Since the launch of Phase 1 of our vitamins and supplements relaunch—featuring the reintroduction of six of our best-selling items—there’s been a lot of buzz (and questions) about our new packaging!
I’m Samar, Herbaland’s Marketing and Sustainability Coordinator, and today I’m here to answer some of the most popular questions we’ve been asked. Let’s dive in!
1) Why did Herbaland change its packaging?
I know, I know—we miss our compostable packaging too!😢 Unfortunately, our 100% compostable packaging wasn’t suitable as products in the Natural Health Products (NPNs) Category, according to new Health Canada regulations.
We had to ensure compliance with these standards to continue providing safe, high-quality vitamins and supplements, and then began the search for alternative packaging options!
2) What are 100% PCR containers, and why did you pick them?
Great question! PCR stands for Post-Consumer Recycled. This means our bottles are made from 100% recycled plastic and can be recycled again after use.
Our PCR bottles are made from PET #1 plastic, the most commonly recyclable type of plastic (you might recognize the number at the bottom of plastic containers).
We selected these bottles because they:
- Align with Health Canada’s regulations
- Offer the durability needed to protect our products.
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Support our sustainability mission by reducing the demand for virgin plastic.
3) How do you ensure your products get recycled after use?
This is the tricky part. In Canada, plastic recycling rates are currently 9% (and even lower in the USA at 5%). Clearly, we need change—and it’s going to take effort from both businesses and individuals.
Here’s what we’re doing to help:
Choosing PET #1 plastic: The most commonly recycled plastic increases the likelihood of our bottles being recycled.
Changing our recycling logo: We’ve updated it to dark blue, matching the colour of plastic recycling bins in Canada and the USA (shown in the picture below). This strategy, inspired by Scandinavian countries with over 50% recycling rates, makes it easier for consumers to identify the correct bin.
Educating our consumers: We’re launching campaigns to teach proper disposal methods, so you can help ensure our products are recycled correctly. Stay tuned for more details!
Our updated label with the dark blue recycling logo
Thank you for sticking with us through this journey. Switching to PCR bottles wasn’t an easy decision, but we’re confident it was the right one for Herbaland, our customers, and the planet.
Have questions? Drop them in the comments, and I’ll be happy to answer!
To our community, thank you for supporting our mission of creating sustainable, inclusive, and delicious wellness solutions. We couldn’t do it without you. 💚