Why hasn’t SC Johnson launched a concentrate before?
Sales data shows that U.S. consumers prefer not to refill their household cleaning bottles. While concentrates have always seemed like a good idea, as a responsible business that’s accountable to the 12,000 people who work here and around the world, we have tried to focus on products that have the best chance of succeeding in the marketplace.
So why test it now in the U.S.?
In April, our Chairman and CEO, Fisk Johnson, spoke at the 2011 Fortune Brainstorm Green conference. He talked about the challenge of getting U.S. consumers to adopt concentrates, and his remarks received an enthusiastic response. That energized us to get Windex® Mini concentrated refill pouches into the hands of U.S. consumers as quickly as possible.
Why launch if it’s risky from a business standpoint?
As Fisk has explained, "Refilling is an example of a very small behavior change that could make a real difference in minimizing waste. But many people don't want the inconvenience. We want to crack the code and figure out what it would take to make concentrated refills an accepted – even demanded – choice."
At the end of the day, we think there ought to be more green choices, and there ought to be information available that helps people understand the positive impact that greener choices can make. That's what this product test – and this website – is all about.
We took a similar step back in 2001, when we created our Greenlist™ process to help our chemists select better ingredients and phase out less desirable ones. It took time and investment, but it was worth it. As an example, since 2005, we've cut nearly 48 million pounds of VOCs from our products.
The product seems expensive – why is that?
You’re right. It is a bit more costly than buying a bottle at the grocery store. When products are sold at retail outlets, they’re transported by the truckload. That means the “shipping and handling” costs are spread out across thousands of bottles of product. For this test, we’re shipping to individual homes, so there are fewer economies of scale. The good news is, if we succeed and this test gets concentrates on store shelves nationwide, the price would likely be as good or better than the price of a bottled product.
How many bottles do I get from one pouch?
Mixed with water, each pouch fills a single 26 fl. oz. bottle with cleaner. However, if you have a larger, 32 fl. oz. bottle, simply leave a few inches of space at the top and the product will work just fine. Each order of Windex® Mini concentrated refill pouches from this site includes 3 pouches.
Does my order come with an empty bottle for refilling?
We aren't shipping empty Windex® bottles with orders since one goal in this test launch was to minimize the size and weight of the shipments. If you don't have a Windex® bottle on hand, a clean 26 fl. oz. spray bottle will work. However, it's important to note that we recommend using an actual 26 fl. oz. Windex® bottle. The bottle is clear and already labeled, so you you can easily identify what’s inside and refer to the proper usage instructions. Also, using a Windex® bottle ensures the concentrate is not being mixed with any other cleaning products or ingredients like bleach.
How do I clean my existing 26 fl. oz. Windex® bottle so I can refill it?
Simply rinse it with warm water. For the trigger dip tube, submerge it in a couple inches of warm, clean water and spray a few times. This should clean out any residue and clear the tube for the new liquid.
How do I use Windex® Mini concentrated refill pouch?
In just three small steps – cut, pour, add water – it's an easy, greener choice:
1. Cut the corner of the pouch.
2. Pour contents into an empty and clean 26 fl. oz. Windex® trigger bottle.
3. Once pouch is completely emptied, slowly fill the trigger bottle with tap water.
Is the pouch recyclable?
Unfortunately, it’s not. At this point, we haven’t found a pouch that’s durable enough to transport a liquid safely and is also recyclable. We’re going to keep looking.
How can you say it’s “green” when I had to have it shipped to my house?
We wish you could buy it at your nearest grocery store! But to get retailers to start stocking concentrates, we need a groundswell of demand. That’s the goal of this test - to get the dialogue about concentrates started and hopefully start a revolution. Since online sales and shipments are a necessary part of it, we're planning to offset each shipment as part of the purchase. It's not as good as avoiding the shipping miles altogether, but it's a start while we work toward making concentrates more readily available.
Why does the packaging have a cardboard insert?
The insert is important for two reasons. First, it gives extra stability to the package so it's less likely to be crushed during shipping. Second, it protects the pouches from being punctured if you cut the tape with something sharp when you open the box.
Is this the same Windex® Original I get in the bottle?
It’s close, but due to being concentrated, it’s a slightly different formula. This formula is designed to provide the great results you expect from the Windex® brand despite the variability of different tap waters and dilution levels.
What can I do to help create the concentrate revolution?
Try Windex® Mini concentrated refill pouch and give us your thoughts by visiting the Comments tab on this page. Please tell your friends. And tell the manager at your favorite store that you want to see Windex® Mini sold there, too!