P&G ADDS 9.5-POUND DETERGENT BAGS

RICHARD TURCSIK

CINCINNATI -- The Procter & Gamble Co. here has introduced a plastic 9.5-pound refill package for its Cheer, Tide and Tide With Bleach powdered laundry detergents. The bags contain enough detergent for 65 loads and are designed to be poured into a 42-load carton, or another container. There is a reseal tape on the bag to store excess detergent that will not fit in a container. P&G also is selling plastic refill canisters for $3.49 through an offer on the side of the bag.

P&G said the thick, puncture-resistant bags are environmentally friendly because they eliminate cardboard packaging and are made with 25% post-consumer recycled plastic milk bottles. The 65-load bag contains 80% less packaging than the 42-load carton, which is still available. P&G estimates the bags will annually prevent 3.6 million milk bottles from going to landfills. The new bags are priced slightly less on a per-use basis than the 42-load box and also offer retailers several key benefits, according to a P&G official.

"Our new refill has a unique shipping carton we developed where the refill bags are stacked on a tray with a top placed over them. On the tray there are four quick-release tabs. All the stock clerks have to do is simply pull the four tabs and remove the top," Terri Glover, a P&G spokeswoman, told SN.

"This gives the people who are stocking quick and easy access to the product. They take the top off and they can get to the product easily or take the tray and use it as an end-aisle display. We are getting really positive feedback from stock clerks," she said.

"The refills encourage consumers to purchase a larger package than they might normally buy. If they normally buy a 42-use carton they're likely to want to try this 65-ounce refill," Glover said.