Our commitment
Sustainable development is about creating a balance between the economic, environmental and social aspects of our business.
In the UK, as elsewhere in the world, we are committed to promoting sustainable development, minimising the environmental impact of manufacturing and consumption, and conserving valuable natural resources.
Internally, we routinely examine the life cycle of our products, seeking opportunities for cutting back our demand for energy and materials, and for reducing the resulting waste. Unilever also has a policy of minimising packaging and is a founder member of Valpak, an industry group working to promote recycling.
Externally, we use our contacts with suppliers, consumers and local communities to influence attitudes and behaviour. We also create partnerships with expert organisations to help match consumer needs with environmental protection. At the same time, individual Unilever companies work closely with local communities on environmental action and awareness projects.
Our wide range of initiatives underlines our pro-active commitment to sustainability. We are a Foundation Corporate Partner of Forum for the Future, a charity established by leading UK environmentalists. One result of this partnership is our involvement in Project SWIM (Sustainable Water and Integrated Catchment Management), launched by Lever at Port Sunlight in 1998. We are also heavily involved in the Mersey Basin Campaign, a public-private-voluntary sector joint venture formed to clean up the Mersey Basin. Other Unilever-supported initiatives include the Sustainable Agricultural Project (SAP) and the Marine Stewardship Council.
