Domestos-PCR-Pack-Shots

Unilever’s homecare brand Domestos has re-launched its core bleach range in new bottles made from 50% post-consumer recycled plastic (PCR).

The brand has moved its UK 750ml bleach range to use recycled plastic, which it says will save 1,505 tonnes of virgin plastic per year. According to Unilever, the new Domestos bottles use high-quality recycled resin to ensure the bottle is strong and durable, while also enabling the incorporation of recycled plastic into the coloured bottles without compromising on the distinct colour and quality of the packaging.

With plastic waste a top environmental concern for shoppers, Domestos is communicating the move with new front-of-pack labelling. In addition, all the bottles include an On-Pack Recycling Label (ORPL) ‘Cap On Recycle’ logo to support more consumers to recycle them.

Claire Racklyeft, Home & Hygiene category lead at Unilever UK&I, comments: “Our Domestos bleach bottles are already recyclable, but incorporating recycled plastic into a bottle made for bleach has been challenging.

“It was important that we maintained the distinct look and feel of our bottles, so our packaging and factory teams have worked very closely with our suppliers and partners to ensure consistency of material and bottle quality.

“Fully recyclable and now incorporating post-consumer recycled plastic, our Domestos bleach bottles are helping to keep plastic in packaging – where it is valuable - and out of the environment. We believe this is a first for bleach bottles in the UK, so it’s a great innovation and one we’re very proud of. We’re already working towards bottles made with 100% recycled plastic.”

The move by Domestos is part of Unilever’s wider global packaging commitment, which includes the aims of halving the company’s use of virgin plastic by reducing its absolute use of plastic packaging by more than 100,000 tonnes by 2025.