Finish, a well-known dishwasher detergent brand, recently unveiled its new, kerbside recyclable, paper-based packaging for its dishwashing tablet products. The innovative move is set to eliminate an estimated 48 tonnes of plastic from Finish’s annual packaging output, which is roughly comparable to the plastic content of more than 1.8 million water bottles.
This momentous achievement is the result of four years’ of dedicated research and development, which involved over 55 production trials. The main technical hurdle faced by the engineers was the need to design a water-resistant barrier that would safeguard the chemical stability of the tablets. At the same time, ensuring that the chosen materials were suitable for standard paper recycling streams was another significant challenge.
According to Laurie Ferland-Caouette, the Head of Sustainability at Reckitt Australia, this launch signifies a considerable advancement for the home care category in Australia. “We anticipate that half of all Finish tablet packs sold will now feature our paper-based packaging. This will make it easier for Australians to make more sustainable choices as part of their everyday routines,” she added.
This newly developed packaging will be available across selected ranges in supermarkets throughout Australia.
In addition to this, Finish will continue its association with the non-profit organisation, Rural Aid, into 2024, marking its fifth year of partnership.
What was the main challenge faced by engineers during the development of the new packaging?
The engineers had to design a water-resistant barrier that would protect the chemical stability of the tablets, while ensuring that the materials used were suitable for standard paper recycling processes.
How much plastic does Finish estimate it will save annually with the new packaging?
Finish estimates that the new packaging will remove around 48 tonnes of plastic from its annual packaging production.
Will the paper-based packaging be available throughout Australia?
Yes, the paper-based packaging will be available across selected product ranges in supermarkets nationwide.
