It’s no secret that Australia is in the consumer spending doldrums, but there are ways specialist retailers like pharmacies can reach out and connect with customers, even in a downturn.
Eleven consecutive interest rate rises are biting. We’re spending less on household goods and clothing, according to the Commonwealth Bank’s 2023 Cost of Living Report, and we’re not very happy about it. The Westpac–Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment Index for July described the Australian public is “deeply pessimistic” about cost of living struggles.
But there are opportunities to connect with customers even in times of frugality. Another recent CommBank consumer insights report, this time focused on perceptions around the circular economy, shows that waste reduction is an important consumer decision driver.
The report found 75 percent of consumers at least sometimes choose brands for their waste reduction programs, and 34 percent are willing to pay more to support businesses that adopt circular principles.
It’s more important than ever that retailers and small businesses align their brand with their customers’ values.
In a retail setting, customer-facing waste reduction strategies like in-store recycling can help customers feel good about their purchasing decisions, cementing customer loyalty and driving incremental sales.
Pharmacies are a perfect example, as they both stock and discard a range of products and packaging which can’t be recycled kerbside.
Everything from disposable face masks and gloves, to products and packaging sold in personal care and beauty aisles like toothpaste tubes and brushes, razors, medicinal blister packs, makeup, and skincare products can be recycled, so long as it can be collected.
When people come in to drop off this kind of rubbish for recycling, it’s a great opportunity to share the positive impact of finding recycling solutions for these items. Sami from Chemist Outlet Discount Chemist Baulkham Hills says customers are jumping at the opportunity to recycle makeup, skincare, soft plastic food wrap, and more through their in-store recycling scheme.
“Customers are interested to hear about the program and the positive outcomes of being involved. It’s only new, but more people are discovering we are a drop-off point every day,” Sami says.
Plus, by providing an in-store recycling service for customers, businesses can also work towards their own waste-minimisation goals while boosting their customer service and brand profile.
How rubbish from pharmacies can be recycled
There is a technical recycling solution for virtually everything sold through pharmacies. Connecting customers with these solutions however, comes down to economics.
The costs involved in collecting, sorting and processing complex items often outweighs the value of the recycled material. When businesses, industry groups, and government agencies financially back these recycling processes, more waste is kept out of landfills and our environment.
Below are just a few examples of how different types of rubbish produced in the pharmaceutical and personal care industries can be recycled once they’ve been collected in-store.
Blister packs can be shredded and cleaned before the metal components are sorted and smelted for use in secondary metals manufacturing, and the plastics are sorted and mixed with other plastics to create recycled plastic blends.
Toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes are cleaned and separated by material type, with plastics pelletised and aluminium layers smelted into metal sheeting, ingots, or bar stock.
Razor blades and their packaging are broken down and separated by material. Clean plastics are pelletised, while metals are smelted into metal sheeting, ingots, or bar stock.
Beauty products like plastic mascara tubes and wands are cleaned, shredded, melted, and then reformatted into pellets. Any metals that come from items like skincare pumps and sprays are smelted into metal sheeting, ingots, or bar stock, while glass from mirrors can be pulverised for use in applications such as aggregate in construction materials.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves and masks are quarantined if necessary, then all materials are shredded. Metals are smelted and formed for use in secondary metals manufacturing, while clean plastics are sorted and mixed to create recycled plastic blends.
How retailers can get involved
There are many ways to implement in-store recycling solutions, no matter your business’ size or resources. TerraCycle can help you achieve this.
TerraCycle already works with market-leading retailers to make more recycling options freely available to consumers through brand sponsored programs. Major retailers in the pharmacy and personal care space like Priceline, Chemists’ Own, MECCA, and Sephora have seen a boost to customer engagement thanks to their recycling efforts.
Small businesses can leverage in-store recycling, too. Take the experience of Carmen Drive Community Pharmacy in Sydney, for example. Owner Susan says they use TerraCycle’s Zero Waste Boxes to draw in new customers and create lasting relationships. It’s a similar story for business owners using free programs to recycle for their community as public drop-off points. Nikki, owner of Manly’s BLAEK Store, says their recycling hub for dental hygiene products, razors and stationery has been welcomed with open arms.
If the information above has inspired you as a business leader, head to our recycling partnerships hub and submit an enquiry so we can provide recycling solutions tailored to your needs. Or, get in touch with our team for more information at anzsales@terracycle.com.
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