After making their name in the home-cleaning category, Australian start-up Zero Co has launched a new and revolutionary range of single-use plastic-free products, the world’s first refillable and single-use plastic-free liquid shampoo, conditioner, body lotion and roll-on deodorant.
In conjunction with the launch, the brand will be launching a series of initiatives as part of its “Start Small” aimed at demonstrating first-hand how small acts can deliver a huge impact.
“Our community has demonstrated the significant impact that individuals can have on a massive, global problem,” Zero Co founder Mike Smith said at the launch. “Thanks to their support, in the last year and a half, we have removed the equivalent of 803,083 water bottles worth of rubbish from oceans and beaches by funding cleanups around Australia. And, thanks to our incredible Pouch Recovery Machine, we’ve stopped the equivalent of 789,325 water bottles worth of rubbish from ending up in landfills.”
Zero Co’s Pouch Recovery Machine is noted to be a first-of-its-kind technology that has been engineered in Australia, developed to clean and sanitise used refill pouches that are returned by Zero Co customers (for free in a reply-paid envelope). Once clean, the pouches are refilled with the product and sent back out to other customers. This closed-loop refill model allows for zero waste over the customer’s lifetime, which Zero Co states that no other brand in the world is delivering at scale with such a wide breadth of products on offer that they have.
“We need to move towards a circular economy and, by adopting habits or consuming brands that support this movement, you are actively choosing to protect our planet and minimise your footprint,” Smith said.
Zero Co’s new body range has been developed alongside Dr. Kate Forbes, the ex-Global Head of Product at Aesop, who has assisted the team in entering such a competitive market and producing products with industry-leading ingredients lists that are free from silicones, parabens and EDTA.
“It’s a brilliant concept and one that solves a significant challenge for the beauty industry,” Dr. Forbes said. “The innovative pouch cleaning solution that Zero Co has developed has allowed us to create these products in a liquid format that makes it easy for our customers. It has been incredibly difficult, but the team have been persistent in creating products that leave no barrier to entry for the sake of planet-friendly.”
Smith said, that by delivering their products carbon negative with the option to subscribe and ensuring their efficacy rivals with supermarket competitors, Zero Co can convince everyday Aussies that it is actually really easy to make the switch and start taking small steps towards big change.
