Welcome to our friends of the earth series #01

Illustration by @eshakespeare

To address the ever-pressing challenges we face in preserving biodiversity and fighting climate change its imperative that we look to product formulation and packaging as a whole system and look beyond category conventions to define ‘new’ sustainable norms.

As part of the ‘L’Oréal For the Future’ sustainability programme, Garnier have re-developed their Ultimate Blends shampoos to start the transition of big beauty brands to new product and packaging formats. The bars are packaged with 100% recyclable FSC- certified cardboard, with an impressive 94% plant-based ingredients, have 80% less packaging (compared to current plastic bottles) and use 70% less fossil energy for transportation compared to conventional shampoo.

The beauty is, through creativity and collaboration, there are many opportunities to design away from the waste and pollution associated with single use plastic packaging, and product formats.

A recent Quantis report sited data illustrating global customers and their choices being a major lever for industry action. With 78% seeking plastic free packaging and 75% seeking refillable and reusable packaging we will certainly begin to see a lot more of this in the months and years to come.

Further details of L’Oréal’s For the Future sustainability programme can be found here.

Illustration by @eshakespeare

We’re firm believers that true wellbeing starts from within and Mimi & Boo is built on ethical and inclusive values to guide good health. The growing supplement space presents an opportunity to rethink how we can maximise packaging resources to offer a considered delivery system and user experience. This start up look to address waste, give back to communities and offer full transparency, and their packaging system is addressing waste within this category head on.

The reusable supplement pots are a great solution to a high volume consumable good, where repeat purchases can form part of the product and packaging journey with a much lighter footprint compared to conventional formats.

Through a D2C model, Mimi & Boo are able to offer the initial glass packaging, which is refilled from repeat purchase compostable sachets, ensuring that considerably fewer materials are used, and distribution emissions are kept to an absolute minimum.

With national packaging targets setting standards around the world for industries to adhere to, building the optimal refill packaging system for a brand has never been more important.

Further details of Mimi & Boo can be found here.

Illustration by @eshakespeare

Colgate- Palmolive’s packaging strategy is really something to be admired.

“Packaging innovation is the key to achieving Colgate’s purpose of reimagining a healthier future and that our sustainability strategy needs to underpin all aspects of our packaging strategy.” Greg Corra, Director of Global Packaging Innovation & Sustainability.

Colgate-Palmolive are driven to create solutions that continually improve brand engagement all while uniting their regenerative values and vision for the future, no easy task.

What is most striking, is their systemic approach. Understanding how the product and packaging plays a role as an interface between the brand and user; understanding global recycling capabilities; forging their R&D, product developers, marketing, packaging engineers, brand designers to have a truly collaborative strategy is the driving force enabling them to create innovative product and packaging solutions.

Take their ‘Keep’ toothbrush. The product itself redesigned with an aluminum reusable base to extend the component’s use with the ability to replace the brush heads. The packaging, an all-fiber tub and lid, with 60% recycled content, moving away from plastic blister packs. Overall, the design will create 80% less plastic waste than conventional toothbrushes.

From mono material toothpaste tubes to open-source technology, Colgate-Palmolive are fast on track to repave packaging for personal care. Further details of exemplary sustainable packaging achievements to date can be found here.

Our Friends of the Earth thoughts are brought to you in collaboration with philo & co.

philo & co are a circular design consultancy helping creative agencies and brands transition to a circular economy. Pippa, the Founder of philo & co, is a Circulab certified circular design consultant and has more than 10 years’ experience within the creative industry working with global design agencies and leading FMCG brands.

Pippa brings a holistic view in solving the systemic challenges required to transition from linear to circular design by embedding regenerative thinking and practices into the heart of organisations. In 2020, she became a Climate Reality Leader following training by the Climate Reality Corps, led by Al Gore. When Pippa is not thinking of how to rid the world of waste, she is usually at the beach or enjoying a hearty meal (and wine) with friends.

Teamwork is dreamwork.