In the latest in a series of sustainable sourcing announcements, consumer packaged Goods giant Unilever this week announced a new set of goals for its sourcing of paper and packaging products to raise the bar for the percent that must come from sustainable sources.
According to its newly published policy (see Unilever Sustainable Paper and Board Packaging Sourcing Policy), Unilever has now committed to sourcing at least 75% of its paper-based packaging material from acceptable certified virgin sources or recycled material. By 2010, the goal is to source 100% of paper-based material from acceptable certified virgin sources or recycled material.
In its policy statement, Unilever says it “acknowledge we have a role to play, through our procurement practices, in promoting sustainable forest management practices and in helping to put an end to deforestation.”
That in part will be achieve by increasing sourcing material form manufacturers and suppliers that are certified and produce “full chain of custody” certificates as to where the pulp and paper originated. This means that the supply line must originate from “known and legal” virgin fiber sources, which basically involves sourcing the pulp from forest areas that are self-sustaining through replanting.
Unilever says that currently, “The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification scheme is the most comprehensive Forest Management Certification Scheme globally. Wherever it is available and viable to do so, we will give preference to sourcing FSC certified virgin paper or board.”
Currently, some 62% of Unilever’s paper packaging material is already sustainably sourced.
In a consumer angle, the company also says that it will start to add certification logos across its product packaging as progress is made towards reaching the target.
The announcement is just the latest in a series of Green supply chain moves for Unilever, which in June was one of just three companies to earn the Platinum Plus ranking on the Business in the Community Corporate Responsibility (CR) Index.
Unilever also recently rolled out Rainforest Alliance-certified teas next to the US market, with plans for worldwide coverage by 2015. The company’s Lipton brand teas started having the Rainforest logo on them in the US market in May.
After some controversies several years ago relative to sourcing palm oil, Unilever also recently announced that it would only use palm oil certified by Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil for its beauty products by 2015.
It also said it is developing its own criteria for sustainably sourcing tomatoes for its products, including Ragu tomato sauce. Unilever buys about 7 percent of the world’s tomatoes.
What do you think of Unilever’s paper and packaging policy and goals? Could they lead to higher costs for Unilever versus some competition? Let us know your thoughts at the Feedback button below.
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