Method in the madness: The first 100% RPET detergent bottle

DESIGNED FOR COMFORT

Chances are you haven’t spent much time thinking about the packaging of your liquid laundry detergent. That’s a good thing.

When it comes to liquid laundry bottles, a lot of work goes on behind the scenes to make sure they are comfortable and easy to use. If you’re not thinking about your containers, it probably means things are going smoothly.

This all has to do with the way the neck, spout and handgrips are designed. But while there is room to be creative in these areas, until recently the choice for packaging material was predominately limited to opaque high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

Enter Amcor and Method, the leader in eco-friendly household, fabric and personal care products. Together, we have developed a liquid laundry bottle that is not only ergonomically designed, but also made of 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin.

PET is a safe, strong, transparent and versatile material that can be recycled again and again. However, it has previously struggled to enter the market due to compatibility and colour stability issues.

Amcor overcame these challenges by providing product compatibility testing with Method’s liquid formula to ensure package stability on the store shelf. We also worked through issues with the container’s neck design, spout closure and handgrips, ultimately creating a unique and sustainable design that could be stretch blow moulded with an appealing handgrip.

A MORE SUSTAINABLE CHOICE

This is the industry’s first liquid laundry bottle made of 100% PCR PET. With a 35 percent lower carbon footprint, the container meets Method’s high standard for sustainability.

In fact, the 53oz sleek, transparent custom container, which delivers strong shelf appeal, was so impressive it picked up a Diamond Finalist award in the Technological Advancement, Responsible Packaging, and Enhanced User Experience categories of the 28th annual DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation.

Jim Rooney, vice president of sales for Amcor Rigid Plastics’ Diversified Products business unit, said it was an honour to be recognised by DuPont for innovation and sustainability.

“Our primary objective is partnering with customers and creating unique solutions like this 100% PCR PET bottle, which delivers major sustainability benefits for Method and reinforces its strong environmental platform,” said Rooney.

Amcor Rigid Plastics has a 24/7 on-site manufacturing facility at Method’s Chicago plant to help reduce transportation costs and further lower Method’s carbon footprint. Amcor is making 100% post-consumer recycled PET bottles for handwash and household cleaners at Method’s Chicago plant with production aided by wind energy. This is a first for an Amcor facility, which has reduced the need for 600 trucks of bottle freight and eliminated 200 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

Read more stories about Amcor’s commitment to responsible packaging.

SOURCES
Method's New Liquid Laundry Detergent is First to be Packaged in 100% PCR PET
Amcor Captures Two DuPont Packaging Awards