Boost plastic circularity by advanced sustainable packaging

Unilever is a British multinational consumer goods company with its headquarters in London, United Kingdom and is a leading global producer of food, home care, and personal care products. Its products are used by billions of people every day in over 190 countries.

Unilever considers climate action one of its top strategic priorities and has set ambitious targets to reduce its environmental impact across the entire value chain. The company is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2039, in alignment with the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement, and has been implementing structural initiatives to reach this objective. As part of this long-term ambition, Unilever has established robust 2030 targets, including the complete elimination of direct operational emissions (Scopes 1 and 2), which encompass its factories, distribution centers, and fleet. Globally, the company has already achieved a 74% reduction in these emissions compared to 2015. In Brazil, progress has been even more significant: operational emissions have been reduced by 83%, driven by an integrated industrial decarbonization strategy based on renewable solutions, circular economy, and energy efficiency.

Decarbonizing operations is a key pillar of Unilever’s climate strategy and has been implemented through a range of technologies tailored to the specific context of each industrial site. In Brazil, three Unilever factories stand out as concrete examples of this ongoing transformation. Each site has adopted a distinct energy solution, yet all share the same purpose: to eliminate emissions associated with thermal energy consumption, directly contributing to the company’s global climate goals.

Unilever’s challenge was reducing plastic waste and emissions from packaging. The strategy focused on plastic circularity by redesigning packaging, using recycled resins, and partnering across the value chain to exceed recycling and collection goals.

Unilever’s challenge was reducing plastic waste and emissions from packaging. The strategy focused on plastic circularity by redesigning packaging, using recycled resins, and partnering across the value chain to exceed recycling and collection goals.

Unilever has made plastic pollution a strategic priority, aiming to eliminate it through three pillars: reducing virgin plastic, promoting circularity, and fostering collaboration across the value chain. These ambitions are embedded in its Climate Transition Action Plan (CTAP), which includes 2025 goals such as using 25% recycled plastic in packaging and collecting more plastic than it places on the market.

In Brazil, Unilever has turned this vision into action. In 2024, it surpassed global targets by achieving 37% recycled plastic in packaging and collecting 115% of the plastic it placed on the market — a first in the Americas. This success stems from packaging redesign, integration of post-consumer recycled (PCR) resin, and partnerships with cooperatives, recyclers, and initiatives like ABIHPEC’s Mãos para o Futuro. Independent audits by AcePlans ensure full compliance and transparency.

Flagship brands like OMO, Rexona, Tresemmé, and Hellmann’s now use high levels of PCR materials, avoiding over 100,000 tons of CO₂ emissions. Unilever Brazil’s results prove that global sustainability goals can be translated into measurable, scalable local impact — demonstrating that innovation, collaboration, and environmental responsibility can drive industrial performance.

The initiative focused on advancing plastic circularity to cut emissions by integrating recycled content into packaging and scaling collection efforts beyond market needs. Key steps included:

• Incorporating post-consumer recycled resins into major product packaging.

• Redesigning packaging and innovating product formulas to enable higher recycled content.

• Partnering with cooperatives, recyclers, and collection programs (e.g., ABIHPEC’s Hands for the Future).

• Auditing the process with independent certification (AcePlans) to ensure environmental, social, and labor compliance.

Sustainability impact

Climate

The initiative significantly reduced the climate footprint of packaging by avoiding 100,000 tons of CO₂ emissions through recycled resin use and improved plastic circularity. By reaching 37% recycled content and collecting 115% of market plastic, the project cut virgin plastic demand, lowered emissions from production and disposal, and set a replicable model for circular economy solutions in packaging.

Approach

• Integrated post-consumer recycled (PCR) resins into packaging for major brands, including OMO, Rexona, and Hellmann’s.

• Redesigned packaging and innovated product formulas to enable higher recycled content without compromising quality.

• Partnered with cooperatives, recyclers, and collection points to strengthen the recycling ecosystem.

• Collaborated with sector initiatives, such as ABIHPEC’s Hands for the Future program, to expand collection and processing capacity.

• Ensured environmental, social, and labor compliance through third-party auditing by AcePlans.