials. This includes Belkin’s Magnetic Face Tracking Mount, SOUNDFORM Immerse Noise Cancelling Earbuds and Belkin’s BoostCharge Pro MagSafe range.

While today’s announcement and Belkin’s broader packaging improvements are perhaps the most visible to its consumers, Belkin is undertaking a wide range of initiatives across its global business to introduce a more responsible way to build its products and become fully carbon neutral by 2030, including to become 100% carbon neutral in scope 1 & 2 emissions by 2025. Its commitment to reviewing all areas of the business can be seen in today’s release of its 2022 Sustainability Report, which has included:

• Achieving over 65% reduction in greenhouse gas footprint since 2009 levels
• Achieving 35% carbon neutrality in operations since 2020
• Recycling of 26,524 tons of electrical and electronic devices, as well as 9,972 tons of packaging to reduce its carbon footprint on a much larger scale since 2009.
• Renewable Energy Credits from a wind farm to offset 100% of its U.S. warehouse facility's power consumption and is improving its materials sourcing and usage to ensure operations are done ethically and efficiently.

"While we take pride in our achievements and sustainability efforts over the past four decades, we're always looking ahead, setting new goals, and reaching for higher standards. Our organisation is made up of people who want to leave the planet a better place for our children and future generations. We remain forever and authentically passionate about renewing our commitment to a circular economy and carbon neutrality and continuing our pledge to support the Paris Agreement." said Steve Malony.

Press kit can be found at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/s7ht201pn57ksg5/AAAuwkXJYloeKWaU_h09lwwca?dl=0 

To download the Belkin 2022 Sustainability Report – https://www.belkin.com/company/sustainability/ 

Full letter from Belkin CEO Steve Malony to Belkin Team for Earth Month 2023 - https://www.belkin.com/bp-earth-month-2023.html 

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About Belkin And Sustainability

Announced at CES 2023, Belkin’s commitment to finding more responsible ways to build products will continue seeing its most popular wireless chargers, power banks, wall chargers, car chargers and more becoming available in PCR and plastic-free packaging throughout the year. In a deliberate and methodical decision to repurpose materials destined for landfill, Belkin designed its new products with the highest possible percentage of PCR without sacrificing quality or safety, equaling that of the virgin plastic counterparts. Belkin’s rigorous testing processes remain the same, regardless of material. For more information on Belkin Sustainability, visit: https://www.belkin.com/company/sustainability/.

About Belkin

Belkin is an accessories market leader delivering power, protection, productivity, connectivity, audio, security, and home automation solutions for a broad range of consumer electronics and enterprise environments. Designed in Southern California and sold in more than 100 countries around the world, Belkin has been a market leader and innovator for 40 years, creating products that empower people to get more life out of every single day whether at home, at work or on a new adventure. In 2018 Belkin International merged with Foxconn Interconnect Technology to bolster its global influence while continuing to uphold its deeply rooted commitment to sustainability. Belkin is forever inspired by people and the planet we live on.