Phlo Clinic’s Commitment to Sustainable Patient Care
We understand that providing recyclable and sustainable packaging is important to our patients, as well as to all our employees. We are always looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint and look for new opportunities to be eco-friendly. In addition to providing eco-friendly packaging options, our couriers also deliver our patients medication on bicycle the same day in London where we can.
In this blog, we’re highlighting one of our key packaging partners: WoolCool, a leading provider of temperature-controlled, environmentally friendly packaging. WoolCool helps us ensure that refrigerated medication reaches you safely and remains at the correct temperature throughout its journey. Below, we explain what makes WoolCool unique and how you can reuse or recycle 100% of its materials.
What is WoolCool?
WoolCool is a natural packaging material made from 100% pure sheep’s wool.
Wool has been used over hundreds of years for a number of different purposes, including cloths, carpets, scarves to now insulation in packaging. Wool is one of the most sustainable and natural materials there is and available in abundance.
Key properties of wool:
- Temperature regulating: wool naturally insulates and helps maintain stable temperatures, keeping medication between 2–8°C in transit.
- Biodegradable: it’s 100% biodegradable so if it is not re-used or re-cycled, it will naturally decompose.
- Natural alternative: It’s a great sustainable alternative to polystyrene, polyethylene and other man-made materials.
- Reliable and long lasting: WoolCool as part of our fridge medication packaging means your medication is delivered without being compromised, even if you’re not in.
How is WoolCool made?
WoolCool is a packaging material made from 100% pure sheep's wool and used to keep contents constantly cool for a long time.
To make WoolCool, the process follows 4 simple steps:
- Take the wool cut from sheep
- Wash it with a mild detergent
- Use a heat treatment to clean the wool
- Dry and prepare for usage
The whole process is toxin-free, checked monthly and carried out to ISO standards. The International Organization for Standardization is an independent, non-governmental, international organization that develops standards to ensure the quality, safety, and efficiency of products.
The wool is then packaged inside a recyclable plastic lining made from Grade 4 MDPE/LDPE, which can be recycled along with other recyclable plastics. The wool itself is fully compostable and will naturally break down in soil or landfill.
Independent testing shows that WoolCool maintains the required 2–8°C temperature range for 24 to 120 hours. We provide same-day delivery for fridge-line medications within our London and Birmingham zones, and Express next-day delivery elsewhere.
How to re-use my WoolCool?
WoolCool is very versatile and there are a number of ways you can re-use the WoolCool packaging from your refrigerated medication, such as:
- Keeping drinks or food cold when out
- Protection from frost for plants, flowers or trees
- Feeding roses and keeping slugs off plants
- Cushion and pillow stuffing
- Line backpacks and bags to protect laptops and tablets
- Craft projects
- Pads for kneeling when gardening
- Draught excluders
- Wrapped around pipes to insulate against freezing temperatures
- Donate to a homeless or animal shelter
Not able to re-using your packaging? No problem!
If you aren’t reusing your WoolCool, you can either put it in a compostable bin or dig a hole in the garden and simply plant it. As it breaks down in the ground, it releases nutrients back into the soil.
**Please note this blog covers our refrigeration packaging only. Any packaging of the medication itself such as foil or plastic is out with our control.
