Eco-Friendly Developments

New Packaging Developments

As part of our commitment to the environment, our factory research and development team has investigated a number of possibilities for more eco-friendly source materials for our plastic bottles.

> Testing was done on a PLA biodegradable polymer material, from which we created some sample bottles. The appearance and other properties were not perfect. Bottles had a yellowish tint and very poor 'impact resistance' properties (very fragile).

> Other materials considered were biodegradable cornstarch polymers under trade names Cereplast and Bioplast. From the perspective of packaging properties, these materials have proven to have very poor barrier properties (high water permeability). which meant a significant of product decreased in volume, as the water actually evaporated through the bottle material.

These materials are degradable under industrial composting conditions only. However, the thickness of the material necessary for firm bottles would prevent the material from meeting industrial composting scheme criteria.  So in reality both materials above would end up in landfill where it would not bio-degrade properly (biological conditions - moisture, temperature and micro-organisms - are unsuitable).

> Post Consumer Recycled HDPE (high-density polyethylene)

plastic has been chosen as the most environmentally friendly solution This does not have any negative side effects for either the environment or the packaging performance. This plastic originates from recycling centres across the UK. Plastic bottles are recycled and ground down into pellets; these are then melted and used to blow-mould new bottles.

Post Consumer Recycled plastics are considered the most environmentally friendly option for the following reasons:

·         RE USE - uses recycled plastic that would otherwise (not having been recycled) be destined for landfill.
·         RECYCLE - they are fully recyclable again.
·         QUALITY - they are compatible with liquid toiletries, are durable and do not leak over time.

New Formulation Developments

Pacific Direct has sourced organic & natural ingredients for several years, and natural formulations have been created by our R&D team for the past 18months. The premier consideration will always be the safety of the product and performance.

All of our naturally formulated products have been developed with the aim of excluding the two most reviled ingredients:


PARABENS

Parabens are the most widely used preservatives in cosmetic products. Typically, more than one paraben is used in a product, and they are often used in combination with other types of preservatives to provide preservation against a broad range of micro-organisms. The use of mixtures of parabens allows the use of lower levels while increasing preservative activity.  The controversy surrounding parabens focuses on their alleged oestrogenic activity and potential carcinogenicity, and is based on a single study published in 2004.

Pacific Direct's Chemist uses alternative preservatives (approved in the EU Cosmetic Directive) to Parabens, wherever possible for our products.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)

SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) is a chemical surfactant (incorrectly used as a synonym for Sodium Laureth Sulfate); This detergent removes oil and dirt from hair and skin. It also alters water surface tension, creating a lather that aids the even distribution of the product.

Global media agencies have questioned the safety of SLS, claiming it to be carcinogenic and an irritant. Cosmetic Ingredient Review http://www.cir-safety.org/ (an independent company affiliated with the US Food and Drug Administration agency) has fully assessed the safety of SLS. Though found to be a skin irritant, it was denied that it would have any carcinogenic properties and deemed safe in rinse-off products. 
SLES, though able to cause irritation in high concentration, (as with any detergent) was found to be absolutely safe as presently used in cosmetic products. Pacific Direct uses only SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate), which has been proven to be the safer of the two ingredients.

Read more about ingredients and their definitions in the attached document below

Read more about our environmental policy and our impact on society here  http://www.pacificdirect.co.uk/en/content/1/560202/our-impact-on-society.html