PortionPac Chemical Company manufactures and markets highly concentrated, pre-measured cleaning products to large commercial facilities such as schools and correctional facilities. The products are created such that they reduce the resources used throughout the product lifecycle, minimize the adverse effects of chemicals on the environment, and eliminate unsafe and ineffective habits of traditional cleaning procedures.
Innovation
Business Benefit - Products made of 90% water are routinely shipped around the world in multi-gallon drums, only to be emptied and discarded. By reducing the volume of the solutions, PortionPac reduces the amount of the packaging in shipping and conserves energy needed to transport the heavy materials.
Societal Benefit - By providing customers with single-use, highly concentrated solutions, PortionPac calculates how much product should be used over a given timeframe. It works with its customers to teach them about proper dilution ratios. If PortionPac finds that a customer is re-ordering its supply too soon, PortionPac will help them to identify areas where too much product is being used. Whereas other cleaning supply companies simply sell their products, PortionPac focuses on being accountable to its customers. Its unique focus on teaching customers helps to control the amount of product that is being used and the amount of waste that gets discarded.
Additionally, PortionPac has a strong commitment to making safe and environmentally friendly products. PortionPac committed to the Green Seal Certification (a scientific environmental certification organization) process. "We reviewed every product we manufacture in light of Green Seal's requirements and have made those changes necessary to certify an extensive list of products, with more on the way", states President, Marvin Klein.
Impact
One of the most obvious long-term impacts of PortionPac's work has been the introduction of highly concentrated, pre-measured cleaning products into the industry. Since concentrated solutions reduce the energy spent in production, transportation, distribution and storage, this pre-measured practice has become increasingly popular with both commercial and retail cleanser producers.
The significance of this method of packaging lies in the reduction of total waste. For example, one case of PortionPac glass cleaner eliminates the need for 56 pounds of cardboard and 100 pounds of plastic that would have to be used to manufacture and transport a similar, more traditionally packaged chemical.
By offering cleaning solutions that are Green Seal certified, PortionPac has committed itself to further reducing the often negative environmental impact caused by cleaning products.
Inspiration
PortionPac began as a company dedicated to providing a sustainable answer to cleaning solution needs. The company's founders were driven by a desire to reduce the waste they saw in traditional cleaning products and to establish a company that would offer safe, environmentally friendly products. Started in 1964 by Syd Weisberg and Marvin Klein, PortionPac was founded on five key principles:
1. Human Health and Safety
2. Environmental Responsibility
3. Improvement of Work Conditions for Custodians
4. Leadership
5. Profitability
PortionPac's choice of monitoring customer usage extends its responsibility beyond simply selling a safe, effective product; it ensures that PortionPac's customers are not employing wasteful practices or using too little product to effectively clean and sanitize. PortionPac faced challenges in positioning the company as an environmentally responsible alternative. In fact, the company had to downplay its environmental benefit to convince customers that it was as effective as other cleaning products. Even when the market did not demand rigorous environmental and safety standards, PortionPac remained committed to its core values and continues to do so today.
The World Inquiry editorial team edited this profile from the original submission of the interviewer or other source. The views expressed do not necessarily represent Case Western Reserve University, the Weatherhead School of Management or the Center for Business as an Agent of World Benefit. More >>
