Sustainable is Good Launches New Products Site

Today is an exciting day as we are launching a new site under the Sustainable is Good name focused exclusively on greener more eco-friendly products.  The new site is Sustainable is Good Products. 

By expanding into a new products site it allows us to focus our original site Sustainable is Good on sustainable innovations in packaging, design, marketing and branding and focus the new site solely on greener more eco-friendly products.

Sustainable is Good has seen tremendous growth since it went live just over a year ago.  Both sites will feature the original in-depth content our readers expect and enjoy.  We've become known for providing relevant coverage and interviews with product manufacturers, designers and companies - that will continue!

Sustainable is Good Products features a familiar site format and just like the original site will offer comprehensive archives, search functionality and as it grows a wealth of information of interest to a wide range of consumers, professionals and others.

McDonalds Restaurants Sustainable Packaging

McDonald's provided consumers an update on sustainable packaging enhancement they have been making and enacting worldwide.  The update was posted on the company's corporate social responsibility blog, Open for Discussion and features a Youtube video.

The video shows Jennifer McCracken from HAVI Global Solutions, a company that provides strategic supply chain services, including consumer packaging design and procurement for McDonald's.  McCraken discusses various changes to the paperboard packaging the company uses as well as the incorporation of post consumer recycled plastic in sundae cup for the Australian market.

Wine Retailers and Manufacturers Seek Lighter Packaging

Wine industry retailers, suppliers and manufacturers held a forum organized by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) in London to discuss problems with the limited supply of lightweight wine packaging.

Wine industry publication Decanter Magazine ran a piece on their web site on the forum which represented the first time the wine industry and its suppliers have come together in an organized industry forum to discuss the problem.

Decanter reported the forum focused on barriers to the introduction of lightweight bottles, supply and demand and levels of financial commitment to the issue by stake holders.

The WSTA's Kate Coleman told decanter.com various association members have approached the organization seeking more eco-friendly bottles.

While the forum was primarily focused on wine packaging solutions for the UK market it represents an important indicator of the priority eco-friendly packaging has with major wine manufacturers and suppliers.  The forum was attended by major wine producers and leading retailers.

Decanter reports no definitive solution was worked out at the meeting however all parties involved have agreed to make addressing the issue a top priority.

Gift Card Packaging Important to Consumers Survey Says

A recent industry survey showed consumers are more likely to purchase gift cards that come with additional packaging. 

While the news is good for the gift card industry the results are troubling from an environmental perspective. Increased packaging means increased use of resources primarily trees that produce much of the paperboard used for gift cards and packaging.

The 2008 Gift Card Packaging Study was conducted by The Marketing Workshop, and commissioned by Seastone a leading manufacturer of gift card packaging. 

The study found 84% of consumers would purchase a gift card if it came with free packaging.  In addition the study found 55% of consumers were more likely to purchase a gift card if additional packaging was available for purchase and that number increased to 62% if multiple packaging options were available. 

Murray's Chicken New Eco-friendly Packaging Eliminates Foam Tray

New York based Murray's Chicken announced an innovative new proprietary type of packaging for its fresh poultry products.  The more eco-friendly packaging is scheduled to debut to coincide with Earth Day, April 22.

Murray's becomes the first poultry company to eliminate the use of polystyrene foam trays which are a staple in pre-packaged fresh meat products in the U.S.  The non-recyclable #6 foam tray is commonly used in food packaged due to its low cost.  Millions of the trays end up in landfills each year in the U.S.

Murray's new form filled packaging was by developed by Reiser Equipment and printed by Winpack.  The freezer-safe packaging also features a proprietary leak-resistant seal - eliminating the need to wrap their meats in additional plastic shopping bags at checkout.

Noble Juice PLA Packaging

Noble Juice was the first premium juice company to use Natureworks PLA corn-based plastic for its packaging. 

In addition to the bottle Noble is also using Earthfirst PLA for the shrink sleeve label. 

The company debuted the PLA packaging back in September 2006 and thanks to distribution by Wal-Mart the company's juice products still represent the only PLA bottle packaging available to some consumers. 

In addition to Wal-Mart Noble juice is also carried by Publix, Kroger, Stop & Shop and Giant Eagle.  We were able to find Noble Juice at a local Wal-Mart store.

At the launch of the new packaging Noble Juice president Wade Groetsch said, “With NatureWorks polymer we are also stimulating the mind of our consumer by making our product available in an eco-friendly bottle made 100 percent from an annually renewable natural source.”

Method Le Scrub & Lil' Bowl Blu Arrive in Stores

San Francisco-based Method's two latest products are arriving in stores across the country this month.  Le Scrub and Lil' Bowl Blu mark the company's entrance into "deep cleaning" products and round out their line of bathroom products.

Featuring new distinctive packaging made from 25% recycled #2 HDPE plastic the products stand out on store shelves thanks to some clever and innovative design. 

The packaging was designed in house by Method's own design team and features a soft blue color to match the products spa inspired eucalyptus mint scent Method's Katie Molinari said. 

Le Scrub, a gentle abrasive cleaner gets its cleaning punch from finely milled marble contained in the product.  Le Scrub's packaging was designed to be highly functional with the top of the bottle serving as a storage place for the included microfiber cleaning pad.  Molinari said the bottle was designed to eliminate the all the too familiar problem of tossing a cleaning sponge under the sink after use and never finding it again.

First Alert Phases Out PVC Packaging, Moves to Recyclable PET Plastic for Product Packaging

First Alert, a leading manufacturer of home safety products, announced it is phasing out the use of PVC plastics in its packaging in favor of the more recyclable #1 PET plastic. The change affects packaging for First Alert's extensive line of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

"This change is a direct result of First Alert's commitment to environmental sustainability," said Debbie Hanson, director of external affairs for BRK Brands/First Alert. "We are evaluating all aspects of our business to identify opportunities to reduce waste and conserve resources. PET plastics are easily recyclable, much more so than our previous plastic packaging, which was one of the primary reasons we made the change."

First Alert smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are packaged in clear plastic "clamshells," a packaging style popular with consumers because it allows them to see products before purchasing. Plastic clamshell packaging is commonly used with software, electronics and a wide variety of other consumer products. First Alert made the decision to switch from clamshells produced with PVC (polyvinyl chloride) to those produced with PET (polyethylene terephthalate) to increase the likelihood that its product packaging will be recycled, rather than being destined for landfills.

Hanson added that First Alert has also decreased the overall size of its smoke and CO alarm packaging in an effort to reduce the amount of resources used to package the company’s popular alarm products.

Nordstrom Transitioning to Environmentally Friendly Shopping Bags and Boxes

Seattle-based Nordstrom announced that it will introduce new more eco-friendly packaging options for customers throughout 2008. Fully recyclable shopping bags and gift boxes and a reusable shopping tote will be available to customers as the year progresses.

Shopping Bags

The company's paper shopping bags will evolve to be 100 percent recyclable. Currently, the bags' propylene handles are not recyclable but new bags in the works will have sturdy cotton handles which are recyclable. The retailer will gradually roll out the new, recyclable bags from April through September as its supply of existing bags runs out.

Gift Boxes

Additionally, Nordstrom will transition to fully recyclable gift boxes. During the holiday season, the company will introduce new gift boxes made of 100 percent recycled paper stock that is 30 percent post-consumer waste. The silver foil on the current gift boxes will be converted to a matte silver ink, making them fully recyclable. Boxes will transition during October and November as the supply of existing boxes runs out.

Reusable Shopping Tote

Nordstrom also has a new fashionable reusable shopping tote.  The metallic brushed linen tote was launched on the West Coast on Friday and will gradually make its way to all Nordstrom stores.  The new bag features an illustration by Ruben Toledo of iconic U.S. landmarks, including the Space Needle, the Empire State Building and the Golden Gate Bridge.  Designed to zip into a small rectangle case (6 inches x 7 inches x 1 inch) for easy storage, it will be available in Nordstrom Accessories departments for $21.95.

"We know our customers care about the environment and this is an effort to serve them better and reduce our impact," said Erik Nordstrom, president of stores for Nordstrom. "We will continue to look for ways we can be a better corporate citizen."

Nordstrom, Inc. is one of the nation's leading fashion specialty retailers, with 157 stores located in 28 states.

Martha Stewart GreenPan

Martha Stewart's cookware collection at Macy's has added a line of GreenPan cookware.  The GreenPan cookware was previously only available in the US through the home shopping network HSN. 

GreenPan is a new type of non-stick cookware that uses a ceramic-based nano nonstick surface called Thermolon instead of the plastic synthetics commonly used to create the non-stick cooking surface.  The manufacturer claims GreenPan is a more environmentally friendly form of non-stick cookware.

See our previous coverage of GreenPan.