Going Circular
2023 AWARD COMMENDATION
Sponsored by ecostore
Solid is an oral care business that produces plastic-free products. Its goals are to change behaviour, reduce waste and improve oral health.
Solid is shaking up the oral care sector by eliminating waste in the design process and pioneering jar reuse and toothpaste refill in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Launched in Porirua in 2019, Solid’s toothpaste-in-a-jar products have saved more than 50,000 toothpaste tubes being used and dumped in landfill. When empty, the glass jars can be returned to more than 50 stockists or used again at one of 16 refill stations around the country.
The small business is also zero carbon and climate positive certified. Its products are dentally approved and its toothpaste, tablets and powders are vegan, cruelty and palm oil-free
By making beautiful, circular products that people love to use, Solid says it is inspiring people to make changes when they look at the climate and waste impacts of their ‘everyday’ purchases.
Sustainability is important in all areas of the business. Wherever possible Solid buys second-hand machinery, technology and office equipment. It works with suppliers to eliminate waste, and reuses materials so they don’t end up as waste. Orders are packed with paper from discarded books. Over the past year that has diverted 200 kilograms of paper from landfill. The business limits power and water use and washes and reuses its hand towels and cleaning cloths.
Solid plans to sell its products in New Zealand supermarkets and is hoping to expand to Australia and Singapore.