MIDDLETON, WIS. — Midwest dairy cooperative Foremost Farms USA revealed a sustainability-focused shipping solution it developed in collaboration with biosolutions company Novonesis.

Unveiled to coincide with America Recycles Day on Nov. 15, the reusable container system that the companies dubbed the culture bunker was designed to minimize waste and lower costs. Foremost Farms said each bunker can hold three times more cultures than previous containers. The company noted the new solution also significantly reduces the volume of packaging materials used.

Foremost Farms sources its frozen starter cultures for cheese from Novonesis. Those cultures used to get shipped in single-use food grade containers that could only recycled at select municipal facilities, the dairy manufacturer shared.

Novonesis and Foremost Farms then worked together to find a better option and designed the culture bunker. John Hoffman, senior supply chain director for Foremost Farms, said the partnership highlighted the cooperative’s dedication to sustainable practices and innovation.

“Novonesis, a key strategic supplier, has been instrumental in providing innovative solutions based on our needs,” Hoffman said. “Using reusable bunkers reduces our environmental impact and landfill contributions.”

After the bunkers containing the frozen starter cultures are unpacked at Foremost Farms, Novonesis collects the vessels, cleans them and uses them again.