Did you know that a single plastic bottle takes up to 450 years to decompose in a landfill? That’s a long time. Plastic bottles and containers are a big part of the oil and lubricant industry, practically every manufacturer uses them, but it’s time to find another way. Since plastic production began in the 1950s, over 6.5 billion tons of plastic materials have been thrown away, and only a tiny portion, 600 million tons, has been recycled. The rest clogs up landfills and our oceans, causing environmental damage.

Are consumers willing to pay more for sustainable products?
Consumers have shifted to more sustainable shopping habits in the past few years, especially among younger generations. A recent report from First Insight found that Gen Z consumers’ willingness to pay for more sustainable products increased by 42%. The report also concluded that consumers across age groups are willing to spend more on sustainable options. According to the data on sustainable consumer behavior, their top desire is to help the environment, with 23% wishing to reduce production waste and 22% wishing to reduce their carbon footprint. These statistics show that businesses willing to invest in more sustainable practices and reduce waste can appeal more to environmentally friendly consumers.

Can quick lube businesses adopt more sustainable practices?
Traditionally quick lube businesses are not thought of as environmentally friendly. Most of these types of businesses use plenty of plastic materials, promote the use of oil and gas, and service hundreds of customers each day. As a result, the carbon footprint of a quick lube business is pretty high, but it doesn’t have to be. Innovations like Chevron’s PitPack packaging solution are helping quick lube owners make more environmentally friendly choices and reduce production waste.

The Chevron PitPak® uses 89% less plastic than 946 ml bottles. This simple but innovative design is surprisingly effective. The lubricant is stored in a bag inside the corrugated, fully recyclable box, which has a built-in nozzle. The standard sizing of the box makes it easier to store than traditional oil and lubricant bottles. The package has more spacing for more prominent labels for accessible storage practices. You can even get a PitPack® Rack kit to store multiple boxes and liter dispensing jugs for easy usage. Right now, these products are available in PitPack® packaging:

  • Havoline® ProDS® Full Synthetic 0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30, and Euro 5W-40
  • Havoline® Synthetic Blend 0W-20, 5W-20, AND 5W-30
  • Havoline® High Mileage 0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30, and 10W-30
  • Havoline® Motor Oil 5W-20, 5W-30, and 10W-30
  • Havoline ® ATF Full Synthetic MV ATF and Global MV ATF
  • Delo® 400 SDE 15W-40, XLE SynBlend 10W-30, and XSP Synthetic 5W-40

But there are more benefits to the PitPack® packaging than reduced packaging waste. For example, many quick lube owners struggle to store their products. Owners report that they need to have a lot more lubricant varieties than they used to, as there are more makes and models of vehicles on the road, and people drive their cars longer. More specialized lubricants in the shop means it can be challenging to organize and store your supplies efficiently, especially in traditional quart bottles. The PitPack® packaging system makes storage easier by:

  • Standardizing the space required for lubricant storage. For example, instead of trying to store oil drums or different-sized bottles, everything is one size.
  • More prominent labels for easier identification
  • Easier oil transfer for technicians. The dripless dispenser nozzles make it easy to transfer lubricants to reusable six-quart jugs with special lids to reduce contamination. Using this system can cut back on messy spills when technicians are servicing vehicles.
  • Less product waste. Instead of leaving oil trapped in the bottle, the oil in the bag system reduces product waste to the equivalent of 24 individual bottles!

The PitPack® system is just one of the many ways that Chevron is helping business owners manage their inventory better. Smart inventory management can increase your profits if you are willing to put in the time and effort.

How can better inventory management help? Here are the best practices you can try.

  • Focus on employee training. Inventory management starts with each employee. You need an organized system, and you need to make sure that everyone sticks to that system. Ensure your employees practice good shop habits like putting things away properly, keeping things neat, and rotating inventory regularly.
  • Improve your organization. Organizing your lubricant supplies will save you time and money. It will help your technicians complete oil changes faster when your inventory is appropriately managed (like in the PitPack® storage rack). Jason Berry, the owner of two Havoline Xpress lube® locations, says, “I’m a stickler for a super clean shop, and the PitPack® solution is for me. Maximizing storage space compared to quarts is also a great benefit and helps the environment.”
  • Create better ordering practices. Another advantage of the PitPack® system is that it makes ordering easier. The boxes hold more than traditional quart bottles, so you don’t have to place as many orders, and the large label design makes it easy to see what you need to order right on the shelf.

The last piece of advice we have is to consult your Greg’s Petro representative. Together, we can examine the trends in your region, look at your sales history, and figure out the best product and package mix for your business. Our team has excellent insights and recommendations, and we are here to help. As a Chevron lubricants supplier, we always look for the best Chevron products to share with our customers, like the PitPack®. Consumer trends and lubricant needs are constantly changing, so paying attention to what your customers want is essential. Right now, customers want sustainable options and lubricant variety, and the PitPack® options check off both boxes. If you’re ready to try these products or others in your shop, or if you need help improving your inventory practices so you can save money, give us a call! We’re here to help!