Discover how Diversey is reducing plastic waste and advancing the circular economy with sustainable packaging made from post-consumer recycled plastic.
At Solenis, sustainability is embedded in everything we do from how we operate to how we innovate. As a global leader in water and hygiene solutions, we partner with customers to solve their toughest sustainability challenges, helping them conserve natural resources, reduce emissions and minimize waste. Our ESG+C™ strategy is focused on three key priorities: enabling water stewardship, promoting circular solutions and driving carbon reduction all while delivering measurable value.
Packaging plays a critical role in advancing this vision. At Diversey, a Solenis company, we recognize our responsibility to lead the way to transition to a circular economy by reducing plastic waste, innovating sustainable packaging solutions, and integrating recycled materials into our products.
To explore this topic further, we sat down with our Vice President of Sustainability, Daniel Daggett, to ask him 10 key questions about Diversey’s plastic reduction strategy and the company’s vision for a circular economy. Our commitment to environmental stewardship goes beyond a single initiative it is embedded in our long-term vision, called ESG+C, to create a circular economy, minimize our carbon footprint, and support global efforts to reduce plastic pollution.
In this discussion, we address key questions about how our plastic reduction efforts are evolving and how customers play a vital role in this journey.
Our long-term strategy focuses on the Circular Economy, and we pursue that goal with three core principles: reducing, reusing, and recycling. Our goal is to have 100% of our packaging contribute positively to the Circular Economy, using the material circularity index (MCI) to measure success. We aim to minimize our use of virgin plastic by transitioning to post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic, innovating sustainable packaging solutions, reducing packaging by increasing the concentration of the products we provide, improving recyclability, and investing in closed-loop recycling systems. By 2025, we are committed to transitioning 98% of our internally sourced 5L canisters in European plants to at least 50% PCR plastic, significantly reducing our reliance on virgin materials and cutting carbon emissions.
In fact, this inclusion of PCR plastic in packaging of products diluted 1:10 provides a 5% improvement resulting in an MCI score of approximately 0.99, a nearly perfect index.
Our fundamental goal is measured by the MCI, which is partially based on the recycled content of the package. This goal drives our actions for increasing our use of recycled materials and exploring biodegradable alternatives. While some packaging requires specific properties for durability and hygiene, we are actively researching solutions that allow us to maximize recycled content without compromising performance. Our ultimate goal is to transition to fully sustainable packaging wherever possible, supporting a circular economy and reducing overall waste.
Our transition to PCR plastic aligns with our ESG+C® (Environmental, Social, Governance + Customer) strategy, which emphasizes sustainable innovation, operational efficiency, and customer collaboration. An important goal from our ESG+C approach is to have 90% of our innovations focused on sustainability, including packaging improvements. By integrating sustainability into our packaging, we not only reduce our own environmental impact but also help our customers meet their ESG goals—particularly in reducing Scope 3 emissions.
Diversey is implementing initiatives such as refillable and reusable systems, concentrated product formulas that require less packaging, and digital solutions that optimize product usage to minimize waste. We are piloting some packaging take-back programs and have an initiative called PlasticShreds, where empty packaging can be repurposed as a building material. We are also working on reducing secondary and tertiary packaging materials, ensuring that every aspect of our supply chain contributes to our sustainability objectives.
We partner with reputable suppliers who adhere to strict environmental and ethical standards. Our PCR plastic is sourced from post-consumer waste streams, ensuring that we are repurposing materials that would otherwise contribute to landfill waste. We conduct thorough quality checks to ensure that recycled plastic meets our high-performance and safety standards.
Collaboration is key to making meaningful progress in sustainability. Through our Creating Shared Value Programs, we partner with customers and NGOs to tackle shared social and environmental challenges. Programs like Soap For Hope™ and Linens For Life™ repurpose discarded hotel soap and linens, promoting hygiene, reducing waste, and offering livelihood opportunities to local communities. By integrating these initiatives, we enhance our sustainability efforts and create meaningful impacts in the communities where we operate.
We also recently signed an MOU with the Corsair Group to collect and recycle empty Diversey packaging in Thailand. While this initiative is limited in scope today, it will help us create similar programs around the world.
Our dedication to sustainability is reflected in our Cradle to Cradle Certified®, EU Ecolabel, and Nordic Swan Ecolabel products, which meet rigorous environmental and performance criteria. These certifications ensure our products are safe, effective, and designed with the environment in mind. Additionally, we continuously evaluate and develop new formulas and solutions to expand our eco-certified range, reinforcing our commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Yes, we are continuously researching and testing alternative materials, including biodegradable and compostable options. However, our primary focus is on enhancing the recyclability and reuse potential of our existing packaging, ensuring that it aligns with current waste management infrastructure and supports long-term sustainability. Today, very few of our customers have access to composting options near their facilities, so it’s critical that we continue to improve the recyclability, reuse potential of our products while, and reducing the packaging footprint.
Customers are an essential part of our ESG+C ® strategy. By choosing Diversey’s PCR packaging, customers can reduce their Scope 3 carbon emissions while supporting the circular economy. We encourage customers to engage in sustainable purchasing practices, proper recycling, and waste reduction initiatives, helping us collectively drive a more sustainable future.
Our shift to PCR plastic aligns with global sustainability trends, including the European Union’s Circular Economy Action Plan and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By proactively adapting our packaging solutions, we help customers meet evolving regulatory requirements while driving industry-wide change.
Governments and regulatory bodies worldwide are tightening restrictions on single-use plastics and encouraging the adoption of recycled materials. The Directive (EU) 2019/904 sets stringent targets for reducing single-use plastics, mandating a 75% recyclability rate for single-use plastic cups and food containers by 2024, increasing to 90% by 2027. Another EU regulation shaping our innovation roadmap is the focus on transitioning food service operators from single-use plastics to reusable plastic ware. In response, Diversey has specifically developed a solution to meet the challenges of washing and drying reusable plastics. The combination of Suma PolyWash L56R, a heavy-duty machine ware washing detergent, and Suma PolyDry A9, a concentrated neutral rinse aid, forms a comprehensive solution for every type and shape of reusable ware, no matter the soil or smell.
Transparency is critical to our sustainability commitments. Diversey has reported MCI progress in our sustainability reports. Now that we are part of Solenis, the packaging goal has expanded to cover the whole company, and we will be reporting on MCI across the whole organization in future reports. Our progress is reported in our annual sustainability report, which outlines our achievements, challenges, and next steps.
Diversey is committed to reducing plastic waste and driving sustainable innovation. By transitioning to PCR plastic, collaborating with partners, and supporting circular economy initiatives, we are taking decisive action to minimize our environmental impact. At the same time, we empower our customers to make responsible choices that contribute to a healthier planet.
We invite you to join us on this journey toward a more sustainable future. Together, we can make a difference in reducing plastic waste and building a cleaner, greener world.