Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) in association with Banyan Nation has recently launched recyclable bottles for Surf Excel Matic Liquid. The partnership is aimed to innovate and create bottles that are less dependent on virgin plastic thereby reducing the net plastic generated.
HUL said that its popular detergent brand Surf Excel has transitioned to recyclable bottles made from 50% post-consumer recycled plastic while using 100% biodegradable actives in its formulation. The shift is applicable to the brand’s Surf Excel Matic Liquid bottle variant that was launched in 2016. Over time the business grew and so did its plastic footprint.
“All innovations have a scorecard on various parameters and its positive impact on our clean future agenda is a key criterion to meet for it to move ahead in the organisation’s innovation funnel. If we don’t set higher standards for ourselves, we will not be able to meet the needs of the future generations. We take great pride in innovating to meet the consumers’ needs, some of these aren’t critical for the present but are key for the future. This innovation is yet another step in that direction.” says Sanjiv Mehta, Chairman and Managing Director, Hindustan Unilever
Meanwhile, Mani Kishore Vajipeyajula, CEO and co-founder of Banyan Nation said it is ensuring that the use of safe and high-quality recycled plastic becomes the norm in mainstream consumer products and packaging.
“HUL’s alignment with our mission and unwavering commitment to sustainability has resulted in over 100 million bottles being made from Banyan Nation’s recycled granules and made available to consumers across India.” says Mani Kishore Vajipeyajula, CEO and co-founder Banyan Nation
In February 2021, HUL had announced that from 2021 onwards it will collect and process more plastic packaging waste than the plastic in packaging used by it. The Company will enable processing of over 1 lakh tons of post-consumer plastic waste through collection from all of the states and Union Territories.
Similarly, in July 2021, the company launched ‘Smart Fill’ machine – an in-store vending model for our Home Care products with the aim to reuse, reduce and recycle plastic. In the pilot phase, the vending machine has been installed at Reliance Smart Acme Mall in Mumbai.
To access products from the Smart Fill machine, consumers can either use old empty bottles or purchase a Smart Fill bottle from the store at a nominal price. As an incentive, consumers are being offered INR 30 off on the MRP or effective price at the store if they get their bottle and Rs 15 off to those who purchase the Smart Fill bottle.
The flagship brands that consumers can avail of these benefits on include: Surf excel liquid for Top Load and Front Load washing machines; Comfort Fabric Conditioner and Vim Dishwash Liquid Gel.
