CREATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS

April 23, 2017

Developing planet-friendly new products can be like playing multiple games of chess all at the same time. Finding effective ingredients that are gentle on the environment, at a price point that makes the end-product affordable for the supermarket shopper is quite a challenge. No-one understands this better than Gill Worth, Earthwise’s product development chemist.

Gill started off her career as an environmental chemist but has extensive experience in the cosmetics and skin care industry after working on personal care products for the past eight years. A self-confessed ‘greenie’, Gill drives a 100% electric car to combat the ‘stop/start’ of Auckland traffic. With a range of more than 200km, costing a mere $7.50 to recharge each week, she is a complete convert. Gill loves working with a company that takes sustainability as seriously as she does.

“The idea of bringing products to the supermarket that use good ingredients that are safe for us and safe for the planet with good, solid claims data for performance is very exciting. There are new plant-based ingredients coming out all the time, so it’s a fast-moving area to work in.”

Over the last decade, Gill has noticed an increase in consumer influence on the type of ingredients coming to market: “New plant-based active ingredients are constantly being developed — and they are becoming more and more effective. It’s a fascinating field.

“These days the consumer is much better informed and more aware. If a product gets a bad review online, the whole world knows about it the next day. We live in a global village where discussions aren’t limited by geography.”

With parabens on the out, other preservatives will be next in the firing line according to GIll. Preservatives are necessary for product safety – so that goods can be opened and used multiple times over a three-month period – but consumers are demanding safe, plant-based ingredients to do the job.

Researching and considering the relative merits of new ingredients is an important part of Gill’s job at Earthwise. “I look for award-winning new ingredients and claims data. Ingredients are tested in a laboratory (in vitro), in vivo and in clinical volunteer trials by the manufacturer before they are considered ready for use. We then look carefully at their impact on the environment before they come under consideration at Earthwise.”

Why Earthwise?

When asked why Gill chose to work with Earthwise, she doesn’t hesitate: “Earthwise is very proactive when it comes to using new, gentle plant-based ingredients. They were one of the first companies to bring out supermarket personal care products that didn’t contain sodium coco sulphate (which is at least 50% sodium lauryl sulfate — a very irritating surfactant). When I looked at their formulations, I was very impressed.”

“My big goal is to be the best formulator in New Zealand, working for a company with strong ideals and ethics. We want to make great products accessible to everyone. It’s a case of staying ahead of the next new ingredient coupled with a focus on continuous improvement. At Earthwise, we keep working on choosing a gentler alternative to give consumers choice while improving product performance. I love being part of a team working together to achieve a common goal.”

Stay tuned for some exciting new products!

RELATED POSTS

  • Earthwise has the (eco-friendly) scoop!
    EARTHWISE HAS THE (ECO-FRIENDLY) SCOOP!

    First published on The Natural Parent Magazine. We have exciting news for eco-conscious laundry lovers!…

  • Earthwise oxy in a box!
    EARTHWISE OXY IN A BOX!

    We have exciting news for eco-conscious laundry lovers! Earthwise’s beloved Oxygenated Whitener has moved to a more sustainable packaging option – a box!

  • Earthwise – effective naturally
    EARTHWISE – EFFECTIVE NATURALLY

    A healthy home is increasingly at the forefront of our minds, with many parents now opting for gentle, eco-friendly cleaning products that are kinder for their families and the environment.

  • Good change takes time
    GOOD CHANGE TAKES TIME

    As recently as five years ago, environmentally-friendly products were still viewed as premium products - so Earthwise set about changing all that.

  • Caring for your world over the summer
    CARING FOR YOUR WORLD OVER THE SUMMER

    At Earthwise, we don't set out to change the world but we do believe that every little bit helps. Here's a few suggestions on how you can care your your world as a consumer.

  • Ways to defeat allergies
    WAYS TO DEFEAT ALLERGIES

    There are many different substances which can provoke an allergic reaction in certain people.

  • Introducing the earthwise action fund
    INTRODUCING THE EARTHWISE ACTION FUND SUPPORTING ENVIROSCHOOLS & TOIMATA FOUNDATION IN NZ

    Earthwise is proud to partner with Toimata Foundation to provide funding for sustainability driven projects across the Enviroschools and Te Aho Tū Roa networks.

  • Charlotte’s story: a family’s battle with eczema
    CHARLOTTE’S STORY: A FAMILY’S BATTLE WITH ECZEMA

    An Earthwise fan, Charlotte, shares her Daughter's battle with eczema.

  • Voted #1 NZ brand
    VOTED #1 NZ BRAND COMMITTED TO REDUCING ITS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT & #3 MOST LOVED NZ BRAND

    At the heart of our brand is you and we couldn’t do what we do without all the brand love!

  • New Zealand’s biggest earthwise fan: aurora’s story
    NEW ZEALAND’S BIGGEST EARTHWISE FAN: AURORA’S STORY

    Aurora is a second generation Earthwise fan who grew up in a family that believed strongly in using natural products - read more here for Aurora's full story.

  • Packaging recycling – doing our bit
    PACKAGING RECYCLING – DOING OUR BIT

    We all know the 3 R's - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, what about Refuse, Rehome and Rot!

  • The starfish story – caring for our world
    THE STARFISH STORY – CARING FOR OUR WORLD

    Originally by Loren Eisley. We love this story. It captures the values that were first pioneered by our founder Tom Robinson in the 1960's.