 Companies > PVC Company Policies > Microsoft/Johnson & Johnson
Microsoft and Johnson & Johnson to Phase Out PVC Packaging
When CHEJ’s report on the hazards of PVC plastic was released in December, the BE SAFE network kicked off a campaign to convince Johnson & Johnson and Microsoft to switch to available, safe, non-PVC products and packaging by the end of 2005. CHEJ and a network of BE SAFE groups sent both companies letters asking them to sign a PVC-Free Pledge. We are pleased to report that both companies agreed to phase out PVC in their packaging!
Microsoft responded quickly, stating that they are in active negotiations with retailers and hoped to phase out PVC blister packs by the end of 2005! Here is an excerpt of their letter to CHEJ:
“We too are concerned about the use of PVC in software packaging and its impact on the environment and health and safety of consumers. Unfortunately, a number of our North American and Latin American retailers require that we package certain software products like Microsoft Office in plastic “clamshells” or “blister packs”. Retailers believe that these enclosures provide a level of theft deterrence. We are currently negotiating with our retailers for a change in their software packaging requirements so that we will not have to use clamshell packaging at all. Absent a change in retail packaging requirements, we are looking for a relatively cost effective alternative material. Our existing packaging strategy is to advise our software packaging suppliers to switch to this alternate by the end of calendar year 2005. With the switch, we hope to completely eliminate PVC from our software packaging by the end of 2005.”
Johnson & Johnson also responded positively, stating that they want to phase out PVC in their primary packaging. Here is an excerpt of their letter to CHEJ:
“We are actively engaged with suppliers to identify alternatives to replace our existing PVC packaging and to avoid PVC use in future products. We can provide you with updates as we progress on our Consumer Products Company's goal of eliminating the use of PVC in our primary packaging...”
Thank you and congratulations to all the groups in the BE SAFE network who helped compel these corporations to phase out PVC!
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