Plastics
To reduce plastic pollution, we need to change the way plastic is sourced, used and disposed. We’re working to create a circular economy for plastic packaging and to reduce our virgin plastic footprint.
Our goals
Our plastic goals focus on the areas where we believe we can have the most impact.
Virgin plastic reduction
Reduce our virgin plastic footprint – by 30% by 2026, and 40% by 2028[a]
Reusable, recyclable or compostable plastic packaging
100% of our plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable – by 2030 (for rigids) and 2035 (for flexibles)[a]
Recycled plastic
Use 25% recycled plastic in our packaging by 2025
Collection and processing
Collect and process more plastic packaging than we sell by 2025
Learn more about our global strategy and goals here and check out the progress we’ve made in Australia and New Zealand below.
We support Australia’s 2025 National Packaging Targets
Our global goals are aligned with the targets set by APCO to design packaging for recyclability and use more recycled content in packaging.
We provide guidance on our packs for the best way to dispose of the packaging using the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL). Around 80% of the products we sell in ANZ have the Australasian Recycling Label. You can read our full 2024 APCO Action Plan here (PDF 509.53 KB).
The recycling rates for packaging need to be increased in order to achieve the National Packaging targets. This means a whole of system approach is needed to create a more circular system. Learn more about our advocacy for Extended Producer Responsibility schemes here.
Using recycled plastic in our packaging
Switching to ‘better’ forms of plastic by increasing the amount of recycled plastic we use in our packaging is one way to reduce our virgin plastic use.
Each year in Australia and New Zealand, we use over 1,000 tonnes of recycled plastic in the packaging of our household staples including Omo, Persil, Comfort, TRESemmé, Dove, Vaseline, Hellmann’s, and Magnum.
Using less plastic
“Refill” and “concentrate” innovations are a key part of our plan to reduce our virgin plastic footprint.
For example, Omo Dilute at Home is a concentrated formulation, which can be diluted at home into an existing Omo 2L bottle. The smaller, Dilute at Home bottles use 50% less plastic, 70% less water in production. Refills such as our Dove Body Wash Refill Pouches can be used to top up existing Dove bottles you have at home. The Refill Pouch uses 70% less plastic than the standard 1L Dove bottle.
Smaller packaging formats like the Dilute at Home bottles and Refill Pouches also take up less space when we’re transporting them. The more we can fit into one truck, the less trucks there will be on the road. It’s a win, win with less plastic and less trucks!
We are also rethinking packaging – in 2022 we removed plastic scoops from our laundry powders across Australia and New Zealand in – which saves approximately 25 tonnes of plastic each year.
Partnering for a circular economy
Soft plastics
Cutting plastic waste requires transformational systems change, involving collaboration between manufacturers, government, other businesses and the people that use our products every day.
Unilever Australia are supporters of the Soft Plastics Stewardship scheme which aims to provide Australians with a convenient way to recycle their soft plastics at kerbside, to increase soft plastic recycling rates and reduce the amount of soft plastic going to landfill.
The scheme will help build much-needed advanced recycling infrastructure which can transform soft plastics back into food-grade packaging made from locally recycled plastic. In New Zealand, we are members of the Soft Plastics Recycling programme which has designated drop of points where New Zealanders can recycle wrappers and bags.
Educating shoppers to bin better
We joined forces with Coles and Clean Up Australia back in 2020. Together, we want to eliminate litter and mobilise Australians to keep our country beautiful. To date, we’ve donated over $600,000 to Clean Up Australia which has helped supply 6,000 free Clean Up kits. We’re also supporting Clean Up Australia’s partner – Cool.org – to give teachers access to resources and curriculum-linked lesson plans which inspire their students to clean up, fix up and conserve our environment.
Plastics Treaty
We’re also advocating for systems changes to build a circular economy for plastics, including working with suppliers, governments and other partners to advocate for a legally binding UN treaty on plastic pollution. You can read more about it here.