10 million plastic packaging saved: GROHE launches initiative to reduce plastic

• LIXIL EMENA has set itself the goal of creating plastic-free product packaging for its GROHE brand by 2021
• Thanks to the initiative, approx.10 million plastic packaging could already be saved until today
• Cooperation with Pacific Garbage Screening (PGS) supports common vision to reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste

 

 

. In 2018, GROHE, a leading global brand for complete bathroom solutions and kitchen

fittings, launched its initiative to replace plastic in product packaging with more

sustainable alternatives. Until today, approximately 10 million items of product packaging

made from plastic could be eliminated; by 2021, this figure is to be significantly increased

to up to 35 million.

The transition to plastic-free packaging is a process that involves all production sites

equally. In addition to identifying the most commonly used plastic packaging, new, more

sustainable alternative materials must be researched, tested and then implemented.

“Offering plastic-free packaging is part of our comprehensive 360-degree sustainability

approach, whichequallyincludes employees, suppliers, customers, processes, products and

our contribution to society. For us, as a brand, it is important to constantly review existing

processes from the perspective of sustainability,” says Thomas Fuhr, COO Fittings LIXIL

International and CEO of Grohe AG. “The mission to achieve entirely plastic-free product

packaging by 2021 is an important step in our contribution to the fight against the global

plastic waste problem.”

This is also where GROHE Blue comes in: The water system offers still, medium or sparkling

water directly from the kitchen tap – filtered and chilled to the optimum drinking

temperature for a perfect taste. This way, a family of four can on average save up to 800

plastic bottles per year.

Pacific Garbage Screening& GROHE united against plastic waste

 

The goal of reducing plastic waste is also strengthened by the cooperation with Marcella

Hansch, founder of Pacific Garbage Screening e.V. Both partners share the vision of

achieving clean water by reducing plastic waste in oceans and rivers. The trained architect

is developing a water platform that collects plastic waste in rivers before it is flushed into

the oceans. GROHE does not only support this project financially – both partners want to

raise public awareness of the plastic problem and make people aware of a more sustainable

lifestyle.

In addition to the initiative against plastic waste, the global brand is pursuing a clearly

defined carbon strategy: As one of the leading manufacturers in the sanitary industry,

GROHE’s production has been carbon-neutral since April 1^st. To this end, the brand

converted all LIXIL EMENA production plants to green electricity in July 2019. The sanitary

manufacturer offsets so far unavoidable CO₂emissions through compensation projects and

supports activities that are based on very high standards, such as the Gold Standard,

developed under the leadership of the WWF.