Case Study

Koh

What sets you apart from other cleaning products and businesses?

We created Koh to take the unnecessary work out of traditional cleaning and to provide people with a simple cleaning system to use around their whole home.

Here are some ways we differ:

◾️ Koh is one cleaning system that does the job of 20, so you don’t need a different cleaning product for each surface to keep your home clean.

◾️ A lot of traditional cleaning solutions rely on strong chemical ingredients to breakdown and remove soils, but Koh takes things back to basics. The emphasis is instead on the simple two-ingredient formula of the Universal Cleaner, working with curated accessories to be tough on dirt, grease and grime.

◾️ We designed the system to reduce plastic waste. Koh’s 4L Universal Cleaner and refillable Atomiser replaces the need for 10 x 400ml single-use trigger sprays.

◾️ It’s better for people and the planet. Our Universal Cleaner is also recommended by the National Asthma Foundation Sensitive Choice Programme, and GECA certified.

Why did you choose to get GECA certification?

Starting a business that would leave a positive legacy for both people and the planet has always been important to Koh’s founder, Adam Lindsay. Koh has worked with GECA since the brand launched in 2016 and continues to do so for two important reasons.

Firstly, for our customers. It’s always been important that we back up our eco-friendly claims with respected third-party certification to build and maintain trust with our customer base.

Secondly, we are proud to have strict formulation guidelines in place to ensure that our current and future products provide a home cleaning alternative that is better for both people and the planet. GECA provides a rigorous and detailed approach to certification that not only challenges us as a brand to continue to improve; it also holds us accountable as we grow.

What’s changed for you as a result of going through the GECA certification process?

The certification process is rigorous, and one that we’re proud to commit to! Going through the process has also provided us with a framework to consider when approaching new product development. Whether that is the type of packaging we choose for future products or the way we deal with waste in our manufacturing operations, the GECA certification process helps to identify material sustainability issues relevant to our industry and provide an appropriate standard for addressing them.

What do you think are the biggest sustainability challenges for your industry right now?

With customer demand for safe and non-toxic cleaning products growing, so too is the level of “greenwashing” occurring. Many brands across industries are claiming to be ‘eco-friendly’ or ‘natural’ when, in reality, this is not always the case. For us at Koh ensuring transparency and authenticity across our product range and within our community is of pivotal importance. We want our customers to feel they can trust in the safety of our products for both people and the planet. Being certified by a credible independent organisation such as GECA helps us to validate what our customers expect from us.