Packaging the problem
What kind of packaging does P&G utilize in their product lines? How does this waste get disposed of? How can we improve upon their waste streams? By understanding the product line of P&G and how it is translated to consumer usage, one can better engineer the industry to one day be zero-waste.
What kind of packaging does p&g Use?
P&G has a host of packaging types with plastic being one of the main sources of residual waste. A majority of their products are made of the recyclable Plastic #2, HDPE and the not recyclable Plastic #5, PP. One of the largest barriers to transitioning to a zero-waste product stream is the issue of sanitation. Most of P&G's products are in the home goods and cleaning category so they require durable packaging to prevent water infiltration.
What is p&g doing to close the loop?
P&G has partnered wit Loop, a company that facilitates a zero waste recycling and product cleaning framework to create a circular economy. Some of their most popular brands such as Tide, Gillette, Cascade, and Crest have joined the initiative. Consumers can order products that come in a durable aluminum packaging and can then be returned to be cleaned by Loop and refilled via UPS.
Terracycle, the company that founded Loop, gives consumers the opportunity to mail hard-to-recycle products for points that can be donated to charity, schools or non-profits. The company is similar to Loop in that the products are transported via mailing systems. This helps solve the issue of waste generated in plastic types #3-7.
drawbacks to current framework
Loop and Terracycle work within the field of sustainability to facilitate behavioral changes to consumer waste which is a large step for corporate sustainability. Although these are monumentous steps towards reshaping our waste streams, these companies operate on a very small scale with only a fraction of P&G's customer base participating in these programs. If P&G hopes to become a leader in sustainable brand management, they require more education on packaging recyclability and product design to create an almost zero waste economy.
What can p&g do create a zero-waste world?
Innovative Packaging Design
Home Cleaning Products (Dawn, Swiffer)
Cleaning products have long been stagnant in terms of packaging design. Pumps used in soap dispensers are largely not recyclable as they utilize many different types of plastic. Sponges are made from plastics that cannot be recycled and are thrown out after very few uses. Home Cleaning products are often marketed to create an easy and enjoyable experience but are often very wasteful because of the proliferation of single-use items. Changing the packaging infrastructure to emphasize reusing of products instead of single use can dramatically change P&G's waste stream.
Fully Biodegradable Cleaning Products
Introducing cleaning utensils such as sponges and wands to Dawns cleaning product line that are completely biodegradable will dramatically reduce plastic waste from sponges and create a completely waste free experience. This product can be marketed towards very eco-friendly cleaners.
Dawn Stationary Dispensers
Replacing plastic pumps with recyclable aluminum pumps will eliminate the wasteful single use soap dispensers. The aluminum stationary pumps will facilitate refills and be a stationary fixture on users countertops. Customers can bring their reusable bottles to stores for refills of their favorite Dawn soaps while eliminating the need for constant plastic bottles.
Reusable Swiffer Pads
Creating premium Re-usable Swiffer pads will allow customers to reduce waste from single-use wipes. Many consumers currently created diy reusable rags for their Swiffer products. Introducing a premium reusable line will attract a new market of thrifty shoppers and enforce brand loyalty. The fitted wipes will also allow for precise cleaning capability.
Laundry Detergent and Pod Products (Tide, Cascade)
Laundry detergent bottles and pod products experience the same challenges as Home Cleaning products in that the bottle design uses many different types of plastic and is not fully recyclable. Because recyclability varies between cities it is crucial to have products that can be as easily recycled as possible. For products in the Laundry detergent and pod product lines this means tweaking the materials of products to the recycle-friendly plastic #1 and #2.
Tide Pod/ Cascade Pod Bags
Some Tide Pod and Cascade Pod bags are made of plastic #7 which is not recyclable. By eliminating the use of these bags and instead only selling the rigid, plastic containers made of plastic #1 (PET), P&G can create a circular waste stream cycle
Tide Bottle Nozzles
Large Tide laundry detergent bottles utilize a dispenser system that is made of multiple kinds of plastic and is not recyclable. Phasing out these bottles and replacing them to a pouring system will allow consumers to recycle the entire unit and eliminate recycling confusion
Tide/Cascade Clear Plastic Bottles
Tide Bottles are trademarked in a signature orange bottle but are recycled under the plastic #2 (HDPE) category. These bottles are recylcable but have limited secondary life cycle uses. Switching to clear plastic rigid bottles will allow for more avenues of post use life. To keep the signature orange branding, Tide can utilize natural orange dyes
Oral Care Products (OralB, Crest)
Oral care is yet another personal care line that can easily be transitioned into more sustainable products. Small changes towards the elimination of single-use plastics is an easy first step P&G can take towards a zero-waste product line. Most of Oral Care does require the buying of new products because of sanitary reasons, but there are ways to make the products easily recycled.
OralB Bamboo Toothbrushes
Standard OralB toothbrushes are made of many different types of plastic and thus cannot be recycled. To ammend this issue, P&G can introduce bamboo toothbrushes with thistles made of biodegradable materials. Although bamboo is difficult to compost, it will decompose at a faster rate than plastic.
Tide Bottle Nozzles
Introducing cleaning utensils such as sponges and wands to Dawns cleaning product line that are completely biodegradable will dramatically reduce plastic waste from sponges and create a completely waste free experience. This product can be marketed towards very eco-friendly cleaners.
Crest Single plastic toothpaste
Crest toothpaste bottles are made of a mix of aluminum and plastic which make them a tricky recyclable. Changing the dispensing style similar to a shampoo bottle with a nipple cap dispenser will allow the whole unit to be recycled instead of thrown away.
OralB Compostable Floss
OralB floss is made of nylon threads coated in wax which has to be thrown away. Alternatives to this style of flossing is using silk threads that can be composted. This prodcuts can be marketed towards consumers who yearn for a more eco-friendly flossing alternative.
Feminine Care Products (Always, Tampax)
Feminine Care is another personal care line that values sanitation very highly. The need for clean products and applicators makes this category difficult to transition to a more waste-free cycle but there are ways to facilitate such change. Although products will likely need to be single use- there are small ways to change packaging to make some if not all of the product more sustainable
Tampax Cardboard Applicators
Tampax applicators are generally made of a rigid plastic and only used once. Some users are very adamant about using applicators so introducing a line of cardboard applicators is the next best step. Although the cardboard cannot be recycled because of bodily fluids, it will biodegrade much quicker than rigid plastic.
Tampax Menstrual Cup Line
Women who are interested in a completely sustainable menstrual experience are turning towards menstrual cups which are wholly reusable. These products are much better for the environment and last longer than normal tampons. Introducing a line of menstrual cups will put Tampax on the eco-shopper market and create brand loyalty.
Always Organic Cotton Pads
Currently Always menstrual pads use a blend of plastic and cotton for their products which take years to degrade. By introducing a line of organic cotton menstrual pads, Always can again breach the eco-conscious shopping market and reduce their waste products.
Packaging infrastructure
Another avenue for P&G to stray away from the single-use manner of home products and move towards a more eco-friendly packaging schema is by facilitating a circular economy store. Bulk stores are prime examples of a circular economy store, but often are only utilized for extremely eco-friendly brands. P&G being a large corporation, has the means to breach this market by creating its own home-product line bulk stores. Such stores will sell exclusively P&G brands and encourage consumers to bring their own bottles to fill up on their favorite products. Such lines would work well with their liquid products such as Dawn, Tide, and Crest. These stores will give consumers the option to live a waste free lifestyle while also supporting the brands they know and trust
Packaging a more sustainable P&G
There are many ways P&G can adjust their packaging infrastructure to facilitate a more sustainable economy. Although it will take time to implement such strategies, it is possible. Many of the products on P&G's home lines are capable of facilitating a zero-waste economy by simply changing the materials utilized in their products. Sticking to concepts of one single material used in the whole package and education to consumers can make dramatic differences in creating a more sustainable world.