Signify aims to be plastic packaging free by 2021

Eric Rondolat, CEO of Signify, said, “Plastic waste has a negative impact on our planet and its biodiversity and we decided that we must take a leading role and start using plastic-free alternatives. It is the right thing to do and meets the increasing expectations of our customers."

The LED lighting specialist already uses 80% recycled paper for its packaging. And by phasing out plastic used for consumer product packaging, the company will aim to avoid the use of over 2,500 tonnes of plastics per year. “I look forward to the moment that we can announce that we no longer use plastics in our packaging,” he added. Signify claims that replacing blister packs with paper-based box packaging will be sequenced across its product portfolio and different regions, starting with LED bulbs in Europe in the third quarter of 2020, and the rest of the world following from the start of 2021.

The company already started replacing plastic blister packaging for its LED lamps with paper-based materials in the pacific region. “When we replaced our packaging in the pacific region, customers said that it was more appealing and environmentally friendly," said Rondolat.

In addition, the company has removed plastic inserts from Philips Hue bulb packaging and selected paper foam to package its recently launched Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync box.

The company claims that it has achieved carbon neutrality in 15 of its 19 markets. In 2019, Signify was recognised as an industry leader in Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the third year in a row.