Have you ever considered having consumers bring back their rinsed out used bottles (dish deterg., laundry deterg. etc.) to where they purchased it so they can be shipped back to your distribution centers to be refilled?
I don't see why (as long as they are in good shape) you can't reuse the containers until they need to be recycled. They can be shipped back in the same boxes that they came in. And most certainly it would cost less to send back empty bottles and refill them, then producing new/recycled containers! The savings can then be passed on to the consumers and more people might buy the product because it costs less!
Too simple to be true?
Nicole V.
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Yes
I will certainly bring my used containers back to the store or bring them somewhere where they can be shipped back to the company to be refilled, that way there will be less need to produce more plastic. Even thou i recycle at home, sending the plastic bottles back to the company to be refilled will not only save them money, but will hep our environment too. Being an Environmental Scientist i always try to do as much as i can to help our environment.
Please figure out a way to do refilling stations
I'm 36 years old and grew up with the mantra to recycle. That was good then, but this is now. Recycling is no longer a tenable solution to our ever-increasing dependence on plastics. We need to look at ways at how we can reduce the amount of plastics we use on a much larger scale! Please figure out a way to set up refilling stations for your products. This would result in a whole new level of customer loyalty like never before, and pave the way for other companies to follow. Please figure this out...
Corporate Response Please
Hi 7th Generation!
Did you know that your All Purpose Cleaner works beautifully on granite and stainless steel? It's a shines like a glass charm. You should add that to your value proposition. So, thank you.
What is being down to service your fans and provide 32 or 64 oz. bottle refills or just have a 'filling station' at the market? Try it. I'm a marketing guru and thought of a filling station platform for chemicals about 10 years ago.
Why not start a new trend? Recycle...why?
We should reuse until it becomes refuse...and then recycle.
Thank you in advance for catering to your loyal base and truly improving the environmental footprint.
I totally agree with
I totally agree with everyone's postings here. Seventh Generation could convey a very holistic message not only by delivering non-toxic cleaning products, but also by taking the extra step to minimize plastic packaging and waste.
As far as marketing and 'brand recognition' (re: drchiu), it'd be very eye-catching to consumers if there were mini product refill stations/kiosks (perhaps in chain stores for greatest exposure). I'm not sure how feasible that would be really be, but I know that I'd be more likely to use more Seventh Generation products (and try ones that I don't normally use) if I had this option.
In any case, I do hope that Seventh Generation is seriously thinking beyond recycling of their product containers and more about reusing/bulk buying them. It would certainly separate this company from other 'green' cleaning companies, and I think that many consumers would support this effort.
Where can I can I purchase your products in concentrate
When and where can I purchase cleaner products in concentrate? Largest ingredient is water and I have it here in my house. Save the cost of shipping water around the country. Even Walmart is doing it.
Refilling/reusing bottles
How much petroleum product was used to manufacture these sturdy bottles? Please find a way to reuse rather than recycle them.
Grocery Stand
I think the best solution would be a bulk bin in the store. I buy products such as Montana Wheat out of the bulk bins with reusable plastic bags. Bringing the old containers back to the store to fill them would be easier and less time consuming than shipping bottles back.
Something to consider...
I think it would be a great way to reduce and reuse! It would also be a great marketing tool if done the right way... I sent in a more formal request for this via email too. ;)
Free and Clear
The Natural All-Purpose Cleaner is a favorite at our house. I would like to be able to buy a larger refill size, instead of having to buy a small size with sprayer all of the time.
Will see what can be done ...
I will talk with Seventh Generation about your desire since I have been working with them for years. One of the problems is brand recognition. Business is hard these days and if you're too different the masses won't get it.
Ultimately, all good conscious products should really move in this direction. I know of a Pet Company that is doing this with their products and it is really quite comforting to see that users want to see this happen.
Dr. Chiu =D
Marcella249 The thing that
Marcella249
The thing that drew me to this site is that I would like to set up a shop to sell products in bulk and have customers bring their own containers. I see from your products page that you are not currently set up to do that, but I believe that this is an idea whose time has returned, at least in certain selected communities. I live in a community that is ripe for such a pilot project. Your products were first on my list of possibilities. Please give it some thought.
reusing and refilling bottles
I can see how the cost of labor and shipping would offset any savings of reusing the bottles. However, I would like to suggest a modified bottle design that could be converted to a storage container after the detergent is used. A simple pull strip like those that connect lids to buckets could be added to the top of the bottle to disconnect the spout and handle after the bottle is emptied. A lid could be attached at the bottom which could also be disconnected with a pull strip and then used to seal the container. Pulloff labels could be used to reveal white space for labeling items for storage. Then rather than having trash when the detergent is gone, one would have a solid, shoe-box sized storage unit. Moms would love it for storing children's toys. Dads could use it to store small items in the workshop. The ideas for use are endless. After all, the big box stores sell millions of this size containers every year. This would be a throwback to the days when detergent companies offered premiums with their product. It would build brand loyalty, equity in the product and be a greener solution to tossing the container in the landfill (for the multitude of places that DON'T offer recycling.)
Even better, refill the bottle in the store with a dispenser
Shipping empty bottles still uses fuel and few stores will take up floor space to hold empty boxes waiting to send them back. If there were refilling dispensers in the stores, then not only are the bottles avoiding landfill, but customers are actively participating in saving the planet a bit at a time.
Depending on the size of the retailer (corner grocery versus Wal-mart), the gallons of product that can still be sold without the cost of bottling small bottles would be very significant. This would help in burgeoning markets such as India and China as well as America. China (pop 1.5 billion) is relying heavily on coal-burning plants for electricity, which is effectively erasing America's (pop 305 million) green tech efforts.
This is a comparatively easy thing to do.
Ooh! I agree; kind of like
Ooh! I agree; kind of like when you buy a new printer cartridge they have that package on the inside so you can just drop the old one in the mail to go back to them...