Packaging

Using only the right amount

Many people believe that consumer goods are unnecessarily over-packaged. However from the view of sustainable development, packaging can have both positive and negative aspects. Concerns over resource use and waste disposal are well publicised, but the correct use of packaging can be beneficial by preventing product damage and ensuring a longer life for perishable products. Achieving the correct balance between these factors is known as packaging optimisation.

In 2005, we entered into a voluntary agreement (the Courtauld Commitment) with the Government-funded Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP) as one of a number of signatories. The objective of this commitment was to inspire companies to reduce the amount of packaging entering the waste stream. In August 2008 WRAP announced that the initial target had been achieved despite a 1.8% growth in sales in the grocery sector and a 0.5% increase in the UK population since 2005. Boots UK is now participating in the second phase of the Courtaulds Commitment and are members of the WRAP Product Research Forum to develop the shape of the Commitment beyond 2013.

As a WRAP signatory, we've put a lot of effort into achieving a reduction in our packaging. Our product development teams have ensured that only the optimum amount of packaging is used. Our aim is to provide aesthetically pleasing and easy-to-use Boots products that have the right amount of pack protection from the point of manufacture right through to their use by the consumer. At the same time we aim to ensure that the environmental impact of packaging is minimised and that at the end of its life it can be efficiently recovered or recycled.

As well as considering the environmental impact of packaging for new products, we regularly review existing ranges for improvement.

For example we have a programme to reduce the amount of Christmas gift packaging as well as making it easy to recycle and using increasing amounts of recycled materials. We are using the On Pack Recycling Labelling (OPRL) scheme so that customers can be clear about what can be recycled.

In 2009, due to a new process to assess product sustainability, we reduced our Christmas packaging by 1,400 tonnes and reduced costs in our supply chain of £1.3 million. We continued the process in 2010 and year on year achieved a 44% increase in the recycled content of retail packaging, a reduction in the use of plastics of 13% and a 6% reduction in disposable cardboard.

We've also delivered groundbreaking initiatives such as the use of recycled plastic in toiletries' packaging.

In our distribution network, we've minimised packaging and its waste by transporting products in our own re-usable containers - we've been doing this since the 1950s.

Carrier bags

In 2007, Boots UK entered into a voluntary agreement with the WRAP to reduce the overall environmental impact of our carrier bags by 25% by the end of 2008.

Our strategy has been to take action that reduces the impact of carrier bags on the environment whilst still focusing on the needs of our customers. Our customers have endorsed our strategy, including our commitment to issuing less single use carrier bags, with 76% saying it is important for businesses to have a policy on cutting the use of carrier bags (Source UK Health and Beauty Customer Insights Survey June 2007).

Over the last few years, our approach has encompassed a broad series of initiatives, which include:

• Rationalising our existing bag range, discontinuing some sizes and replacing others with 15% smaller bags.
• Increasing the amount of recycled plastic content used in some of our bags.
• Launching our “Gorgeous” reusable cotton bag in early 2008 as an alternative to traditional plastic carrier bags (including a contribution to our women’s cancer charity partners).
• Undertaking in-store trials of a smaller reusable bag.
• Introducing a 10p style reusable plastic bag from 100% recycled plastic.
• Worked with Coca Cola to introduce a reusable "Meal Deal" bag using PET from recycled drinks bottles.

Together these initiatives enabled us to exceed our voluntary commitment of a 25% reduction and we continue to develop and evaluate further initiatives.