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Vaseline’s new pump in its Vaseline Intensive Care packaging is widely recyclable in the US and Canada, according to How2Recycle’s assessment
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Since 2018, Vaseline has redesigned its packaging and increased its use of recycled content, avoiding the use of virgin plastic equivalent to approximately 11 million plastic lotion bottles
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Unilever aims to ensure that 100% of the rigid plastic packaging is reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2030
Vaseline has created a new recyclable pump for its pump-action bottles in North America. Traditionally, pumps in consumer goods contain an internal metal spring encased within the plastic, which makes them hard to recycle because recycling facilities need to separate the materials before processing them.
Now, Vaseline has worked extensively with its supplier to develop a new pump that does not have a metal spring and is widely recyclable in more than half of recycling facilities across the US and Canada. The packaging continues to deliver a quality experience for consumers, while simultaneously supporting Unilever’s sustainability goals.
“Unilever’s long-term ambition is an end to plastic pollution through reduction, circulation and collaboration,” said Kristina Friedman, Head of Sustainability at Unilever North America.
“We continue to implement bold innovations across our brands and markets that help to advance the delivery of our sustainability goals. Vaseline designing its pumps for recycling is another step in the right direction.”
Beyond their own packaging, they’re advocating for infrastructure and wider change
To help close the gap between what packaging is technically recyclable and what is actually recycled, policy and regulation are critical in improving waste management infrastructure and helping to tackle plastic waste. In North America, collaborations with The Recycling Partnership and the US and Canada Plastics Pacts, as well as investments in Closed Loop Partners, support the ongoing development of local waste management infrastructure.
Unilever co-chairs the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty, which is calling for a global plastics treaty that addresses the full life-cycle of plastic and sets global rules on our priorities like EPR, as well as product design, and restrictions and phase-outs. Global rules in these areas will help to harmonise regulatory standards and policies across markets, and accelerate the voluntary work already being done by the industry.
