It is all part of the Anglo-Dutch giant’s focus on achieving zero waste across its value chain, and having identified the different non-hazardous waste streams in its operations, it has eliminated these from the sites, replacing them with alternatives.
Early in 2015, the Dove skin care maker announced that over 240 factories had achieved zero waste to landfill status, and by replicating this model in other parts of the business, nearly 400 additional sites have now eliminated waste to landfill.
This has been done using its four ‘R’ approach of reducing, reusing, recovering or recycling, which it says proves that waste can be seen as a resource with many alternative uses, from converting factory waste to building materials to composting food waste from staff cafeterias.
“The global challenge of a growing population relying on limited resources is very real. Our zero waste to landfill goal underpins Unilever’s sustainable growth ambitions, as well as our commitment to become resource resilient and tackle climate change,” says Pier Luigi Sigismondi, Unilever’s Chief Supply Chain Officer, adding there is more to be done to inspire a widescale movement.
New zero waste collaboration
Unilever says its priority now is to continually reduce waste and adopt a circular model whereby its waste becomes someone else’s resource.
In order to inspire this movement the company has also announced a new collaboration with value-chain platform 2degrees to help bring organisations together to leverage the zero waste model. The new collaboration programme will go live in summer of this year.
“Our collaboration with 2degrees will allow us to share lessons and experiences, and to encourage other businesses and industries to take up the zero waste challenge. By building a network of partners, we can eliminate waste on an unprecedented scale across the globe,” says Sigismondi.
Unilever adds that it will continue to maintain zero waste status at all locations that have it implemented, and that work continues to bring all sites in line, including all future site openings and acquisitions, with the ultimate aim of achieving zero waste across its value chain.
