Andrex has announced that its plastic packaging is to feature 30% recycled content, in a bid to reduce its environmental footprint.
The leading toilet tissue brand, famous for its puppy adverts, also aims to reach at least 50% recycled content in its packaging by 2023.
Andrex’s new packaging features 30% recycled plastic content, made from post-consumer resin. It will be used on their Classic Clean packs, which are expected to be available at all major retailers this month.
The company says that the switch will remove 481 tonnes of virgin plastic material over the next 12 months – equivalent to more than 48 million 500ml plastic bottles.
“At Andrex, we are committed to improving the sustainability of our products and packaging,” said Ori Ben Shai, vice president and managing director of Kimberly-Clark UK, which owns Andrex.
“The launch of the new 30% recycled plastic packaging forms part of our wider ambition to leave a greener ‘pawprint’ on the planet.
“Beyond this, we aim to have at least 50% recycled plastic content in our packaging by 2023, and we will continue to look for more sustainable alternatives that reduce our environmental footprint, without compromising on the quality of our products that our customers know and love.”
Andrex’s move comes as the UK moves towards a minimum percentage of recycled content in plastic packaging.
From April 2022, all plastic packaging produced in or imported into the UK containing less than 30% recycled plastic will be subject to a new plastic packaging tax.
The government plans to publish draft legislation for consultation in 2020, setting out the key features of the tax, which includes a proposed tax rate of £200 per tonne.
One UK packaging company that is already ahead of the game is Polybags Ltd, which has already begun to convert some stock lines to have a minimum of 30% recycled content, whilst updating its online catalogue to highlight products containing recycled content.
The Greenford company has led the way in the UK eco-packaging market in recent years, manufacturing a range of products made entirely from recycled materials, including mailing bags, clear packing bags and waste sacks.
Now, as part of their drive to promote eco-packaging, the company’s online catalogue will also alert customers when the products they are viewing contain a minimum of 30%, 50%, 60% or 100% recycled content.
Polybags customers can also expect to see other eco-friendly packaging features highlighted, including packaging made from compostable, biodegradable, renewable or recyclable materials.
Image courtesy of Kimberly-Clark UK.
