Showing posts with label recycled products. Show all posts
Showing posts with label recycled products. Show all posts

Sunday, December 11, 2011

It's Like Boxed Wine, But For Laundry Detergent

Spotted the new Seventh Generation EcoLogic laundry detergent bottles at Harris Teeter the other day:
Seventh Generation, the nation's leading brand of non-toxic household and personal care products, introduces a cutting-edge advancement in the art of sustainable product packaging -- a new liquid laundry detergent bottle made from 100 percent recycled cardboard and newspaper.

Seventh Generation's Natural 4X Laundry Detergent bottle, designed with its partners at Ecologic Brands, is unlike any other packaging currently found in the laundry aisle -- or any other aisle, for that matter. It features a rugged, fully-recyclable and even compostable outer shell made from 70 percent recycled cardboard fibers and 30 percent old newspaper fibers that supports a recyclable lightweight plastic pouch inside. By using 66 percent less plastic than typical 100 ounce 2X detergent bottles, the new container allows consumers to conserve effortlessly.
When it's empty, the outer cardboard & paper shell, #4 plastic pouch and the #5 cap can all be recycled. Makes you wonder why the pouches in boxed wine aren't recyclable like the boxes themselves.

It's a good reminder that recycling in your home is just one half of the equation. It's just as important to buy products made from recycled material to demonstrate there's a market for recycled material. And at the same time, products made from recycled material keep waste out of landfills, save energy, and reduce pollution.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Greening Your Garbage Bags

Buying products made from recycled materials is just as important as recycling itself. It helps communities get a good price for their recyclable materials and gives business an incentive to keep the cycle going.

I noticed Harris Teeter has apparently discontinued their Naturals trash bags made from recycled plastic, so I went online looking for an alternative. Amazon carries PrideGreen bags, which are not only made with recycled plastic, but contain an additive that helps them biodegrade faster. And at a price as low as 18 cents a bag (with free shipping), they're competitive with bags made from freshly-drilled petroleum.