Our commitment to sustainable packaging
As a consumer goods company, we have a clear responsibility to play our part. We are among a growing number of brands, retailers and packaging companies to make sustainable packaging commitments.
But more needs to be done to make reusable, recyclable and compostable plastic normal. And we need your help too!
As well as the “please recycle” logo, every Unilever Food Solutions product also carries clear, on-pack instructions showing how to handle each component of the packaging after use. There are different actions you can take for each packaging component: re-use it; recycle it; or dispose of it. Each one is clearly denoted with an icon, as described below here.
Look at the label on your package and see what action to take
Square/Round Tubs
Lid and tub
How to dispose:
Remove carton sleeve or paper label. Rinse tub and lid.
Where to dispose:
Place tub and lid in the plastic recycling system.
Tub and lid can also be re-used.
Carton sleeve
How to dispose:
Remove carton sleeve or paper label. Rinse tub and lid.
Where to dispose:
Place carton sleeve or paper label in the paper recycling system.
Outer case
Where to dispose:
Place outer case in the paper recycling system.
Jerrycans
Jerrycan and cap
How to dispose:
Remove paper label. Rinse Jerrycan and cap.
Where to dispose:
Place jerrycan and cap in the plastic recycling system.
Jerrycan and cap can also be re-used.
Paper label
How to dispose:
Remove paper label. Rinse Jerrycan and cap.
Where to dispose:
Place paper label in the paper recycling system.
Iconic Bottles
Bottle and cap
How to dispose:
Remove paper label. Rinse bottle and cap.
Where to dispose:
Place bottle and cap in the plastic recycling system.
Bottle and cap can also be re-used.
Paper label
How to dispose:
Remove paper label. Rinse bottle and cap.
Where to dispose:
Place paper label in the paper recycling system.
Outer case
Where to dispose:
Place outer case in the paper recycling system.
Pouches, Gusset Bags, Sachets
Flexible packaging
Where to dispose:
Place flexible packaging in "OTHER" plastic recycling system.
Outer case
Where to dispose:
Place outer case in the paper recycling system.
Tea Bags
Filter paper
How to dispose:
Separate filter paper from thread.
Where to dispose:
Place tag paper in the paper recycling system.
Tag Paper
How to dispose:
Separate tag paper from thread.
Where to dispose:
Place tag paper in the paper recycling system.
Aluminium wire
How to dispose:
Separate aluminium wire from tag paper and thread.
Where to dispose:
Place aluminium wire in the allumunium recycling system.
Tea Envelopes
Envelop paper
Where to dispose:
Place envelop paper in the paper recycling system.
Flexible envelop sachet
Where to dispose:
Place flexible envelop sachet in "OTHER" plastic recycling system.
Inner cartons and Overwraps
Flexible overwrap
How to dispose:
Separate overwrap from inner carton.
Where to dispose:
Place flexible overwrap in "OTHER" plastic recycling system.
Paper carton
How to dispose:
Remove overwrap from inner carton.
Where to dispose:
Place paper carton in the paper recycling system.
Outer case
Outer case
Where to dispose:
Place outer case in the paper recycling system.
Our work with operators to promote recycling
Plastic waste is, as we all know, one of the biggest global environmental challenges today. To date, more than 8.3 billion tons of plastic have been created, and most of this has been discarded (source: Science Daily).
If current rates continue, 12 billion tons will be in landfill or the natural environment by 2050. This is unsustainable and requires action.
Collecting and sorting recyclable materials plays an important part in ensuring they can be reused.
Our aim is to promote recycling among operators and, at the same time, raise awareness at government and NGO level. We have a number of projects which encourage people to recycle more and help to make recycling a lifelong habit.
For more information about the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan commitments, check out About Us.