Refill machine saves 30% cost, reduces plastic use: Unilever Bangladesh 

 Unilever Bangladesh Limited has said using its refill machine for liquid products saves consumers 25% to 30% in cost while also reducing plastic use and environmental pollution.

 In 2022, Unilever introduced Bangladesh's first-ever refill machine for dispensing liquid products as part of its innovative approach to reducing plastic use through technology and behaviour change.

 The multinational company hosted a programme today (27 November), titled "Progressing Sustainably: Together for Bangladesh" in Dhaka, bringing together partners, industry leaders and sustainability advocates to discuss progress and share a vision for a sustainable future in Bangladesh.

Sabera Haque, category head at Unilever, said, "We have been collecting and processing more plastic than we sell in Bangladesh since 2022. Our plastic waste management initiatives demonstrate that sustainable change and value creation are achievable. In the future, we will focus on enhancing recycling infrastructure, promoting innovation and encouraging collective action for lasting change.

"Our pilot initiative has yielded inspiring results, with 93% of survey respondents finding our refill initiative, URefill, highly appealing. Approximately 43% of consumers are returning customers. URefill has proved to be an attractive option for bottle and sachet users, with affordability and experience being the primary motivators. Following a successful technical pilot, we plan to expand our deployment of URefill machines in 2024 to evaluate the business model further."

At the event, Unilever Bangladesh Limited (UBL) celebrated the launch of the Sustainability Blue Book 2024, UBL's second voluntary report. The event also featured three roundtable discussions with experts, focusing on current challenges and collaborative solutions to protect the environment.

The UBL team presented four compelling case studies, highlighting key initiatives under the four focus sustainability pillars: climate, nature, plastic and livelihood. These initiatives align with UBL's business strategy, the Growth Action Plan (GAP) 2024, and showcase innovative and collaborative approaches to integrating sustainable solutions into their operations.

Sarah Cooke, British high commissioner in Bangladesh, said, "I commend Unilever Bangladesh, a major UK investor, for their commitment to producing high-quality, locally made products that benefit millions of Bangladeshi households. Their focus on sustainability and inclusive business growth serves as a powerful example for others. 

"As Bangladesh continues its journey toward sustainable development, adopting green practices and ensuring transparency will be vital. Unilever's efforts demonstrate how business can lead the way in creating a sustainable future while contributing to global sustainable development goals."

Zaved Akhtar, chairman and managing director of UBL, added, "For over six decades, Unilever has been committed to Bangladesh's growth, integrating sustainability at the core of our business. By focusing on actionable goals alongside long-term commitments, we aim to protect the planet while creating economic value. However, this journey requires collective action.

"The next era of sustainability will largely depend on how we work together as a community. With 2025 set to be a pivotal year for everyone, with significant developments in policy dialogues primarily related to plastic, nutrition and the ocean, we must collectively focus on innovation through collaboration."

Unilever Bangladesh reaffirmed its commitment to fostering sustainable Bangladesh by creating an enabling environment in partnership with stakeholders, industry leaders and the government.

The event concluded with three impactful roundtable discussions. In partnership with Policy Exchange of Bangladesh, a UK-based think tank, a roundtable on "Achieving Plastic Circularity in Bangladesh" was held. 

LightCastle Partners, a management consulting firm, facilitated the discussion on "Climate Conversation: Collective Pathways for a Sustainable Bangladesh," while the International Labour Organisation spearheaded the conversation on "Improving Livelihoods Across the Value Chain."