Moving from Switzerland to New Zealand, Dunja and Serge Balmer, proprietors of EcoWarehouse, already had an environmentally conscious mindset ingrained in them since childhood. On arriving in the country, they noticed stark differences in recycling and other environmental practices.
As they explored the stores filled with cheap imported plastic products, they decided to create eco-friendly household items, giving birth to EcoWarehouse in 2006.
Today, almost two decades later, the brand is still relevant in the market due to changing consumer behaviour and increasing awareness about various environmental issues, allowing them to expand their product offerings.
However, their priorities remain the same, as they did years ago when they launched their first product, Soap Nuts, a 100 percent natural laundry cleaning product; sustainability, emphasising waste reduction and minimising the ecological footprint of conventional items.
Soapnuts or soapberries of the Sapindus Mukorossi tree have fantastic cleaning powers. The shells of these berries contain a natural substance called saponin, which forms mild suds when they come in contact with water and effectively removes dirt and dissolves oils. Besides laundry, they can also be used to make all-purpose cleaners, dishwashing liquids, and more.
The latest innovation in the laundry industry has been the dissolvable laundry sheets and pods, also offered by EcoWarehouse. They work by providing a convenient and eco-friendly alternative to traditional liquid or powder detergents, as they are typically made from a thin, water-soluble film that contains a concentrated form of detergent.
Since these dissolve in water, they do not contribute to plastic waste like the traditional liquid detergent bottles. This zero-waste packaging reduces waste in landfills, conserves resources, minimises pollution and promotes healthier and more sustainable consumption.
Another reason for the growing popularity of these dissolvable laundry items is that they are convenient and easy to use, as there is no need for measuring, pouring or dealing with liquids or powders.
Concentrated laundry and dish-washing pods are also smaller and lighter than traditional liquid or powder detergents, resulting in less packaging material and less energy and resources to transport, reducing carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions.
Many of these are also formulated to work effectively in cold water, which reduces the energy required for heating water during the washing cycle. Additionally, they can help reduce the water needed for rinsing, an essential consideration in regions with water scarcity.
Eco-friendly cleaning products are also formulated to be biodegradable and free from harmful chemicals like phosphates and chlorine so that when they are washed down drains, they are less likely to harm aquatic ecosystems and contaminate water sources.
They also use non-toxic or low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) ingredients, reducing indoor air pollution and minimising the risk of respiratory problems and allergic reactions. Non-toxic and natural cleaning products are safer for both humans and pets.
Over the last five years, EcoWarehouse has potentially saved over 27,000 plastic laundry bottles, over 6,000 plastic tubs and over 900 tonnes of food waste from going to landfills.
EcoWarehouse not only ensures that its suppliers adhere to core sustainability values in their packaging practices but also engages in dialogues with manufacturers to communicate requirements, emphasising the use of recyclable and compostable materials whenever feasible.
They continually seek innovative products within the eco-friendly sector and aim to make individuals more conscious of their environmental footprint. They anticipate that a decrease in inflation will encourage more individuals to buy products that impose less strain on the environment.
By choosing eco-friendly cleaning products, consumers can send a clear message to manufacturers that they prioritise sustainable and non-toxic ingredients, encouraging more companies to adopt environmentally responsible practices and invest in cleaner, safer product formulations.
The company is also exploring collaboration with Third-party logistics (3PL) to solve transportation-related challenges and plans to attain its B-Corp certification next year.
Read more from the November issue of Supermarket News below:
