27 August 2020
By Kristina Noelle S. Andaya | Knowledge Processing Division (KPD) | DTI-Export Marketing Bureau
The world’s current problem in plastic waste is escalating. To help solve this problem, some brands and more consumers are limiting their consumption of single-use plastic items.
Companies are now looking for alternatives in their products’ packaging because some individuals are turning into minimalist and/or zero-waste kind of consumers. More socially aware customers are supporting and investing on brands that are conscious on being environment friendly.
Alcohol refilling station
In the Philippines, the ethyl alcohol brand Cleene collaborated with Mercury Drug and provided lower prices in the in-store ethyl alcohol-refilling stations in some of the drug store’s Metro Manila branches. Buyers would need to bring their own clean, empty alcohol bottles even from other brands that can contain liquids in 250ml, 500ml or 1-litre sizes for them to avail themselves of the refill.
The demand for ethyl alcohol when the COVID-pandemic hit caused more saturation of plastic containers in garbage dumps and landfills. Through this, Cleene and other companies thought of the refilling initiative to help buyers contribute to a zero-waste value chain.
Recycling of e-wastes
In Australia, Colgate and TerraCycle launched their first recycling program on electric toothbrushes. They call the project “Colgate Electric Toothbrush Recycling Program” which allows the consumers to send their used electric toothbrush bases and handles to TerraCycle for recycling.
TerraCycle will disassemble and separate the used e-toothbrushes into parts and they will shred and melt the plastic. These will be recycled into new items such as garden beds and park benches.
Shower cream refills
The dm-drogerie markt and Nivea tied-up to install shower cream-refill stations and avoid plastic wastes. They offer customers the opportunity to refill their NIVEA products in three dm stores (two in Hamburg and one in Karlsruhe) and in NIVEA stores.
Customers can refill their bottles up to three times. After the third time, consumers are asked to exchange bottles so they can be examined for quality and hygiene standards. In return, they will receive a new bottle and a refill free-of-charge. The refill stations are still on trial and will be available for 6-8 months from August 2020. If it will have a successful outcome, the project will take further steps and deploy the system elsewhere. These brands envision to promote a circular economy and create awareness of reusing and recycling to eliminate packaging waste.
Removing single-use plastics in school supplies’ packaging
In an effort to reduce 45 tons of plastic waste in one year, the French brand Carrefour has replaced the single-use plastic packaging to 100% recyclable cardboard packaging. They applied these changes to their school products and accessories, such as pens, markers, and rulers.
Consumers all over the world are adapting to waste-free lifestyles and most want to have more durable and reusable products. Also, brands from different sectors are constantly evolving their packaging processes and materials because of the consumer’s expectations and environmental concerns.
In Mintel’s 35-market consumer research study, 76% of French consumers try to act in a way that is not harmful to the environment [Source: Lightspeed/Mintel, July 2020, Base: 1,000 internet users aged 16+]. Also, 60% of Australians agree that using ethical or environment-friendly beauty/grooming products can make them feel good about themselves [Source: Dynata/Mintel, July 2019, Base: 1,000].
According to Mintel, more consumers are now choosing to apply in their daily lives more sustainable practices and this will be the brands cue to be more aware as they develop products and their packaging.
Companies who offer products with minimum waste or with less carbon footprint will gain more loyal eco-conscious consumers.
DTI-EMB releases market trends and researches through a digest from Mintel every week. You can read all issues of the Mintel Digest on DTI-EMB’s Tradeline website.