Unilever has upheld its promise to reduce its waste production, fulfilling its goal of sending zero non-hazardous waste to landfill from any of its 240 factories.
The move was part of the company’s self-constructed ‘Sustainable Living Plan’, which was created with the intention of doubling business while reducing environmental impact.
To tackle the ambitious goal, the Anglo-Dutch company came up with an innovative strategy based on a ‘four R’ approach - reducing waste at the source, and reusing, recovering or recycling any remaining non-hazardous waste.
Thanks to this strategy, Unilever has become the first business to produce zero waste on this scale. It has also saved the company €200 million in costs and helped to create hundreds of jobs.
“Reaching this landmark is the result of a huge mind-set shift throughout our organisation and a great example of Unilever driving sustainable business growth,” explained Unilever chief supply chain officer Pier Luigi Sigismondi to Cosmetics Design.
“I am incredibly proud of what we and our partners have achieved...Our focus now is on becoming a zero waste company and working towards a zero waste value chain by encouraging our suppliers and customers to join us on this mission.”
