Packaging

As we know, sustainability and environmental responsibility is becoming even more important to consumers. Brands are actively looking for ways to reduce their packaging waste. Refillable packaging seems to be the cheapest alternative to reaching sustainability goals. Check out who is on board.

Building a Brand Around Refillable Bottles

Blueland is a direct-to-consumer cleaning supply company that rejects single-use plastics. According to the company’s manifesto on their website, “Our mission is simple: make it easy to be eco with innovative products in reusable packaging that are convenient, effective and affordable.”

Consumers only need to get the bottles once, so refills are cheaper than many of their competitors that use single-use plastics. For example, hand soap refills are each $2 or less, making them eco AND wallet-friendly.

National Brands are On Board tooIt’s not just startups that are jumping on the refillable packaging trend. Unilever’s Love Beauty and Planet sells reusable aluminum shampoo and conditioner bottles at Target. Procter and Gamble-owned Secret has begun selling refillable anti-perspirant bottles as well.

What about food?

Even food and beverage brands are experimenting with refillable packaging. One example is Haagen-Dazs. It is piloting a partnership with a packaging provider named Loop. Loop will provide ecommerce consumers with a reusable stainless steel ice cream canister. This program is a modern spin on the old fashioned milk man, as consumers send their containers back to the company to be refilled with their favorite ice cream.

Refillable packaging is one of the most interesting options that CPG brands have right now for plastic waste reduction. Since it is a low-cost option to meet the standards for sustainability that consumers want, we are expecting to see many more brands roll out their own refillable packaging in the months and years to come.