The Anglo-Dutch company introduces a new compressed aerosol for its Sure, Dove and Vaseline brands which require less propellant to deliver each spray, allowing the can to be reduced in size; resulting in a carbon footprint reduction of 25 per cent on average per can.
The consumer goods giant says that the new-look cans use on average 25 per cent less aluminium and, due to the smaller size, more can be transported at once, resulting in a 35 per cent reduction in the number of lorries on the road.
Packaging revolution
"Compressed aerosols provide consumers with a product that lasts just as long as the previous one, and is more sustainable,” says Amanda Sourry, chairman, Unilever UK & Ireland.
“We are confident that this represents the beginning of a revolution in deodorants, as people come to see the benefits of this new packaging."
In the UK, the cans will start to appear in store in the female deodorant aisle today, with the 150ml versions being reduced to 75ml.
Consumer influence
According to research, 80 per cent of UK and Ireland consumers prefer aerosols to roll on or sticks, and with approximately 19 million cans of female aerosol deodorant used per year in the UK, Unilever’s plan could mean an immediate 24 fewer tonnes of aluminium being used.
Richard Swannell, director of Design and Waste Prevention at WRAP, comments, "The new aerosols represent a step change in the aerosol category and WRAP applauds Unilever's leadership role in evolving the format.”
“We hope the environmental benefits, as well as the convenient small size, are appreciated by the consumer.”
Sustainable Living
The new aerosols, as previously mentioned, are all part of Unilever’s Sustainable Living Plan, which aims to halve the greenhouse gas impact of products across the lifecycle by 2020, and halve the waste associated with the disposal of products by 2020.
It is the first time in over 50 years that the company has looked at drastically reducing the packaging of its aerosol deodorants, and follows previous sustainable initiatives from Unilever in other industries.