Pioneering a Plastic-Free Future: A Fresh Take on Sustainable Packaging

A photo of Goodwash Soap’s sustainable packaging © Justin Dadswell Photography

Pioneering a Plastic-Free Future: A Fresh Take on Sustainable Packaging

Plastic plays an undeniable role in simplifying our day-to-day lives, from ordering takeout to grabbing a water bottle when you’re on the go. However, these valuable uses do not outweigh the severe environmental, social, economic, and health consequences of our single-use plastic dependency.

Plastic waste is one of the most pressing problems of our time, with Canadians reportedly throwing away over three million tonnes of plastic waste every year. While about nine per cent is recycled, the rest ends up in landfills, waste-to-energy facilities, or the environment. Plastic waste and marine litter burden our economy and threaten the health of the environment, including wildlife, rivers, lakes, and oceans—our planet is drowning in plastic!

But it’s not just plastic—all types of single-use packaging contribute to this environmental crisis. Even materials considered more sustainable, like aluminum or glass, have an environmental impact when used in single-use forms. The sheer volume of throwaway packaging adds up quickly, and consumers are often left to figure out the best way to dispose of it. Enter Goodwash Soap, a bold Ontario-based start-up looking to change the game. Founded in 2023, Goodwash Soap is dedicated to helping eliminate single-use packaging waste in Canada. The company offers high-quality, responsibly packaged bath and body products that are gentle on your skin and safe for the planet.

The thing fuelling our society-wide addiction to single-use packaging is how accessible it is. To tackle this, Goodwash Soap designs its products and packaging specifically for reuse, making sustainable choices as easy as grabbing a single-use option. A proud member of the Circular Innovation Council, Goodwash Soap takes circularity seriously—that’s why their innovative packaging return and reuse program is convenient, cost-effective, and designed with sustainability in mind.

MAKING REUSE THE NEW NORM

When Goodwash Soap founder Susana Farrell noticed that most everyday products were still packaged for single use, with little thought given to the waste they left behind, she knew it was time for change. Driven to offer a better alternative, she launched Goodwash Soap to deliver premium quality products with truly sustainable packaging. At Goodwash Soap, we’re redefining packaging by designing for reuse from the start,” said Farrell. “Our mission is to make sustainable choices simpler, keeping materials in circulation and offering a real alternative to single-use waste.”

Their bath and body essentials come in reusable and refillable aluminum packaging—an eco-conscious choice since aluminum can be washed and reused time and time again. But Goodwash Soap doesn’t stop there: their unique business model includes taking back empty packaging from both consumers and retailers, cleaning it, refilling it, and returning it to store shelves as a new product. This circular approach keeps materials in use and out of landfills, a win-win for our environment and for consumers.

Here’s how it works: after using your product, simply return the empty packaging by mail or at one of the in-store collection points. For mail returns, customers can visit Goodwash Soap’s website to print a pre-paid shipping label and then drop off their empties at any Canada Post location. It’s that easy! By returning the packaging, you’re helping keep valuable materials like aluminum in circulation for as long as possible, supporting a more sustainable future as a result.

Ready to make the switch to a more sustainable personal care routine? Visit goodwashsoap.ca to learn more about their innovative products and packaging return program.