WALKING THE WALK Small changes can all add up to a sustainable future.
Sustainable sourcing, recyclability, biodegradability and plastic free solutions are all hot topics in the current environment. In the most recent Colmar Brunton Better Futures Survey* the No. 1 concern for New Zealanders was the build-up of plastic waste in the environment and 88% of Kiwis surveyed believe biodegradability is important. Potential new regulations are looming, including Mandatory Product Stewardship where retailers and suppliers will be held accountable for packaging from as early as 2020. The NZ plastic packaging declaration pledges to use 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging by 2025. “Manufacturers need to take these trends into account and work to improve the environmental performance of their products. This can be a large undertaking and requires a significant amount of investigation, resource and maybe even progression of company values,” says Chair of the Soft Plastics Recycling Scheme and Cottonsoft Marketing Manager, Malcolm Everts. Cottonsoft has just undertaken two such challenges, breaking new ground in launching NZ made plastic free water wipes for babies, and now EarthSmart 360° toilet tissue with Recyclable Paper packaging. The EarthSmart Aquawipes project has taken almost three years to create premium quality biodegradable product, while paper packaging has taken six months of intensive trial and development to commercialise. “When challenges look insurmountable, the best thing to do is just START,” says Cottonsoft Country Manager Kim Calvert. “It’s fair to say changing packaging from plastic to paper created significant challenges, especially
while commissioning a new factory at the same time, so plenty of coffee helps! We always had strong ambitions to lead change in this space, and are committed to providing consumers a range of NZ made alternatives to plastic baby wipes and plastic packaging that could only be recycled overseas,” says Calvert. “Consumers are actively seeking to buy certified products so they have peace of mind they are making the right social and environmental choice. For example, ECNZ (Environmental Choice New Zealand) licensing and PEFC (Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification) are excellent options for paper products, covering both environmental AND ethical sourcing criteria. All Cottonsoft tissue is PEFC certified plus brands such as Tuffy and CottonSofts also carry ECNZ certification. Cottonsoft is also a proud foundation sponsor and advocate for soft plastic recycling in New Zealand.” “In addition to certification, Paseo premium toilet tissue is made with pure pulp and rapidly renewable fibre,” explains Everts. “We harvest every six years and replant within a year, so it’s a good environmental choice”. He adds: “Every little bit of change that a company can make to reduce waste, increase recyclability or sustainably source products will help us look after our planet for future generations – even if it’s just ensuring grounds from the office coffee machine go to compost rather than landfill. So please, if you are thinking about change but finding it challenging – START. Even if it’s not perfect, you make progress and can course correct as you learn more. It’s better than doing nothing.”
“WHEN CHALLENGES LOOK INSURMOUNTABLE, THE BEST THING TO DO IS JUST START.” KIM CALVERT, COTTONSOFT COUNTRY MANAGER
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FMCG BUSINESS - SUMMER 2019/20
*Source Colmar Brunton better Futures Survey 2019
