Today I have some very exciting news to share with you!
As Chief Marketing Officer, it’s my responsibility to help ensure that Norwex truly walks the talk of environmental responsibility. To that end, my colleagues and I strive to make the very best use of Norwex resources, both internally within the company as well as externally through our manufacturing, packaging and shipping vendors.
As a bit of background, until now the Norwex Household product line packaging has been created exclusively from HDPE #2 plastic. While this is a good option—it’s sturdy, lightweight and completely recyclable—we can do better.
Today I’m pleased to announce that Norwex has joined forces with a new packaging partner to launch an even more sustainable option for 12-ounce bottles of our cleaning products.
Going forward, Norwex Customers will begin to notice a sticker on these bottles indicating that they are made from 25% OceanBound Plastic!
OceanBound plastic is created from existing plastic waste that’s at risk of entering the world’s oceans. This is plastic that for whatever reason has fallen outside normal collection processes and is in danger of becoming a part of the 8 million tons of discarded plastic that is estimated to flow into our oceans every year.
Here’s an alarming video snippet from Haiti showing just how bad this problem can get.
Why are we using 25% OceanBound plastic (and not a higher percentage?) Great question! After thorough testing and vetting, 25% recycled plastic was determined to yield the best results with our enzyme-based products. Of course, as packaging technology continues to develop, Norwex will likewise continue to provide forward-thinking, environmentally sound solutions that work for our customers as well as our planet. In fact, our ultimate goal is to eventually eliminate all virgin plastic from our Household product packaging.
Obviously, I’m really proud to be a part of a company that’s committed to being not just the best in the world, but the best for it too. My hope is that this new packaging will raise awareness about the issue of ocean plastic and inspire Norwex Consultants and Customers alike to continue making those small, conscious choices that result in a big difference for everyone.
We’d love to hear your thoughts about our new OceanBound Plastic for Norwex Household cleaning products! Please share them with our readers below.Resources:
Is there any hopes or plans to move away from plastic altogether? For example, what about refillable containers (glass, or metal) that can be returned to Norwex to be used again? I love that Norwex is dedicated to making a difference wherever they can, but as a consultant, some of my potential customers are aiming more for a no-waste lifestyle, and it’s hard to get them on board with Norwex when there is still so much plastic in use.
Thank You Norwex, I love the way you take the initiative to use as much of the waste plastic as possible for now, and I believe that you will be doing more as soon as studies sustain the products.
This is a great point.
I would also love to see bulk options for refill purposes.
I’m so happy to hear this! I love that you are taking the initiative to be better about packaging. I already appreciate how the cloths come in just a small cardboard sleeve. I’m sure you have thought of this before, but I would be happy to participate in a reusing program where you send the packaging back after it is empty (ex. Cleaning paste) and you reuse it for another customer. Thank you for all you do!
This idea is awesome! How about getting rid of those plastic air bags that come in our orders. Those to me are unnecessary.
I only ever get paper as a filler. I’ve not gotten plastic air bags. Maybe you’re confusing Amazon with Norwex packaging? If not, I hope they stop using that, too.
This is another great step in helping our natural world. When Norwex was using the air pillows as packing material, I was so glad to see that they were made from corn. Wish we still used them instead of all that paper. What about the trees?????
Janet, thank you so much for your comment. For Norwex orders that are shipped from our U.S. Home Office, the paper we use as void fill is 100% recycled from previously consumed paper products. Using this recycled (and recyclable!) paper is more sustainable than the air pillows we previously used, which were plastic with an additive that rendered them both biodegradable and recyclable. Additionally, our corrugated shipping boxes are made with 25% recycled materials. (A recycled content of higher than 25% weakens the integrity of the box.) All virgin corrugated materials used in our boxes are sourced from trees grown on tree farms.
So glad to hear that the paper is both recycled and recyclable (we’ve been recycling it ever since Norwex started to use it). Another point for Norwex!!
Fabulous idea Norwex, so proud to be a part of this company! As a side, we save and use our paper that comes with the packaging, to wrap presents. Sometimes I can even convince the kids to colour pictures on it, to make the wrapping that much more unique! We also use it, during those artistic creative times, under the table to protect it.
Thank you Norwex for caring as much a you do and for always thinking outside the box!
That’s fantastic! Congratulations on always looking to improve on things and making a difference. Please keep going! I’d love to see the Body Pack come in a paper sleeve. Wash cloths at department stores aren’t in plastic, so Norwex shouldn’t need to either. Thank you for always improving.
This is just another reason why I LOVE this company. I am proud to use Norwex products and to represent the company to others. Thank you Norwex for always exceeding our expectations and working tirelessly to create products that are good for the environment, yet durable and wonderful to use.
I was wondering how long it will be before the Norwex ultimate goal to eliminate all virgin plastic from the Household product packaging? Who would be able to give more information regarding this goal?
Great question, thanks Lia! Norwex is continually searching for alternatives to virgin-plastic packaging that offer the same great qualities of being lightweight, affordable, easy to ship and that work well to contain our enzyme-based products. Our new OceanBound plastic is a giant step in the right direction. As we take further steps, we will proudly keep you posted.
As a new Norwex consultant I find it extremely encouraging that I am part of a company that not only cares about the environment, but also works to make it a better place. I can’t wait to learn more about being involved in this opportunity to better ourselves and the planet.
You are a great advisor.Thanks for advising cleaning up our oceans one plastic bottle at a time these simple tools.Excellent post.I want to thank you for this informative read;I really appreciate sharing this great post.
The publicity about the pollution caused by plastic straws has caused many jurisdictions to pass regulations/laws prohibiting restaurants from issuing plastic straws with beverages. As quickly as that idea caught on, a ban on plastic bottles should be at least as widely embraced and result in a significant reduction in pollution by plastic bottles in just a couple of years. After all, beverage manufacturers used to reward return of glass bottles with a small financial refund for the return of each bottle; many small dairies are beginning to bottle milk and cream in glass returnable bottles. I would expect returnable glass bottles with a small monetary reward for each bottle returned to become a popular alternative to plastic containers.
This is pretty amazing!
I’m so happy to hear all the wonderful things Norwex does to save our planet!
How do we recycle the Norwex bottles such as descaler etc.?
Tina, thanks for your question. Norwex bottles are completely recyclable in most municipal facilities. Simply rinse the bottle and place it in your recycle bin. As a reminder when it’s time to reorder, you can now choose to order replacement products without the spray nozzle, mini trigger or pull cap they normally come with. Just be to sure keep the one that came with the original bottle.
I learned about the fact that some Norwex bottles were made from ocean bound plastic today during the National Conference and wanted to learn more about them.
Why not just get rid of plastic all together?
It’s nice to see a company who cares about how there product and distribution affects the world we live in.
It is wonderful to see a company devoted to improving the environment. Even down to the packaging. It is so important to think start to finish when thinking about the creation and implementation of a product of any kind. How it will affect the environment!
I love to hear that Norwex is always trying to improve on these details. Every piece of plastic matters. I hope we can find a way to move away from all petroleum based plastics.
I am so glad to be a part of a company who works to help keep our oceans clean!
I think plastic is here to stay and Norwex has found a way to create useful, long lived products from recycled waste plastic that are not only very functional but also educational. What I tell customers is that by using these products they are helping make use of such wretched waste but also, in so opting to use Norwex in their homes, they are also reducing the use of chemicals. It raises a consumer awareness about shopping habits as a side benefit