P&G Pilots Green Sugarcane Packaging

The Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G) plans to use renewable, sustainable, sugarcane-derived plastic on selected packaging for its Pantene Pro-V, CoverGirl and Max Factor brands.

Sugarcane-derived plastic is unlike traditional plastic, which is made from non-renewable petroleum. The new material is made in a process that transforms sugarcane into high-density polyethylene plastic, a substance commonly used for product packaging. P&G says the substance is 100-percent recyclable in existing municipal recycling facilities.

P&G will source the sugarcane-derived plastic from Braskem SA, a company that manufactures the material using ethanol made from sustainably grown Brazilian sugarcane. The pilot will be rolled out globally over the next two years. The first products are expected to hit the shelves next year.