Environment
Environmental responsibility underpins our activities wherever we operate, such as product and packaging innovation, promoting greater use of recycling and contributing to conservation.
Some examples
Here we provide examples of environmental initiatives which are part of our community programme and which have a social or economic as well as an environmental benefit.
Brazil: Recycling consumer waste
Recycling is good for communities as well as the environment. Recycling schemes supported by Unilever are creating new jobs and finding novel uses for recycled waste – such as furniture and biofuels.
Brazil: Recycling material from toothpaste tubes
A Unilever toothpaste factory in Vinhedo, south east Brazil, is using waste material to make furniture and building materials. The initiative has reduced the amount of waste sent to landfill by 17 tonnes a year.
Brazil: Unilever & Wal-Mart demonstrate sustainable living
Unilever's sustainable house shows Wal-Mart customers how to live in an environmentally friendly way.
Canada: Vim helps build new homes for low income families
Vim is working with Habitat for Humanity to build homes for Canadian families who could not otherwise afford one.
Europe: Assessing the impact of household products on rivers
Unilever works in partnership with detergent manufacturers, chemical companies, academic institutes and government agencies to assess the potential risks of pollution from household products.
Europe: Sharing best practice improves efficiency
A Unilever ice cream factory in Flen, Sweden has saved significant amounts of energy and water and a Frigo factory in Barcelona, Spain has cut wastewater impurities by 20%.
Europe: Unilever Europe wins major European Community Engagement Excellence Award
Our Vitality Summer community programme won one of the most prestigious European community engagement awards at a ceremony in July 2005 at London's Royal Albert Hall.
France: Environmental training at Amora Maille
Amora Maille, a Unilever culinary foods business based in France, has invested in staff training and new equipment to protect the environment and save money.
Ghana: Promoting biodiversity on palm oil plantations
Unilever Ghana has developed biodiversity action plans (BAPs) to protect and enhance biodiversity at its Benso and Twifo palm oil plantations.
Global: Design & lightweighting
As part of the design process we look for opportunities to optimise the weight of consumer and transport packaging for existing packs (lightweighting) and for new packs.
Kenya: Tree planting raises biodiversity profile
One of the main threats to the country's tea industry is deforestation - we have been working with local environmental groups to protect Kenya's delicate biodiversity.
South Africa: Composting waste material for community gardens
Unilever factories in South Africa have begun diverting food waste to make compost used in community vegetable gardens, helping local communities and reducing waste sent to landfill.
Sri Lanka: Sunlight brings water
As a small island country, Sri Lanka faces a very diverse range of weather patterns. When one area suffers a flood, another area just a few miles away can be experiencing a severe drought.
Tanzania: Biodiversity action plan
Unilever Tea Tanzania (UTT), formerly Brooke Bond Tanzania, has developed a biodiversity action plan to help preserve ecosystems in the country's Eastern Arc region.
Thailand: Thailand's first packaging management institute
The disposal of unwanted waste is a key environmental issue. In Thailand, packaging accounts for 31% of all waste. Unilever Thailand and 17 national and international manufacturers have joined forces to tackle the problem.
UK: Encouraging biodiversity at Colworth Estate
Woodland, hedgerows, fields and golf courses all play a role protecting biodiversity at Colworth Estate.
USA: Protecting wild birds on tomato farms
Bertolli and Ragu tomato farmers in California are protecting wild birds, including birds of prey, to encourage biodiversity.
USA: Unilever National Parks Programme
As the longest-standing corporate partner of the National Park Foundation, Unilever's commitment to preserve and protect America's National Parks spans thirteen years. By 2008, our commitment will exceed $50 million in donations and support.
