Reducing Single Use Plastic How Retail can lead the change in your Institution Judy Rancour ZAG Board President Director of Retail Operations Saint Louis Zoo The evidence is hard to miss The plastic we discard at home and work often ends up in our waterways local regional global ID: 768105
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Reducing Single Use Plastic How Retail can lead the change in your Institution Judy Rancour ZAG Board President Director of Retail Operations Saint Louis Zoo
The evidence is hard to miss. The plastic we discard at home and work often ends up in our waterways – local, regional, global
What is Plastic used for? UNEP (2018). SINGLE-USE PLASTICS:A Roadmap for Sustainability
In 2015, plastic packaging waste accounted for 47% of the plastic waste generated globally – the US is the largest generator of plastic packaging waste on a per-capita basis. UNEP (2018). SINGLE-USE PLASTICS:A Roadmap for Sustainability 21% of the global single use plastic distribution occurs in North America Adapted from ICIS Supply and demand database (2014)
As an individual institution what can we do to begin to address the problem of single use plastic in our retail space?? Where are the problems spots? How many categories can you identify in the current gift shop inventory? Can we live without them? Are there available substitutes now to replace either the item or category which the visitor is willing to support? What are the financial impacts? Units sold Revenue generated Profit margin
Step 1 – Identifying the problem spots Toys Polybags have no secondary use Boxed sets have acetate windows Novelty items are covered by plastic clamshell packaging
Step 1 – Identifying the problem spots Plush Fabric Fill material Tags – paper or fabric Ink Plastic bag inners in shipping cartons Plastic tape on cartons
What’s happening now? Is there light at the end of this tunnel ? Fortunately, the answer is yes! And here are a few solutions available now or in early 2020.
What’s happening now - Toys Boxed sets with acetate windows are on the way out Redesigned boxed sets are open and easy for the visitor to touch
What’s happening now - Toys Single use polybag replaced with reusable options in mesh, zipper or snap closure for storage.
What’s happening now - Toys Removing the clamshell cover Creating a multi use package that doubles as a storage option
What’s happening now – Wild Republic
What’s happening now – Wild Republic Wild Republic has looked beyond their product to insure the packaging is also eco-friendly with bio-degradable cartons and hangtags.
What’s happening now - Aurora Plush updates New hang tags
What’s happening now - Aurora Aurora has taken the initiative one step further by addressing the unseen components of plush toys: Shipping cartons J-hooks Plastic tag pins
What’s happening now – Wildlife Artists By removing unnecessary beans / pellets from our plush in 2013, we have saved over 300 tons of plastic. By eliminating the plastic inner bags in cartons, we will save over 200,000 bags annually. Transitioning to micro-plastic free. Will never use sequins or glitter.
What’s Happening Now – Petting Zoo 2020 Has committed to using recycled plastic water bottles to make their plush Also uses recycled fill and tag materials
What’s Happening now - Apparel New fabrics incorporating recycled plastic water bottles are gaining traction with the consumer. The environmental benefits are measurable: # of plastic water bottles diverted from landfill # gallons of water conserved compared to conventionally dyed poly cotton fabric # BTU’s of energy conserved by using recycled plastic.
Where do we go from here? Identify the problem spots Replacing offending categories with smart alternatives Conscious buying decisions Planning for change Educating your staff Letting the visitor know the what and why of the changes
Sending the right message: Signage Training
Be the change that you wish to see in the world. Mahatma Ghandi