Packaging
Sustainability has never been a tick box exercise for Saltee with our founders, Sam and Patrick having a background in sustainable packaging having been directors in 2011 of the largest plastic recycling factory in Europe.
Saltee’s ultimate goal is to be a zero-waste brand. We want to minimise the carbon footprint of every Saltee product and make smart packaging decisions for every component of our suncare range.
Each product requires standalone analysis and decision making on the most environmentally sustainable solution. As an example, Saltee hands – our luxurious hand sanitiser - is packaged in glass with large refill options also available. We determined that this was the lowest carbon solution for this product.
All Saltee packaging can be recycled:
We have undertaken an audit by the industry leading SEDEX programme that reviews the sustainable standards of consumer businesses.
We have found that plastic is often the most sustainable pack type for SPF. The key criteria to ensure that the carbon footprint of our plastic containers is reduced are to
- - Include as much recycled plastic (rPET) in our packaging as possible;
- - Ensure the plastic is recycled at the end of (its first) life.
Every year we review our packaging to ensure that we integrate the latest sustainable packaging innovation options. We expect that the evolution of suncare packaging will lead to us launching aluminium or cardboard packaging within the next 3 years.
What recycling really means to the Saltee founders:
Saltee founders Sam and Patrick first collaborated when working to establish the UK’s largest plastic recycling business.
Continuum Recycling was established in 2012 to recycle plastic bottles and ensure a second life for the bottles we recycle in our green home recycling bins. Patrick a Director at Coca-Cola and determined to establish a meaningful impact from the company’s 2012 Olympic sponsorship; whilst Sam was a Non-Executive Director at Eco-Plastics with broader experience investing in green technologies. The Saltee Founders shaped the £125 million recycling business went on to be Board Directors as the Lincolnshire factory produced 25,000 tonnes of recycled PET each year.
Sam & Patrick’s learning and expertise from Continuum Recycling underpin the Saltee packaging mission and gives us confidence that we are working towards a zero-waste brand.