The New Packaging is Great...Here's Why

Before RADIUS embarks on making a new product, we put the concept through an evaluation to make sure that we are not just making some more landfill in the name of progress. Here's why we decided to go with the new packaging: 1) Less waste plastic. 2) Save30%on shipping costs. 3) Less fuel used in transportation.

Less waste plastic

While the idea of reusable travel case packaging is a good one, our customers were still getting a new hunk of plastic with each purchase, resulting in dedicated RADIUS users piling up multiple travel cases in their bathrooms.

We went back to the drawing board to find a way of reducing the total material consumption.

Our research led to a lightweight modified clamshell design. This format protects the toothbrush, allows customers in stores to see the product, and most importantly, uses very few resources.

A further advantage is that in the future we will transfer the clear shell from oil-based plastic to 100% renewable resource plant-based plastic - fully compostable. The card backing is recycleable and in future will be made of post-consumer recycled paper.

Save 30% on shipping costs

Switching to our new packaging has allowed us to rethink our shipping methods. We now offer both UPS and USPS shipping which - depending on your location - can save you an average of 30%.

Less fuel used in transportation

An often overlooked factor in packaging and shipping is the hidden environmental impact of fuel. Simply put, the less something weighs the less fuel it will take to move it from one place to another.

In a world were precious fossil fuel resources are being depleted at an alarming rate it is important to conserve by any means possible. By switching to our new lightweight packaging we have shaved 30% off our fuel consumption in shipping. Our calculations indicate that we will conserve 5700 gallons of fossil fuel per year*.

* fuel consumption data provided by Center for Energy and Climate Solutions (CECS).

The History of Radius Packaging

Packaging is a field that is in permanent evolution.

We started in 1983 with a simple cardboard folding box, but soon discovered that customers ripped open the box to see the color and shape of the toothbrush inside.

We moved to clear plastic folding boxes - no opened boxes but the carton became plastic trash, once opened.

In 1992 we started manufacturing plastic boxes that doubled as packaging to sell and ship in as well as a container to carry your toothbrush on trips or protect it in the bathroom. These containers had a long and useful life before being recycled. The unique problem was that many customers have complained about having multiple RADIUS travel cases, picked up over the years. The plastic box, although recyclable, was also heavy and consumed a lot of fuel in shipping.

In 2005 we started investigating lighter packaging and the potential of plant based plastics. The amount of freight used in distribution of our products represents a major part of its energy use profile A decision was made to change to a new type of package, called a mock clamshell. The clear plastic front is very light and the card can be made from recycled materials.

We planned on using NatureWorks® PLA, a 100% corn based, compostable plastic for the front panel. Thus far we do not have the durability required for a package that sells from a store shelf. NatureWorks® assures us that they will have this achieved very shortly and we will make the final step in our attempt to make more environmentally responsible packaging.

Responsible Manufacturing

RADIUS makes all of its own products - we recycle all imperfect products and produce no waste materials. We control all the materials to ensure that no heavy metals or carcinogenic substances could be part of the product. We do not test on animals and insist that all of our material suppliers do not.

RADIUS is commited to making environmentally friendly products - our rules are: Make your own toothbrushes and know how much energy is expended on them.

Control the material inputs to ensure that your products contain pure and responsibly resourced materials.

Use renewable resource materials for toothbrush handles.

Make products that last a long time.