16 Jul Make Haste to Minimise Waste
Plastic Free July is upon us and at Product of the Year, we’re reflecting on the clever eco solutions brands have launched that have impressed us the most…
With the rise of refillable services like LOOP and local corner shops offering ‘bring your own tupperware’ options for customers, people are becoming wise to the ways of cutting down on waste. Product of the Year 2020 winner Cif Ecorefill is a product range that has challenged the norms of its category and provided a no-waste option. One of the most groundbreaking products in the cleaning scene to emerge over recent years is the household brand Method. Its shower sprays have become synonymous with sparkling bathrooms leaving not a watermark in sight. But it’s the brand’s refillable packaging options and recycled packaging (made from pre-used bottles) that win marks in this arena. And we couldn’t talk about eco cleaning products without mentioning Ecover – an early adopter of environmentally friendly products and still leading the way.
Natural, alternative materials are key to the fight against climate change. Bamboo is one of the wonder materials of our times. It’s durable, cheap and fully biodegradable. That’s why Cheeky Panda chose to make its Cheeky Panda Bamboo Baby Wipes out of the natural stuff! Product of the Year voters rated this and gave them the stamp of approval in 2019. Toilet paper contributes to huge amounts of waste every year. Who Gives A Crap, the highly popular toilet paper subscription service, is an eco-dream. The paper-packaged recycled toilet paper made waves in the industry when it first launched. Double points go to the brand for not using any virgin tree products, inks, dyes or scents. Mainstream toilet paper brands, such as Andrex and Cushelle, are finding ways to be more sustainable with reducing, replacing and recycling their packaging.
Some of the world’s biggest brands are making huge efforts to tackle waste. Pringles has been busy making some of its products recyclable, working in collaboration with the recycling scheme TerraCycle so now we can eat our crisps guilt-free. In similar style, Doritos STAX range launched last year with fully recyclable packaging. And for those who like to make to leave the house prepared– Black + Blum’s stainless-steel lunchboxes are practical, eco and chic. Chilly’s refillable bottles have been providing stylish reusable bottle options in a variety of colours, for a while now too.
The drinks industry is also doing its bit! Brands such as Absolut and Carlsberg are in the process of creating a paper bottle prototype, with the aim to make a fully bio-based bottle in the future. These companies, along with the likes of Coca-Cola, L’Oreal and Paboco, are bottling the future, leaving plastics behind! Beauty brands have gone one step further with the invention of the natural shampoo bar. Garnier Shampoo Bars are a great solution.
So, there you have it. There are plenty of options to kick start your Plastic Free July. Make it count!
Photo by mali maeder from Pexels