Unilever's journey to plastic-free operations

As a signatory of the Ellen McArthur Foundation’s and UN’s Global Commitment, Unilever is at the forefront of eliminating plastic from supply chains. The consumer goods sector is evolving, yet it's marred by significant waste, notably plastic.

Businesses are increasingly aiming to adapt their products to be biodegradable or easier to recycle, and Unilever is no exception. It has heavily invested in paper-based solutions and adopted biodegradable or reusable materials across its global supply chain, particularly challenging for its liquid-based products.

Unilever's commitment to this cause was solidified by joining the Ellen McArthur Foundation’s global initiative, focusing on plastic use and management. The 2023 Global Commitment Progress Report, a collaborative effort with the UN Environment Programme, provides a comprehensive overview of current plastic use and the strides made towards sustainability, covering everything from reducing unnecessary plastic packaging to future strategies for ensuring all materials are 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable.

Pablo Costa, Global VP of Packaging at Unilever, highlights the voluntary nature of this initiative, which aims to confront the dire projections of plastic pollution in our oceans. The report not only identifies the key problem areas in plastic use but also shares activities against qualitative targets committed to by producers, brands, and retailers.

In 2022, efforts to reduce plastic packaging intensified, with a slight increase in total elimination compared to 2021. However, a significant portion of brands and retailers still utilise some of the most problematic packaging types. Notably, strategies for direct elimination saw a significant rise, and the use of EPS packaging dropped by 36% from 2020 to 2022. Yet, the global usage of PVC and EPS has seen a slight increase.

The move away from single-use plastics involves rethinking the entire system of procurement, manufacturing, and distribution. Despite substantial investment, substantial growth in sustainable packaging solutions, particularly for food products, remains slow. However, there has been a notable increase in reusable plastic packaging commitments, with some brands making significant strides in this area.

Costa proudly mentions Unilever’s leading brands like Hellmann’s, Dove, and Sunlight, which are incorporating high levels of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content in their packaging.

Using recycled materials not only reduces environmental impact but also significantly lowers the overall greenhouse gas footprint compared to virgin plastic. Collectively, Global Commitment signatories are making a notable impact, equating to a considerable reduction in oil consumption.

Yet, the goal of eliminating virgin plastic from the supply chain to achieve a truly circular economy remains a challenge. Despite some brands and retailers reducing their use of virgin plastic, overall progress is stunted by increased use among some large organisations.

The current pace suggests that the collective target of a 21% reduction by 2025 is unlikely to be met, highlighting the need for continued effort and innovation in achieving sustainability goals.