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Environmentally friendly products
Since 1989, Oecoplan offers an environmentally friendly alternative to almost every conventional household, gardening and DIY product. As such, Oecoplan is recommended by the WWF. Thanks to Oecoplan, you can protect the environment both now and in the future, without having to compromise on quality or put a strain on your wallet.
Oecoplan focuses on the responsible management of key resources such as soil, water and air. Each Oecoplan product has clear requirements based on strict environmental guidelines. The WWF has been supporting our concept and recommending Oecoplan for years. Oecoplan must also achieve the same good results as conventional products. This is our promise.
Oecoplan was established 30 years ago following an idea from individual Coop employees – the protection of nature was a matter close to their hearts. The first product was sustainable potatoes. As a retailer, we took our responsibility for the environment seriously from very early on. Oecoplan became the first own-label sustainability brand in Switzerland and now comprises over 2 500 products. Oecoplan products are now recommended by the WWF.
Oecoplan products prove that environmental protection and quality are not mutually exclusive. From the raw ingredients through to the composition, processing and packaging, each Oecoplan product has to meet the strict environmental criteria of independent quality labels. This includes the environmentally friendly use of raw ingredients, efficient use of resources and the reuse of waste through conscious recycling.
Wherever possible, we rely on strict criteria (quality labels) and independent checks by recognized organizations for the Oecoplan range. For example, customers can now identify sustainable Oecoplan products more quickly thanks to the WWF logo. Many of these partnerships have been around since the launch of Oecoplan 30 years ago. We have been able to develop lots of environmentally friendly product innovations in close cooperation with these partners.
We set ourselves strict standards for Oecoplan products, but we also have stringent requirements in terms of the working conditions at the production facilities. As part of the Business Social Compliance Initiative, we have committed to having our suppliers and manufacturers inspected by an independent body in at-risk countries. Minimum social requirements must be met in terms of the environment, equal treatment, forced and child labour, working hours, salaries and working conditions.
The following symbols on packaging serve as a helpful guide:
The term "microplastics" refers to synthetic polymers (plastics) in solid, liquid or soluble form that have been deliberately added to a product. These may be solid microplastic particles (known as microbeads) that are used, for instance, in cosmetics such as exfoliating scrubs, face washes and lipsticks. Semi-solid plastics include thickeners, film formers and opacifiers – which may be added to products such as cosmetics, detergents and cleaning agents – as well as films made from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). None of these substances are biodegradable, or are only poorly biodegradable.
Coop Oecoplan products labelled "No microplastics" thus do not contain any solid or semi-solid polymers or PVA films that are added to the product to achieve a specific function (abrasiveness, film-forming, opacifying, etc.).
A product is considered biodegradable if microorganisms can break it down into its fundamental components such as carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and other minerals. Degradation speed is analysed using standardized tests. The level of degradation within the defined testing time is expressed as a percentage.
Coop Oecoplan products are labelled as biodegradable (along with a minimum percentage value) if there is evidence of the removal of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) of more than 95% after 14 days, or more than 90% after 14 days and more than 97% after 28 days. Mineralization – the breakdown into fundamental components – is measured on the basis of CO2 production and must reach a value of at least 70% after 28 days. The evidence of biodegradability is determined by an independent certified laboratory with good laboratory practice (GLP), in line with the OECD 302B method with DOC and CO2 analysis or a proven equivalent testing method.
