Grohe has revealed that it is now saving 37 million plastic items per year due to the elimination of all unnecessary plastic in its product packaging – an amount equivalent to the average plastic packaging waste generated by more than 4,300 EU citizens over the course of one year. In 2018 the company set itself the target of removing all plastic from its packaging as one of the three core pillars of its Less Plastic Initiative. However, the team involved in this task realised that this complete shift could not be implemented with the packaging options currently available. Factors such as the set-up of current recycling systems and the lack of plastic-free solutions, especially for delicate product surfaces, still pose a huge challenge.
“While a complete switch to plastic-free packaging has not been possible yet, we will continue to constantly reflect, challenge, and re-evaluate the status quo of our solutions,” said Jonas Brennwald, leader Lixil EMENA. “To drive a plastic-free future forward, we’ll focus on taking action. A crucial part of this is encouraging innovation applicable for the mass market in the packaging sector and inviting partners to work with us together to create new opportunities.”
“Achieving reduced-plastic packaging could only be reached by a multidimensional approach, including new innovations and small modifications – quite literally thinking outside of the box. For example, our project teams in the plants used novel solutions such as moulded pulp inserts instead of expanding polystyrene or wrapping film solution. Moreover, some simple yet impactful changes were developed. A product part of the Grohe Rapid installation system is now used to stow other loose pieces. This small modification has resulted in a big impact, saving 26 tons of polybags per year. I am very proud of the creative ambition with which my colleagues have approached the issue in order to bring about change,” added Peter Brendecke, leader quality and EHS fittings, Lixil International.
Pictured is the Grohe and everwave clean-up operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
