Herbal Essences will become the first P&G brand to use Eastman Renew molecular-recycled plastic in its packaging. In a launch timed to coincide with America Recycles Day on November 15, five shampoo and conditioner collections will become available in primary packaging made from Eastman Renew resins with 50% certified mass-balanced recycled plastic, the company announced.
Eastman Renew materials are produced through Eastman's molecular recycling technologies, using hard-to-recycle waste plastic otherwise destined for landfills. Eastman has developed two different technologies, known as carbon renewal and as polyester renewal technologies. The two main differences between them are the type of feedstock, or material input used, and the outputs produced. Carbon renewal technology can process a broad mix of plastic waste—all types except PVC—to use as inputs, whereas polyester renewal technology uses a family of polyester material as the process input. advanced recycling technologies. These technologies complement traditional recycling and considerably expand the types and amounts of plastics that can be recycled."We are excited to see our partnership with Procter & Gamble reach consumers' hands with the launch of these Herbal Essences packages," said Chris Layton, Eastman sustainability director for plastics and circular solutions
The initial launch of the new packages will be followed by two new collections coming to market in January 2022. These will also include standardised How2Recycle labels to clarify recycling instructions and encourage recycling behaviour, even in the bathroom.
As Herbal Essences principal scientist Rachel Zipperian pointed out:”It's on all of us to make a difference and create a more sustainable future where plastics are truly recycled, reused and out of nature.”