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Suma Wholefoods x Rattle Ghyll

Published: 20/07/2023

Unleashing the Power of Refills to Save Our Environment

Plastic. It’s everywhere and, when not managed correctly, it wreaks havoc on our precious natural environment. From endangering wildlife to releasing toxic chemicals into the air, the consequences of plastic pollution are dire. But fear not, there’s a simple yet effective solution that can make a world of difference: refilling.

One of the best ways to manage plastic is to reuse the plastic we already have in circulation in the form of packaging. This is why we offer many of our body care and household cleaning products in refillable plastic drum containers for customer refills. And it’s making a real impact.

These refill drums are more than just containers. They’re superheroes in disguise, saving the planet one refill at a time. Once they’re empty, we collect them and give them a new lease of life. They’re recycled into a variety of useful products like drainage pipes, Stok board (a versatile recycled plastic sheeting), and even brand new drums. Talk about plastic reincarnation!

But don’t just take our word for it. We recently participated in a groundbreaking study conducted by Laura Giles, a brilliant researcher from the University of Cumbria and featuring Suma customer Rattle Ghyll. This study, part of the Eco-I North West project, aimed to measure the environmental impact of using Suma refill drums compared to buying products in standard single-use plastic containers. And boy, were the results eye-opening!



By using our Ecoleaf 20 Litre drums, our customers managed to slash carbon emissions by a staggering 43.9% when compared to the equivalent volume of single-use plastic bottles. That’s like taking a car off the road for 10 miles. And here’s the cherry on top: our 5 Litre ALTER/NATIVE by Suma containers went even further, achieving a mind-blowing 57.8% reduction in carbon emissions. That’s a whopping 0.81kg CO2e saved per container!

Now, let’s zoom out and look at the bigger picture. We crunched the numbers for all our customers and discovered something truly awe-inspiring. Throughout the year, all our customers collectively saved a jaw-dropping 63,532 kgCO2e. That’s equivalent to 162,867 miles driven by an average gasoline-powered car. Just think about the positive impact that has on our environment!

So, next time you refill your body care or cleaning products, know that you’re not just making a smart choice for your wallet. You’re actively contributing to a greener future, where plastic pollution is no longer a threat. Join us in our mission to unleash the power of refills and let’s create a world that thrives on sustainability.

Together, we can turn the tide against plastic and save our planet, one refill at a time.


Read our full Sustainability Report here