packaging SUGAR PLASTIC AND RECYCLED PACKAGING

Ecostore has recently launched its new 3X Concentrates Laundry Liquid, the new packaging design centred around the brand’s commitment to sustainability and reducing its environmental impact.

The new design contained 55 percent less plastic and water than the brand’s regular laundry liquids. APCO (Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation) approved both pump and bottle, making the new product fully recyclable while maintaining and delivering a powerful performance.

With the new design of the three pumps method, the laundry concentrate makes it easy application without mess. CEO of Ecostore, Pablo Kraus, stated that the new smaller and more convenient bottle saves shelf space at home and in the supermarket all while providing the same number of washes as the brand’s larger mainstream products.

“Our new design aligns with our brand purpose. A world where safe, sustainable, ethical products are the norm,” shared Kraus.

Kraus stated that Ecostore’s packaging design choices are centred around the company’s planet-before-profit philosophy.

Ecostore’s packaging design choices are aligned with the company’s incentive to prioritise sustainability, safety, and simplicity, which has been an ongoing theme of Ecostore’s intention with its products since 1993.

Kraus revealed that the brand’s plastic bottles are created with a mix of sugar plastic, a material the company transitioned to in 2014, which he said was before the increased trend of utilising locally sourced plastic. The brand’s new 3X Concentrates Laundry Liquid also reflects this environmental consciousness.

“We are committed to using renewable, recyclable, and refillable packaging for our products whilst eliminating as much unnecessary packaging as possible.”

Certified by the Forest Steward Council, the cardboard packaging of the laundry liquid was created to promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world’s forests.

Kraus shared that the company uses sugar plastic instead of petrochemicals to capture CO2 from the atmosphere rather than release it. Secondly, the Ecostore incorporation of recycled materials creates a circular economy, reducing the need for new plastic.

Ecostore’s combination of plastic made from sugar and recycled materials has enabled the brand to create durable bottles which require less energy and resources for production and minimise the amount of plastic in our environment.

Kraus revealed that Ecostore had saved over 7,676 tonnes of carbon from being released into the atmosphere, the equivalent of driving a car from Cape Reinga to Bluff 14,610 times.

“Our sugar plastic bottles are 100 percent recyclable through kerbside collection and can be remade into new bottles. And whilst recycling is excellent, refilling is an even better option which ecostore offers in many supermarkets and stores across Aotearoa.” Furthermore, Ecostore utilises minimalist designs that are simple, clear, and easy for consumers to understand to reflect the brand’s transparency about what is contained in its products to support consumers in making informed decisions when purchasing.

Kraus shared that Ecostore also provides and encourages consumers to refill their used products, with the company having over 90 refill stations around New Zealand.

Ecostore’s commitment to sustainability and the environment has earned the company certifications from Toitū Net Carbonzero and Enviro-Mark Diamond, which the Kraus stated set the company apart.

In addition to the 3X Concentrates Laundry Liquids’ eco-friendly packaging, design, and easy application, Kraus shared that Ecostore was proud to use gentle plant-based ingredients on fabrics while removing dirt and stains.

“Our formula is free from harsh chemicals like phosphates, synthetic dyes, and optical brighteners, making it a safer and more sustainable choice for customers and the environment.”

As B Corp-certified organisation, Kraus shared that Ecostore was one of the first companies to go carbon-neutral in Australasia. The company have installed solar panels on the roof of its Auckland manufacturing facility, generating enough energy to power the site and feed surplus electricity back into the grid. The company sources locally wherever possible and uses various techniques to reduce energy usage in its manufacturing process.

Furthermore, the company offsets its carbon emissions by using renewable energy and being involved with native forest programs. As well as this, the company has established its Plastic Return Program, which remakes its empty packaging bottles, reducing the new for new plastic production.

In its first year, the Plastic Return Program collected 4,600 kilograms of plastic, equivalent to around 83,600 500-millilitre dishwashing liquid bottles. Of this plastic, 72 percent has been recycled into new bottles, and the remaining 28 percent will be sorted, cleaned, and reground.

The company’s refill stations have meant that Ecostore has saved the equivalent of 275,693 1-litre containers in 2019 and has continued to expand its refill locations into its global markets.

“We constantly seek new ways to minimise our environmental impact and improve sustainability across all business areas.”

Kraus revealed that the company aims to reach carbon negativity by 2025, which it plans to achieve by reducing its carbon footprint across production and distribution, investing in renewable energy sources, and offsetting any remaining emissions through carbon credits.

The CEO said that Ecostore believed that education about sustainability was imperative to creating a sustainable future and would continue to be a critical part of the company’s mission.

“Businesses have a responsibility to prioritise sustainability. By adopting sustainable practices, businesses have the potential to drive growth and engage with consumers who are looking for companies to take a more proactive stance on environmental issues.”

Kraus emphasised that sustainability was something that both businesses and consumers needed to work together on, as addressing the challenges of environmentalism will create new opportunities for growth and profitability while taking care of the planet.

“We are proud to be leaders in sustainable business practices, and we hope to inspire other companies to join us on this journey.”