Eco-friendly starup Zero Co is asking Australians to join them in "untrashing the planet" by making small, incremental changes to daily routines, which amount to a massive impact on the plastic problem long-term.
A recent IRI Big Picture Data report stated that the beauty industry in particular contributes significantly to the plastic problem in Australia, with over 179 million single use plastic bottles worth of shampoo, conditioner, deodorant and skincare bought from the supermarket each year.
And according to the Federal government’s Waste Report, only 15 per cent of the plastics Australians consume will actually get recycled, with the remaining 85 per cent going to landfill (approximately over 152 million bottles each year).
After making its name in the home-cleaning category, with over 57,000 customers adopting its zero-waste refill model, Zero Co has put the beauty industry on notice, with a new range of single use plastic-free products – the world’s first refillable and single use plastic-free liquid shampoo, conditioner, body lotion and roll-on deodorant.
To launch its new body products, Zero Co is encouraging Aussies to “start small”, with the brand launching a series of initiatives aimed at demonstrating first-hand how small acts can deliver big impact.
“Our community has demonstrated the significant impact that individuals can have on a massive, global problem,” said Mike Smith, Zero Co’s founder.
“Thanks to their support, in the last year and a half, we have removed the equivalent of 803,083 water bottles worth of rubbish from oceans and beaches by funding clean ups around Australia.
“And, thanks to our incredible Pouch Recovery Machine, we’ve stopped the equivalent of 789,325 water bottles worth of rubbish from ending up in landfill.”
Zero Co’s Pouch Recovery Machine is a first-of-its-kind piece of technology that has been engineered in Australia, developed to clean and sanitise used refill pouches that are returned by Zero Co customers (for free in a reply-paid envelope). Once clean, the pouches are refilled with product and sent back out to other customers.
This closed-loop refill model allows for zero waste over the customer’s lifetime, something the company said no other brand in the world is delivering at scale, with such a wide breadth of products on offer.
“We need to move towards a circular economy, and by adopting habits or consuming brands that support this movement, you are actively choosing to protect our planet and minimise your footprint,” added Smith.
Zero Co’s new body range has been developed alongside Dr Kate Forbes, the ex-global head of product for Aesop, who has assisted the team in entering such a competitive market, and producing products with industry-leading ingredients lists, which are free from silicones, parabens and EDTA.
“It is a brilliant concept and one that solves a significant challenge for the beauty industry,” said Forbes.
“The innovative pouch cleaning solution that Zero Co has developed has allowed us to create these products in the liquid format, which makes it easy for our customers.
“It has been incredibly difficult, but the team have been persistent in creating products that leave no barrier to entry for the sake of planet-friendly.”
The new range expands Zero Co’s lineup to 14 personal-care and home-cleaning products, including two newly released fragrances of hand wash and body wash, as it looks to diversify its offering to a fast-growing community of customers.
“We hope that by delivering our products carbon negative with the option to subscribe, and ensuring their efficacy rivals with supermarket competitors, we can convince everyday Aussies that it is actually really easy to make the switch, and start taking small steps towards big change,” Smith concluded.
Australians can order Zero Co’s new body range from the company website.
