Coppertone case study for Costco – Thinking inside the box
Simplified for easier recycling
The initiative
Costco products are often sold in multipacks. That was the case for Coppertone sunscreen, sold in packages of three tubes in a PVC plastic bag with a zipper closing. Although the packaging was very attractive, the materials used made it difficult to recycle. The company therefore decided to simplify the packaging and return to a boxboard box design that is more easily recycled.
The winning solution
Although the new packaging still contains three tubes of sunscreen, it is more compact. The rectangular shape is better adapted to packing for transportation from the plant to the store. The cardboard packaging is easier to recycle, and its large opening on the front provides a better view of the product while reducing the quantity of cardboard used.
Marketing : 2014
Benefits of the optimization initiative:
Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
Reduced number of freight used to transport 100,000 products
Decreased packaging/product ratio
Reduced quantity of materials used
Eco-responsible packaging is increasingly available on the market... and demanded by consumers.
One Quebecer out of two say they have a real interest in eco-responsible packaging that ensures product safety, protection and conservation, minimizes transportation impacts, resists breakage, optimizes warehousing and delivers a better consumer experience.