Surf laundry brand is removing its plastic scoops across its powder range, which according to Unilever, is expected to reduce the amount of plastic in circulation in Australia by 7.7 tonnes (the equivalent of 1.9 million plastic scoops) every year.
Unilever says the "landmark" move, set for June, is in line with its global commitments to transform and reimagine the way its cleaning and laundry products are created, manufactured and packaged, so that they are kinder to the planet.
Other brands have already removed plastic scoops from their laundry packs, including Coles Brand and Biozet Attack. Unilever is asking people to save their existing scoops to use, and says it will send new ones to anyone that asks.
Unilever Australia and New Zealand head of Homecare, Lorna Ash says, “Plastic scoops are a safe and useful tool for Aussies to have in their laundries, but we recognised that including a scoop in every pack just wasn’t necessary.
“By removing the scoops from our Surf powders, we’re giving Aussies a more sustainable option at the shelf, whilst still ensuring they get the best clean for their clothes.”
Ash says that Unilever is communicating the ‘save your scoop’ message on packs in the coming months.
“We want to ensure that shoppers have enough time to prepare for the change in June. That’s why we’re asking Aussies to keep hold of their existing scoops now, so that their laundry experience with Surf remains as easy and effective as it always has over the next few months and beyond.”
As the correct amount of laundry powder is important for the efficacy of the product and the safe operation of the washing machine, Ash says that Surf will continue to communicate the dosage in ‘scoops’ on the Surf products.
"It's important to hold onto this key measuring tool, so if you find yourself without a scoop, contact the Surf customer care line and we’ll send you one to use over and over again," she said,
Many of Unilever’s popular laundry brands including Omo and Surf are already delivering products made with recycled plastic packaging, and concentrated formats made with less plastic such as the Omo Dilute-at-Home bottles.
The company has also launched Omo liquids made with naturally derived ingredients, as part of its commitment to replace 100 per cent of the carbon derived from fossil fuels in product formulations with renewable or recycled carbon by 2030.
