SC Johnson Leads Global Efforts Toward Zero Waste

SC Johnson, a manufacturer of household brands, aims to inspire families, communities, and organizations to unite in building a more sustainable world, accelerating the transition to a circular economy. As part of this vision, the company conducted a survey targeting Mexican families on March 30, in commemoration of International Zero Waste Day, to understand the necessary actions for building a better future for the next generation. 

Results revealed that 91% of those surveyed believed themselves to be informed about environmental issues, with 88% claiming to do everything possible to care for the planet. However, when asked about their understanding of sustainability and environmental concepts, a lack of knowledge was evident. Only 43% were aware of sustainable development, and just 30% claimed to be informed about the concept of a circular economy.

The study unveiled that although parents indicated prioritizing sustainability at home, few have integrated these actions into their daily lives. While 93% of respondents ensured that environmental care is a priority in their households, only 49% declared taking concrete measures at home to reduce their environmental impact, with the reuse of packaging being the most implemented measure at 67%.

Survey findings confirm a superficial knowledge of the subject, which is crucial for achieving quantitative progress. As part of its global strategy, SC Johnson has been committed to reducing waste generated in its operations for over a generation. Since 2019, its factories worldwide have ceased sending manufacturing waste to landfills, with other facilities working toward the same goal.

At the national level, the company’s plant in Toluca has operated under a Zero Waste philosophy for over six years, preventing over 430t of waste from being sent to landfills in the past five years alone. Currently, the plant recycles up to 80,000kg of packaging monthly, in addition to reusing over 1.4 million L of water. 

Globally, the company implements creative solutions to minimize waste, such as collecting and reusing wastewater, recycling paper and plastic waste, and using biomass to heat water in production. In 2023, SC Johnson was recognized as a leader in the Household and Personal Care Products industry in the fight against plastic waste by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).  

According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, SC Johnson has made notable strides in meeting its key commitments. Since 2018, the company has reduced its use of virgin plastic by 28%, with a target of reaching 30% by 2025. Additionally, SC Johnson has been actively incorporating post-consumer recycled plastic into its packaging, aiming for at least 25% by 2025, of which they have already achieved 22%. Furthermore, initiatives like in-store refill systems have made 9% of the company's plastic packaging reusable.

In addition to focusing on improving the circularity of its products, SC Johnson also invested in a significant digitization project to advance the ability to measure, analyze, and report essential sustainability metrics, such as plastic usage, which are often difficult for companies to track.