Sunlight Dishwashing Liquid has launched a 100% recycled and recyclable bottle. After seven years of development, the Unilever product has stepped up its sustainability goals with the new bottles, which will be available in 400ml and 750ml sizes. The bottles are made entirely from recycled plastic and can be recycled fully once discarded.
Unilever is pushing to reduce its overall environmental impact by 50% before 2030. The brand owns Sunlight Dishwashing Liquid, which was launched in South Africa in 1891. These new bottles will mean fewer plastic waste items in South African landfills, rivers and oceans.
Sunlight recyclable bottle took years of development
In 2010, Unilever launched its Sustainable Living Plan in order to achieve a circular economy (where waste is reintroduced into the value chain at the start of a product’s lifecycle as a raw material). One year later, Sunlight partnered with PETCO (South African PET recycling company) to begin the research process for its 400ml and 750ml bottles.
“The benefits of a project like this are substantial. They’re environmentally beneficial, they’re socially beneficial and of course, they economically beneficial,” says PETCO chief executive officer Cheri Scholtz. In 2017, the global conglomerate announced its commitment to ensuring that 100% of its plastic packaging will be fully reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2030.
The #SunlightPlayYourPart challenge
Not only does Sunlight want to reduce its own environmental impact, but the brand is also hoping to inspire consumers to play their part in tackling waste. The #SunlightPlayYourPart challenge encourages South Africans to adopt more sustainable living practices through recycling and using more environmentally-conscious brands.
Sunlight transformed the iconic yellow Table Mountain frame at the V&A Waterfront into an art installation as part of its challenge. Plastic waste items were used to create a depiction of Table Mountain and the harbour in front. The plastic waste image stopped locals and tourists in their tracks, forcing them to consider the impact of pollution on the environment.
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