Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 18th April 2024 Issue no. 1110
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SUPA produces plastic-free paper bottles for laundry and washing up liquids
SUPA has produced plastic-free paper bottles for laundry and washing up liquids under the Eco-mate brand, the composition of which it believes is a world first.
The design features an internal coating of seaweed and natural plant latex to hold liquids; this naturally biodegrades in the environment much like a waxy tree leaf. Biodegradable accelerators within the paper bottle construction speed up and ensure natural composting. The bottles can be cut up and composted or put in recycling or even in garden waste bin as everything is natural.
The company was launched in 2019 after the founders failed to find a manufacturer of paper bottles: “We just couldn't believe that there wasn't a paper bottle on the market - everything was either an attempt at greenwashing by covering a plastic bottle with an outer paper one or they used plastic bags inside which is even worse for ocean eco systems,” reveals co-founder Scott Nicholas. “Even big companies like Coca Cola were touting paper bottle development but when we looked closer it still had plastic inside and used plastic neck and caps... We couldn't believe it! So we made our own paper bottle without any plastic at all!”
The business, which makes both the paper bottles and the plant based, biodegradable contents in its Rutland facility near Stamford, launched with Eco-mate household laundry and washing up liquids – but of course this is just the beginning... Says fellow co-founder Rachel Owen:
“Laundry, fabric and washing up liquids that every home uses and which are mainly supplied in single-use plastic bottles - often with chemicals, are damaging to our eco-systems. This business uses liquids that are 100% derived from plants, as well as the bottles themselves.
“There are many existing brands that are plant based and available in recycled plastic bottles but Eco-mate goes a stage further as it eliminates the plastic element altogether. The environment doesn't care if a product uses recycled plastic or not, it behaves exactly the same when it finds its way into our oceans and with 33% of all single use plastic waste finding its way into our eco systems every year, paper and bio materials that compost naturally are a no brainer choice.”
Designed to safely revert back to nature without leaving behind micro plastics or toxins, the Eco-mate products have been tested and certified 100% bio-based material.
SUPA Products is growing its range of liquids, with pet shampoos, toilet cleaner, hand wash options and a multi surface cleaner in the pipeline.
SUPA has committed 20% of all profits to ocean and beach clean-up charities with every 500ml bottle being sold eliminating around 40 grams of single-use plastic from circulation.
2nd February 2023