Colgate-Palmolive has embraced a circular packaging approach with the launch of 100 per cent recycled plastic bottles for its Palmolive personal care product range in Australia and New Zealand.
The bottles are made from rHDPE and rPET, and blown in-house at the Colgate manufacturing site in Thailand as well as at various bottle suppliers, including Alpla Packaging (Thailand), T.C.K. International, Conimex, Rianthi Interplas, and Thai Plaspac.
Currently the pumps and closures are not made from the same recycled plastic material.
The packaging change has been communicated through the Australasian Recycling Labels on all Palmolive products sold in Australia and New Zealand.
The company says the shift to rPET and rHDPE across the product range will result in the elimination of over 1900 tonnes of virgin plastic per annum.
Advancing the company's commitment to a circular plastics economy and setting a clear standard for the industry in the region, this transition underscores a dedication to reducing its environmental footprint and aligns with the Colgate-Palmolive Sustainability Goal to eliminate one-third of new (virgin) plastics and ensure all plastic packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2025.
Colgate-Palmolive is accelerating its commitment to a circular plastics economy by increasing the use of recycled materials in its packaging, building on the fact that around 15 per cent of its range already contain at least 30 per cent recycled content.
"At Palmolive, our world centres around nature. It's big, meaningful projects like this that really let us demonstrate our respect for nature," said Kate Johnson, senior representative at Palmolive Australia.
"Implementing this project across our entire range helps us stay true to our brand purpose, and it’s this type of evolution that keeps our brand relevant."
Consumers will be able to find Palmolive products made from 100 per cent recycled plastic bottles at retailers nationwide across Australia and New Zealand from August 2024, across a six-month roll-out.
