Joining other Kiwi-based businesses, Earthwise has pledged to support the New Zealand Plastic Packaging Declaration, making a commitment that 100% of its packaging is recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025 or earlier.

Owner and director of Earthwise, Jamie Peters, says the business is committed to reducing its use of virgin plastic in its packaging. “Making the pledge was easy for us because our bottles are already recyclable but given New Zealand’s current plastic packaging problem we know an effective solution must include more than just recycling. Kiwi companies need to take greater responsibility for the materials they are putting into the environment and we are working hard to ensure we are doing this.”

Jamie adds, “We’ve started with our 1L laundry liquid bottles and will include 75% recycled content into all bottles across our household cleaning range by mid-2019. But that’s just the first step. We’re also working on launching 100% recycled bottles across our personal care brands, Earthwise Nourish and Glow Lab.”

“You will notice a slight change in colour of our bottles as they become eco-friendlier,” he says.

Earthwise is also one of ten leading businesses backing a diagnostic study of New Zealand’s entire plastic packaging system. The study is being completed by the Sustainable Business Network’s Circular Economy Accelerator (CEA), and has widespread support from across the packaging sector. It will help identify what is needed for a circular economy approach to plastic.