Ariel PODS washing capsules are now available in cardboard boxes

(Photo: Ariel)

The new ECOCLIC® cardboard box is P&G’s latest packaging solution, which took more than four years to develop, among other things, because they conducted rigorous research with more than 2,500 consumers across Europe, including parents, users with reduced mobility and vision, and people with cognitive disabilities. The new ECOCLIC® carton is a breakthrough packaging innovation that is fully recyclable, FSC certified and contains a minimum of 70% recycled fibres.

“With the introduction of the new ECOCLIC® cardboard box, we save 6,500 tons of plastic annually in Europe. – said Elvan Onal, European Vice President of P&G’s detergent and cleaning products business. – In addition to the packaging, we know that nearly 60% of the carbon footprint of washing comes from the user phase, mainly from heating the water. The new formula of Ariel PODS capsules with COOLCLEANTM technology provides outstanding performance even when washing at a colder temperature, and by washing at a reduced temperature, we consume less electricity, which not only means a lower carbon footprint, but also a lower electricity bill.”

No production waste is generated during the production of Ariel PODS® washing capsules

This is an extremely important step in Procter & Gamble’s commitment to reduce the amount of plastics in its detergent and cleaning products business by 30% in Europe by 2025. The newly designed packaging of Procter & Gamble’s Ariel PODS® washing capsules is more ergonomic and indicates with an intelligent, loud click that the box is securely closed, thus guaranteeing the safety of children. During the design of the ECOCLIC® box, the company also collaborated with disabled consumers and incorporated two new functions into the packaging. There is a tactile logo on the top of the box, and the NaviLens QR code reads the audio description of the product with the help of the phone application, thus providing assistance in informing the visually impaired. NaviLens codes can be read more than 12 times farther than classic QR or barcodes.

(Photo: Ariel)

“This cardboard packaging is one of Ariel’s biggest innovations. We invested in thorough research lasting 4 years in order to put consumer satisfaction at the center of our design, while striving for a sustainable solution that also involves a significant reduction in plastic.” added the vice president.

The A.I.S.E. (International Association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance Products) recent European survey shows that the average household washing temperature is 42.4 °C and less than a third (28%) of washing is done below 30 °C, therefore P&G’s priority mission , to change these habits and encourage consumers to use cold washing. Washing at a low temperature is also good for the planet, if, for example, everyone in Europe reduced the washing temperature from 40°C to 30°C, there would be up to 3.5 million tons less carbon dioxide emissions, which is equivalent to two million cars we would take it off the roads. Washing in colder water also preserves the quality of our clothes for a longer time.