SUSTAINABILITY REPORT: Delivering eco-friendly products and packaging

SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

Delivering eco-friendly products and packaging

When a nationally representative sample of Australian consumers were asked how they have reduced their environmental impact in the last 12 months, 43% said ‘used energy efficient appliances’ only behind ‘reducing plastic use’ (64%) and ‘opted for energy efficient lighting’ (44%), according to a recent Finder Consumer Sentiment Tracker.

Baby Boomers lead the charge for using energy efficient appliances (51%), ahead of Gen X (48%), Gen Y (40%) and Gen Z (28%), which likely reflects home ownership figures at these different life stages.

“There is a challenge for appliance brands to engage the younger audience with slightly less sexy but important environmental solutions to use less energy in the home, which is largely driven by appliances,” Finder’s Ben King told Appliance Retailer.

BETTER EFFICIENCY AND PERFORMANCE

Sustainability is a key factor in purchase considerations for appliances and consumer electronics, as people want to feel like they are making choices that keep the environment in mind, without sacrificing convenience.

Electrolux laundry appliances are designed to save water and energy, while protecting clothes. The SteamCare program uses steam – and up to 96% less water – to freshen clothes and remove wrinkles. A 1kg load using the SteamCare program saves 40 litres of water compared to a delicates program. The UltraWash program is a 59-minute cycle at 30 degrees Celsius that saves up to 30% energy compared to a Cotton program at 40 degrees. The Autodose system calculates the precise amount of detergent and softener for each load to avoid unnecessary waste.

MHIAA markets the award-winning Avanti Plus as one of the quietest and most energy efficient split systems available.

Electrolux refrigeration delivers best-in-class energy efficiency, maintaining the ideal temperature with TasteGuard technology and keeping produce fresher for longer with TasteLock crispers, which control humidity levels.

Miele has a responsibility to not only provide appliances that are better for the environment, but to protect the planet for future generations to come, Miele Australia and New Zealand managing director, Yves Dalcourt said.

“Consumers are extremely savvy and will be engaging with manufacturers that find the balance between people, profit and preserving our planet, rather than those that only provide a good energy rating on their product, which is only a small token of what Miele does,” he said.

Miele Australia and New Zealand marketing director, Michele Laghezza added, “Our responsibility doesn’t end at the factory, so we are focusing on educating and inspiring our customers to use our products in the right way. For example, eco programs on our washing machines and dishwashers. The technology is there but most people use the same program, so we want to empower them to explore their options.”

LG seeks to move beyond previous goals of limiting environmental impact, to how products can be used and improve the environment. One example is LG’s 2021 soundbar products which incorporate redesigned packaging, removing the need for Styrofoam, and the product itself was re-engineered to use a new recycled plastic resin for the outer case.

Glem GS965DOPX 90cm Bi Energy cooker with Doppio oven is an ideal choice for homes intending to go off-grid.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air Conditioners Australia (MHIAA) markets the award-winning Avanti Plus as one of the quietest and most energy efficient split systems available. An energy saving motion sensor automatically adjusts the set temperature based on detected human activity and switches off when no activity is detected. MHIAA’s new and improved heat exchanger has been developed to improve refrigerant distribution and increase the system’s effectiveness.

All BSH products are designed and engineered in Germany and are required to meet ambitious targets of the European energy label. While the same energy labels are not in Australia, BSH has chosen to only import products with the highest energy ratings, for example, heat pump dryers and front load washing machines.

BSH customers can also utilise intelligent software at home. The HomeConnect app provides customers with useful energy and water usage information. For example, if a customer always uses the Cotton program at 40 degrees, they can compare the energy and water consumption to another program. The app doesn’t link to an energy provider but can be used as a guide to make a more educated decision.

In 2022, Smeg will launch a collection of multi-tech major cooking appliances that reduce cooking time and power by combining traditional, microwave and steam technologies in one appliance. “There will be a 7-in-1 oven that will decrease cooking time by 71% so customers can cook a roast chicken in just 22 minutes,” Smeg Australia national product and procurement manager, Leon Wolf said.

“Smeg’s 2021 range of induction cooktops introduced a new feature called EcoLogic which allows the power level to be reduced, designed for people off the grid with a solar household and certain kilowatt draw for the home, or those wanting to switch from gas to induction without re-wiring their home.”

Product servicing is a key feature and marketing asset for Jura.

Glem Gas gas cookers can operate completely off-grid and the Australian developed Bi-Energy cookers offer the option of using gas or electricity. “The 2021 cooker range uses more efficient burners that are smaller in diameter compared to previous models to reduce the loss of heat around the edges of cookware,” Glem Gas managing director, David Gilmore said.

Multi-functional appliances are at the core of the Magimix product portfolio which means customers don’t need to purchase a range of appliances that only perform one task. The Cook Expert can replace up to 15 appliances. Designed to last for a lifetime with Sabatier steel blades for enhanced performance and longevity and bowls made of Plexiglass – the same material used for airplane windows – instead of plastic.

All Magimix accessories fit on multiple machines and conversion kits are available for customers who want to replace the bowls. The product software is constantly updated and can be downloaded free of charge allowing access to the same software, regardless of purchase date.

Jura has been producing coffee machines with energy efficiency standards for many years. “The energy consumption used when idle or on standby has dropped to almost zero. Jura is one of very few brands to only produce coffee machines that use freshly ground coffee, offering a range of benefits beyond reducing waste, such as flavour and taste, and the freedom to choose preferred coffee type,” Jura Australia managing director, George Liakatos said.

iRobot Roomba robot vacuums only draw power when charging and to ensure uninterrupted Wi-Fi connectivity. Even if plugged in all day, Roomba consumes less energy than the typical upright vacuum cleaner. Select Roomba models are up to 90% recyclable.

Nespresso machines are designed to not use more energy than required and since 2009, have featured a switch for standby mode. “Nespresso machines are now 95% recyclable, and the goal is to achieve 100% in the near future. The machine range also contains more recycled material with the Vertuo Next made of 54% recycled material,” Nespresso Australia head of strategic projects and sustainability, Marta Fernandes said.

The Vornado DC range uses 80% less energy than the AC equivalent products thanks to simple variable speed control for precise airflow. Vornado's Air Circulators can be used to move around cool air in summer, warm air in winter and fresh air in spring and autumn, reducing the need for more than one unit in the home. Vornado also focuses on its five-year replacement warranty.

The BSH HomeConnect app provides customers with useful energy and water usage information.

Olimpia Splendid Unico portable air conditioners feature eco-friendly modes, so the unit runs at a lower fan speed and quieter noise level. Wi- Fi is also being incorporated into more products.

Almost all (95%) Groupe SEB electrical appliances are mostly repairable and 79% are totally repairable with a 10-year repairability warranty logo on product packaging.

REMOVAL OF EPS AND PLASTIC IN PACKAGING

Electrolux and Wastepro are looking at forming a partnership to establish a packaging covenant where all product packaging that enters Australia is measured, as well as the products manufactured at Dudley Park. Electrolux would offset the recycling of that packaging material to ensure zero landfill. With responsible and clearly measured waste streams, Electrolux can establish a net zero against its contribution to packaging in Australia. This is a similar concept to the practice of purchasing carbon credits to offset power consumption. Electrolux is also moving towards removing EPS from packaging within the next three years.

Smeg has removed EPS foam packaging from small appliances and plastic has been replaced with recycled paper and cardboard, where possible. The reduction of EPS foam packaging is also underway for Smeg major appliances.

Since 2009, Belkin has reduced at least 20% of single use plastic packaging and in one product alone, reduced 24 metric tonnes of plastic by changing the design from a plastic tray to a paper tray. Belkin aims to reduce its single use plastic by 25% by 2025 and use 30% recycled content on all plastic packaging, as well as incorporate FSC certified paper for all NPI projects moving forward.

Groupe SEB has a full eco-packaging policy in place, in which by 2023, the company will use zero expanded polystyrene, 90% of recycled cardboard, and zero plastic packaging. iRobot’s products are shipped in recycled, corrugated cardboard and product packaging is 98% paper-based (by weight) and recyclable.

All Nespresso machine packaging is made of 100% recyclable cardboard. Nespresso coffee capsules are being converted to recycled aluminium, which started in 2020, and the quantity of aluminium used in making a capsule has also been reduced.

Olimpia Splendid uses green packaging with sustainable materials and processes.