Unilever ANZ has welcomed Government's 2025 national recycling pledge, with CEO Clive Stiff saying the company wants to change the current model, and wants a complete shift in its approach to resources.
Stiff said, “Unilever welcomes today’s event as a critical step towards greater collective action on increasing the nation’s recycling capability. As a consumer goods company, we are acutely aware of the consequences of a linear take-make-dispose model and we want to change it."
Referring to Unilever's recent commitment to use recycled plastics in packaging Stiff said, "We are proud to have recently announced that bottles of popular Unilever products like OMO, Dove, Sunsilk, Surf and Tresemmé will soon be made with at least 25 per cent Australian recycled plastic. This represents the first-time major brands have come on board to use this type of Australian recycled rigid plastic, and we hope it helps kick start stronger demand for more recycled plastic in Australia.
"This is just the start for us and no business can create a circular economy in isolation. Heavy lifting is needed from all players involved – suppliers, packaging converters, brand owners, policy makers and retailers, collectors, sorters and recyclers. We need a complete shift in how we think about and use resources.
"Plastic packaging waste represents an $80 billion loss to the global economy every year. The benefits of the circular economy approach are clear for business and the environment – the more effective use of materials means lower costs and less waste. It means new sources of value for customers and consumers, better risk management of raw materials, and improved approaches to the supply chain.”
The ambitious new 2025 pledge aims to have 100 per cent of all Australia’s packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025 or earlier, with 70 per cent of Australia’s plastic packaging will be recycled or composted by 2025, as well as 30 per cent average recycled content to be included across all packaging by 2025, and problematic and unnecessary single-use plastic packaging will be phased out through design, innovation or introduction of alternatives.
