Whole Foods Reveals Sustainable Packaging Changes on Whole Body Line

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April 12, 2011

Constantly challenged to provide packaging that is responsible, performs well and looks attractive, Whole Foods Market said it has made packaging changes to its private label body care line, making it even more sustainable.

In a podcast posted to the blog, Jim McConnel, store supplies and services specialist for the Rocky Mountain region and co-chair of the Whole Foods Market Responsible Packaging Task Force said the company’s focus is on paper, cardboard, plastic and glass products made from recycled content (as high as available and preferably post-consumer sourced).”

Other priorities include packaging that is recyclable or compostable in a municipal facility or is reusable at home. “For paper products, sustainable forestry certifications are also important.”

The following changes are being made to Whole Body care packaging:

• The 365 Everyday Value brand, lotion, hair care, hand sanitizers and foaming soap are currently in 50 percent PCR plastic. All body care and supplement bottles are transitioning to 100 percent PCR plastic, and shipping cases are 30 percent PCR cardboard.
• The Whole Foods brand features supplements in 100 percent PCR plastic with boxes transitioning to 100 percent recycled paperboard. Its organic castile soaps are in 50 percent PCR bottles, while organic bar soap packaging uses 30 percent PCR paper.

“PCR is a very important component to consider when choosing products,” Whole Foods wrote on its blog. “PCR or post-consumer recycled content offers a viable recovery of used materials that are collected from recycling programs the public participates in. These materials would most likely end up in a landfill if not recycled.”

Nearly one-third of all municipal solid waste in the U.S. is packaging, according to EPA data quoted on the blog. “One ton of recycled paper saves approximately 4,100 KWH of energy and 7,000 gallons of water; it prevents more than 60lbs of air pollution and saves 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space and approximately 17 trees versus virgin fiber,” the company wrote on the blog.

PCR content PET plastic requires approximately 84 percent less energy to produce than it takes to make virgin plastic from fossil fuels, according to Whole Foods.

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