Packaging
Conscience cleaning washing powder in Eco tubs
Monday 28. April 2008 - The EU Eco-labelled washing powder from Aquados guarantees efficient washing with far less harm to the environment. Even the tubs are now made of 100% post consumer waste recycled and recyclable materials
Last year, Aquados Simply Laundry detergents were the first to be awarded the prestigious EU Eco-label – a symbol that can only be used on products which have undergone stringent testing in a number of categories. But Aquados do not rest on their laurels. Instead, the company continues to search for new ways to make their products even more environmentally friendly.
“Since launching our products we have tried to identify a more eco-friendly packaging solution for our products. We have tested a number of potential solutions including alternative raw materials, but these containers did not live up to our quality requirements,” says Operations Director Alex Thompson from Aquados. He continues:
“The right solution emerged through our cooperation with packaging manufacturer Superfos. Now, our eco-smart washing powder can be sold in a tub made from 100% post consumer waste plastic. The tub is still 100% recyclable and possesses the same air-tight quality and long shelf life that we are used to.”
Untapped eco-potentials
The new washing powder tub is the first container based on Superfos award winning UniPak EcoTM design. According to recent carbon footprint calculations, use of post consumer raw material in packaging reduces the CO2 emissions by 20% and recycling of containers reduces the CO2 emissions by 74%.
“Though we have achieved a 20% saving through our use of post consume material, we still miss out on a real carbon saving potential because of the lack of British recycling systems, which is unfortunately due to an absence of collection points for PP in the UK, despite it being one of the most readily recyclable plastics available. Alex Thompson points out.
However, the Eco-labelled, Eco-smart washing powder is still the most carbon reducing product of its kind and is available on the shelves in supermarket chains such as Waitrose, Sainsburys, Morrisons and Coop.