An annual event to demonstrate support for environmental protection, it was first held on April 22, 1970, and includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by EARTHDAY.ORG involving 1 billion people in more than 193 countries.
The official theme for 2024 is "Planet vs. Plastics” and their aim is to demand a commitment to reduce the production of all plastics by 60% by 2040.
Read all about this year’s theme here: https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2024/
How we reduce plastic usage at phs
At phs, being a partner of choice goes hand in hand with our dedication to environmental protection. As a leading hygiene company in the UK, Ireland, and Spain, we have a responsibility to reduce our carbon emissions and minimise our plastic usage at every opportunity.
Here are some of the initiatives phs have taken to reduce our use of plastics.
- We exceed the Packaging Waste Regulations 2007 recovery, reuse, and recycling obligations for packaging, demonstrating our commitment to decreasing packaging across our business and diverting waste from landfill. We avoid using packaging in the supply of our products whenever feasible.
- We strive to reuse post-consumer and post-industrial plastic waste to create new innovative products and improve existing products and our product development team have helped us move away from virgin plastic containers and single use plastic bottles.
- We work closely with our supply chain to improve our product range and are proud to be the first service provider to offer Vernacare’s innovative 5th Generation Sharpsafe and Clinisafe containers which use recycled material.
- phs has also partnered with Clinisafe to provide cardboard clinical waste containers. This sustainable solution for solid, non-sharp clinical waste will help us achieve 100% reduction in single use plastics.
- We have now removed all single use plastic packaging and wall plugs from all our phs and phs Warner Howard branded dryers and our top selling World Dryer AIRFORCE is also now plastic free.
- We have taken steps within our supply chain to specify that they only use to be LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) for packaging which is categorised as code 4 plastic. This means that this plastic can be recycled both commercially and domestically but is also considered less toxic than other types of plastics. In addition, all bags used to collect and dispose of offensive and clinical waste are made of a minimum of 97% recycled content.
- Chemical products are packaged in 80% recyclable plastic as part of the phs plastic management pledge and in general, any 750ml, 1L or 5L plastic containers are placed in a secure outer case packaging which is made from recycled cardboard.
- The Selenei organic period product range is plastic free, and the packaging contains 80% post-consumer and post-industrial materials and is biodegradable.
- Our soluCLEAN bin cleaner removes 30,000 single use 750ml bottles per year. Made from 100% recycled milk cartons, they’re also being printed with UV ink to ensure bottles can be further recycled when they come to the end of their life.
- In terms of Floorcare, our Logo Mats are now made from rPET with approx. 68 plastic bottles per sqm again helping to save our oceans and reduce microplastic waste and in our Matta Products Playground business, we provide a range of recycled tiles that are 87% made from recycled waste streams such as medical plastic waste.
- This year at phs Teacrate, we have recycled 23 tonnes of plastic create from our rental stock. When replacing our rental stock, we have move away from virgin plastic material to a recycled mix.
- At phs Wastekit, our machinery is helping customers across the UK to ensure that plastics do not end up in landfill and are sent for recycling. phs Wastekit play a big part in customers’ waste segregation ambitions. Baled plastics return a great rebate for customers, so ensuring it is segregated correctly and collected by recyclers can mean a great source of income for businesses.
Join us on our journey towards a more sustainable future. Together, we can make a positive impact that goes way beyond this awareness day.
Please visit our website for more on how phs are a partner of choice: www.phs.co.uk
Author: Graeme Mckenzie-Netherwood, phs Head of Sustainability
