Unilever launched is new sustainable plan for 2020. The goal is to reduce by 20% the impact of the products, from supply chain to consumer use. A part from the great commitment Unilever is doing towards sustainability, I’d like to share the reasons why Unilever is behaving in such way, setting a new business standard:

“CONSUMERS WANT IT - Consumers around the world want reassurance that the products they buy are ethically sourced and protect the earth’s natural resources. A growing number are choosing to buy brands such as Rainforest Alliance CertifiedTM Lipton tea, Ben & Jerry’s Fairtrade ice cream, and ‘small & mighty’ concentrated laundry detergents. A more sustainable brand is often a more desirable brand.

CUSTOMERS WANT IT - Many retailers have sustainability goals of their own. They need the support of suppliers like Unilever if they are to achieve them. We share our expertise in areas such as sustainable agriculture and lifecycle analysis. This collaboration is broadening and deepening the relationships we have with our customers.

IT FUELS INNOVATION - Sustainability is a fertile area for innovations in both products and packaging. It is allowing us to deliver new products with new consumer benefits.

IT HELPS US GROW OUR MARKETS - Over half Unilever’s sales are in developing countries, the very places which face the greatest sustainability challenges – deforestation, water scarcity, poor sanitation. These countries represent major growth markets for Unilever. If we can develop products today that help people adapt to the changing environment of tomorrow, it will help us grow faster in future.

IT SAVES MONEY - Managing our business sustainably reduces energy use, minimises packaging and drives down waste. It not only generates cost savings, it can also save consumers money.”

Unilever Sustainable Living Plan Webiste

If the fist 100,000 boxes will be reused at least five times, this would protect nearly 4,000 trees, save 2.4 million gallons of water and conserve enough energy to power 49 homes for a year.

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Orange is engaging the young target by promoting social collaboration. OrangeRockCorps, in fact, gives tickets to the coolest gigs only to those who volunteer in a community project for four hours. 

Between 2008 and 2009 there have been 13,000 people giving four hours, for a total amount of 52,000 hours!!!

 How to transform waste into an opportunity? Hanes launched EcoSmart men’s black athletic socks, which contain at least 55 percent recycled cotton, coming from Hanes’ manufacturing process excess cotton.

Another great thing are the sweatshirts and sweatpants made of “EcoSmart polyester fiber“, produced from recycled plastic bottles. Each item contains 5 percent EcoSmart polyester.

Hanes target is to recycle about 608 million plastic bottles in 2010! 

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That’s what Pepsi thought when switching its 33million dollars budget from Super Bowl to “Refresh Everything”: an online cause marketing campaign. Users are invited to submit ideas that would improve their lives in different areas (from health, to education or environment). Pepsi will realise those most voted ones from users, providing monthly grants for a total amount of 22 million dollars.

Quite refreshing!!

All Mulino Bianco products (biscuits, bread and snacks) will soon be powered by renewable energies. The operation will be carried out through RECS certificates, which will guarantee that the over 100 millions of yearly kw (equal to the consumptions of a 900.000 town!) will come from clean energy.

By eliminating almost all water, the new Chanteclair from Real Chimica offers 25 washes with only 625ml.  of liquid, much less than the 2,500ml required by a traditional washing liquid. Packaging has been reduced 50%.

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Apple carried out a LCA (life cycle assessment) of its new MacBook. “The company’s study concluded that electrical power consumed during product use accounts for the largest amount of GHG emissions — 53 percent (or 5.3 million metric tons), with mining and manufacture ranked second at 38 percent (3.8 million metric tons).” Apple “still refuses to make specific GHG emission reduction commitments” (source: greenbiz.com)

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