Have you ever stopped to think about what really happens to the packaging of your favourite products after you’ve used up what's inside? For most of us, the answer is “It goes in the recycling bin”. But recycling isn’t as straightforward as it seems. For instance, what types of plastics does your municipality accept? Do containers need to be washed out? Should you remove the labels? What about caps? Navigating these questions can be confusing, and mistakes can lead to contamination, rendering entire batches of recyclables unusable.
For decades, consumer goods brands have operated with little consideration for the end-of-life stage of their packaging. Sure, you might see a “100% recyclable” label on some products, but here’s the uncomfortable truth: while many types of plastic are technically recyclable, an astonishing 90% of plastics never actually get recycled. Instead, they end up in landfills, oceans, or incinerators.
The Problem of Responsibility: Who Should Take Charge?
When you toss a shampoo bottle or soap container into the recycling bin, who should bear the ultimate responsibility for ensuring it doesn’t end up in a landfill or contaminate the recycling process? Is it you, the consumer, tasked with understanding complex recycling rules? Or should responsibility lie with the companies that design and produce the packaging? What about the retailers who profit from selling these products, or governments that create and enforce waste management regulations?
The truth is, the current system disproportionately shifts the burden onto consumers, while producers wash their hands of responsibility. You’re expected to decipher what’s recyclable and how to clean and sort it correctly—all while managing the pressures of daily life. Even with the best intentions, many consumers face recycling systems that are inconsistent, confusing, or inaccessible. Meanwhile, producers and retailers continue to generate a steady stream of single-use, non-recyclable packaging, often with little thought for its environmental consequences.
This raises an essential question: Who should take responsibility for the end life of packaging—manufacturers, retailers, governments, or consumers?
Increasingly, experts argue that the answer lies in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Under this model, producers bear the primary accountability for the environmental impact of their packaging, from design to disposal. This includes designing products with recyclability and reusability in mind, funding recycling infrastructure, and implementing take-back programs. For example, companies like Goodwash Soap are already leading the way by adopting refillable, reusable packaging and managing return systems to reduce waste.
Retailers, too, play a crucial role. By choosing to stock products with sustainable packaging, educating consumers about waste reduction options, or providing packaging collection services, they can influence the market and support circular systems. Governments must also create regulatory frameworks that enforce producer accountability, provide infrastructure for recycling, and ensure consistent education for consumers.
Consumers still have a role to play, but it should shift from being the sole line of defence against waste to becoming partners in a system where the responsibility is shared. The path forward lies in collaboration. Producer responsibility isn’t just about assigning blame—it’s about creating a system where all stakeholders contribute to reducing waste and protecting our planet.
Time for Brands to Step Up
For consumers striving to make better choices, the options remain frustratingly scarce. Take a walk down the personal care aisle of any major retailer, and nearly every product is packaged in plastic. This glaring lack of alternatives forces eco-conscious shoppers into a difficult position—having to choose between their values and their everyday needs. It's a problem that highlights the urgent need for brands to step up and offer solutions that align with the growing demand for environmentally responsible packaging.
At Goodwash Soap, we believe in challenging the status quo. That’s why we’ve embraced a truly circular approach to packaging. Instead of leaving it up to you to figure out how to keep our packaging out of the landfill, we take it back. Yes, you read that right—we take full responsibility.
Our packaging is made from durable, refillable aluminum containers designed to be used again and again. Once you’ve finished your soap, you return the empty packaging to us. We clean it, refill it, and send it back out into the world. This way, we’re closing the loop and ensuring that nothing goes to waste.
Is It a Little “Out There”? Maybe. But It’s Necessary
Imagine this: every time you use a Goodwash Soap product, you’re part of a mini-revolution. Instead of tossing another plastic bottle in the bin and hoping it’ll somehow be recycled, you’re actively helping to create a system that works. Doesn’t that feel good?
We’re not just talking about saving the planet—though that’s a big part of it. We’re talking about changing the story of consumer goods. It’s about ditching the “buy, use, toss” mindset and embracing a future where every container has a second, third, or tenth life. Sure, it might seem unconventional, but the environmental cost of our disposable habits is too high to ignore. It’s time for a change, and we’re asking you to be part of it.
By choosing products from brands that prioritize sustainability and take responsibility for their packaging, you’re sending a powerful message: the era of wasteful, single-use packaging is over. Together, we can push the industry toward a future where producer responsibility is the standard, not the exception. Are you ready to join us in rethinking the way we consume?
What do you think? Drop us a line at support@goodwashsoap.ca to let us know.