In 2019, consumers want transparency. With subjects like global warming and plastic consumption at the forefront of public concern, no longer can brands advertise their products without the reassurance of sustainable sourcing, recyclable packaging and the clean labelling to prove it.
Sustainability is an issue that can no longer be ignored. It is the trend that has evolved into a movement, a movement that will see a serious shake-up for the health and beauty industry, and will be the driving force behind the future of consumer products and of our world.
A shake-up, however, is easier said than done. According to Mintel, there is currently more concern amongst consumers than there is noticeable change from businesses. Brand audiences are aware of the effects of the products they buy; how it effects their mental health, their microbiome, the environment. Now they are demanding positive change from manufacturers. Smaller, niche companies are using an eco-friendly stance to their advantage, so it is only natural, and inevitable, for bigger businesses to follow suit.
Here are a few examples of how you can embrace sustainability:
Vegan, Palm Oil and ‘Natural’ Products
The case for ‘natural’ products has never been more significant. Consumers are turning away from harmful chemicals and looking closely at what’s going into their products. Certain companies have taken this trend and created a range of Ayurvedic soaps with natural oils and eco-friendly packaging. And there are plenty more examples that show products with Ayurvedic and vegan ingredients (e.g. neem oil, turmeric) are rising in popularity.
Similarly, consumers are becoming aware of the unsustainable harvesting of palm oil. The WWF claims that 50% of supermarket products contain palm oil because it is a lucrative and versatile material. As a result, it has become a major driver of deforestation and the destruction of wildlife habitation, so it is time for manufacturers to look into sustainable palm oil sourcing, using RSPO certified products or using different materials entirely, such as rapeseed, sunflower or coconut oil.
Plastics and Recyclable Packaging
Our ‘throwaway culture’ is coming to an end. Not only do consumers feel morally obligated to turn away from excessive packaging, but the European Single Use Plastics Directive will also be adopted in April 2019, to help prevent the impact of plastics on marine life. As a result, it is time to turn to other materials and the recycling of ingredients from contaminates. Manufacturers should look into extending the shelf-life of their products without making their sustainability even more toxic in the long-run. Recycling is a huge factor in sustainability; aluminium aerosol cans are 100% recyclable, and PCR (Post Consumer Regrind) plastics are created from recycled material.
Many health and beauty companies have created solidified products in the hair and beauty sector, ranging from deodorants to conditioners, eradicating the need for plastic packaging and replacing it with cardboard and paper packets.
Clean Labelling
More than ever before, consumers want to know what is in their products, and are predicted to reject labels with too much or too little information. Clarity and honesty on labels are now a vital aspect of product manufacture. If your product is palm oil free or vegan friendly, let the buyer know.
What is Reabrook doing?
Here at Reabrook we continue to make a conscious effort to use an eco-friendly, sustainable process during every stage of manufacture.
To begin with, none of waste goes to landfill. We use specialised waste disposal companies that recycle and reuse waste and all our dirty water is sent for use at sewage plants. Alongside this, our staff recycle all paper and solvent waste is used in kilns for cement production.
Reabrook also offer a range of sustainable materials, offering alternative substrates and PCR bottles and tubes created from recycled material. We can offer vegan ingredients for products and aluminium cans that can be recycled indefinitely.
In keeping with our promise for sustainability, we have worked with The National Forest to plant 42,000 trees since 2014. As of 2018, Reabrook fully supports the UK government’s legislation that bans the use of microbeads, and we won the 2016 PBCA sustainability award for our innovation in introducing compressed air aerosols targeted at industry.