By Becky Bargh 11-Oct-2021

Packaging

Retailer to reduce packaging size by 20% and remove plastic packaging from bottle caps

Holland & Barrett, a UK staple, has plans in place to save 200 tonnes of virgin plastic from its line of beauty supplements.

By redesigning its packs to be smaller, the distributor will save 20% plastic per bottle and intends to use at least 80% recycled plastic.

The health and beauty product seller will also remove the plastic packaging from its caps and reduce the color levels of its bottles, in order to make the materials more widely used when they are recyclable.

“We know that sustainability is a very important topic for our customers and we are continually looking for ways to reduce our impact on the environment,” said Geraldine Waterton, head of brand management at Holland & Barrett.

“Our line of private label vitamins is one of the largest on the market.

“We are introducing our new packaging over the next 12 months and in doing so, we will save over 200 tonnes of plastic, while ensuring that our bottles are easily recycled at home. “

Holland & Barrett will begin rolling out its new packaging from this month, starting with its immunity and vitamin D lines.

The retailer has long been a champion of sustainability, implementing measures across its business to be more environmentally friendly.

Last month, the chain said it would no longer sell single-use face masks in stores and online, instead encouraging customers to switch to multi-use products that use recyclable materials.

Every buyer who switches to reusable masks, the retailer will donate 5% of the profits from their sale to Ocean Generation, a charity that works to preserve the world’s seas.

In December 2019, Holland & Barrett also announced that it would try to sell cosmetics that have passed their expiration dates, with the aim of reducing waste going to landfill.

The concept was initially rolled out to 25 stores in Devon and Cornwall, UK, and applied to all products except vitamins, chilled or frozen foods, dairy, as well as protein shakes and powders.

Before that, the retailer waged a war on single-use wet wipes and encouraged competitors to follow suit.