Our commitment
Sustainable development is about creating a balance between the economic, environmental and social aspects of our business. At Unilever, we are committed to promoting sustainable development, minimising the environmental impact of manufacturing and consumption and conserving valuable natural resources.
We routinely examine the life cycle of our products, seeking opportunities for cutting back our demand for energy and materials and for reducing the resulting waste. Unilever also has a policy of minimising packaging and is a founder member of Valpak, an industry group working to promote recycling.
Externally, we use our contacts with suppliers, consumers and local communities to influence attitudes and behaviour. We also create partnerships with expert organisations to help match consumer needs with environmental protection. We work closely with local communities on environmental action and awareness projects.
Many of the issues we face are outside our direct control – either at the beginning of the supply chain (at the raw materials/input stage) or at the end (final, manufactured products stage). So our sustainability initiatives focus on three areas where we can make a measurable contribution:
