Josh Brooks / PackagingNews

Unilever achieves zero waste to landfill at UK sites

FMCG giant Unilever has revealed that it has realised a pledge to send zero waste to landfill from its 11 UK manufacturing plants.

The London-based multinational, which produces brands including PG Tips and Colmans in the UK, has achieved the goal as part of its Sustainable Living Plan that launched last year.

Under the plan, the group has pledged to decouple growth in sales – which it hopes to double by 2020 – from growth in its environmental footprint.

To complete its zero waste to landfill project in the UK, Unilever has struck an agreement with waste management group Veolia that ensures that more than 97% of its factories’ waste is recycled. The remaining 3%, Unilever said, is being sent to energy-from-waste.

As well as its 11 UK manufacturing facilities, Unilever’s R&D facilities at Port Sunlight in the Wirral and at Colworth Science Park in West Sussex, as well as its two biggest offices in central London and in Leatherhead, are included in the commitment.

The group revealed that it has reduced the amount of waste per tonne of manufactured product by 77% since 1995.

Unilever’s European eco-efficiency manager Tony Dunnage described the achievement as “significant” and “a great example of how we are putting our sustainability strategy into action”.

“Today’s landmark demonstrates how our factories, office sites and R&D laboratories are more environmentally responsible, which is helping us to save money to invest in our business.”