Yes, Sure is committed to making its deodorant packaging recyclable. We are actively working towards ensuring all our rigid plastic packaging is 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2030, and flexible plastic packaging by 2035. Many of our products, including aerosol cans and some roll-ons, are already designed for recycling.
Sure's Commitment to a Sustainable Planet and Deodorant Recycling
At Sure, we believe in empowering everyone to move with confidence, and that includes ensuring a healthy planet for all. As a leading deodorant brand, our commitment extends beyond personal care to protecting the outdoor spaces we cherish. We are dedicated to minimizing our environmental impact, ensuring that you can continue to move freely and safely in a sustainable world.
We are actively leading the charge in environmental stewardship, guiding the way towards more sustainable choices for our consumers. Our approach is comprehensive, examining our entire value chain and collaborating with partners to address critical challenges. Together, we are focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change and tackling the pervasive issue of plastic waste, including making deodorant recyclable packaging more accessible.
Key Takeaways on Sure's Recycling Commitments
- Pioneering Plastic Reduction: Sure is actively working to minimize virgin plastic use and increase the integration of recycled materials in deodorant packaging.
- Ambitious Recycling Targets: We are committed to ensuring all our rigid plastic packaging is 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2030, with flexible packaging following by 2035.
- Increasing PCR Usage: Sure aims for 50% Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) material across its product range by 2025, including in roll-ons and aerosol cans.
- Innovating with Recycled Aluminium: We are pioneering the use of PCR aluminium in our aerosol deodorants, making them lighter and more sustainable.
- Simplifying Deodorant Recycling: Sure supports initiatives like OPRL and BAMA to make recycling deodorant containers, especially aerosols, easier and more accessible for everyone.
- Empowering Sustainable Choices: Our efforts are designed to help you make informed, eco-friendly decisions when choosing and disposing of your deodorant products.
Sure's Ambitious Targets for Recycled Deodorant Packaging
By 2025, our goal is for at least 25% of the plastic we use to originate from a recycled source, specifically Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) material. We are proud to share that Unilever has already achieved 21% recycled plastic usage as of 2024, demonstrating significant progress towards these vital objectives.
Our updated targets align with Unilever’s latest, forward-thinking commitments:
- Rigid plastic packaging, including many deodorant containers, will be 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2030.
- Flexible plastic packaging will achieve the same ambitious standards by 2035.
We firmly believe that by continuously improving our packaging and significantly reducing our plastic footprint, we can actively contribute to a more sustainable future for everyone. Our journey is one of constant evolution, always seeking better ways to protect our planet.
Reducing Deodorant Plastic Waste: Our Strategy
What are Sure's ambitions for plastic reduction?
At Sure, we are deeply committed to minimizing our reliance on virgin and single-use plastics wherever feasible. To achieve this, we are relentlessly pursuing innovations in design and manufacturing, striving to develop cutting-edge deodorant packaging that utilizes superior plastics and generates less waste. Our aim is to make every Sure product a step towards a greener tomorrow.
How is Sure making a difference in reducing plastic waste?
We are actively developing a new, lightweight roll-on deodorant that will incorporate recycled plastic (PCR) and use a remarkable one-third less plastic than its current equivalent. Furthermore, we are collaborating closely with retailers to ensure that they select fully recyclable options for our secondary packaging – the essential materials that protect our products during transit and storage. These efforts are crucial in our mission to offer more eco-friendly deodorant containers.
Increasing Our Use of Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Materials in Deodorants
What are Sure's ambitions for PCR usage?
PCR, or Post-Consumer Recycled material, is plastic that has been recycled and is ready for reuse, effectively diverting waste from landfills. Our global brand is striving to incorporate as much PCR as possible into all our packaging, encompassing both plastic and aluminium. Our ambitious goal is to achieve 50% PCR content across our entire product range by 2025, making our deodorant packaging more sustainable.
While the demand for PCR is growing, its availability can vary by region. In areas where PCR is less accessible, we are actively collaborating with local authorities to highlight its value and encourage the recycling of relevant materials, fostering a more circular economy.
How is Sure making a difference with PCR?
We are dedicated to increasing the use of PCR in all our deodorants. Currently, we are introducing PCR into our roll-on deodorants in Europe and Latin America, and similarly in our stick deodorants across North America. We are also exploring innovative ways to integrate PCR into aerosol spray nozzles, pushing the boundaries of sustainable design.
Beyond plastic, Sure is at the forefront of pioneering the use of PCR aluminium in our aerosol deodorants. In Germany, we proudly launched an award-winning aerosol can featuring 25% recycled aluminium, making it 14% lighter than its predecessor. To expand PCR aluminium usage globally, Unilever has partnered with Tubex, a key aerosol can manufacturer. Together, we are working to increase PCR aluminium content in our aerosols without compromising product functionality or quality.
The consistent supply of high-quality PCR aluminium remains a challenge, but we are diligently working with our suppliers to scale up production and availability wherever possible, ensuring reliable and eco-friendly deodorant options.
Sure's Broader Plastic Commitments:
At Sure, our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint is unwavering. As an integral part of Unilever’s comprehensive sustainability strategy, we are focused on:
- Reducing our use of virgin plastic by 30% by 2026 and 40% by 2028, using 2019 as our baseline year.
- Aiming to collect and process more plastic than we sell by 2025. As of 2024, we have already achieved an impressive 93% of this crucial goal, demonstrating our dedication to tackling plastic waste.
Making Deodorant Recycling Easier for Everyone
What are Sure's ambitions for accessible recycling?
Our overarching goal is for all Sure deodorant packaging to be fully recyclable by 2025. We continuously strive to enhance access to recycling facilities, recognizing that availability can vary significantly across different countries due to local infrastructure and regulations. Our ambition is to simplify the recycling process, making it accessible for everyone, and to foster a future where recycling your deodorants is a straightforward and common practice.
How is Sure making a difference in recycling accessibility?
We are particularly enthusiastic about increasing awareness that our aerosol deodorants are infinitely recyclable. Many consumers may not realize that aerosol cans are crafted from aluminium, a highly sustainable material that can be recycled repeatedly without any degradation in quality. This makes aerosol can recycling a powerful way to reduce waste.
To help disseminate this vital information, we actively support organizations like the On-Pack Recycling Label Scheme (OPRL). OPRL is instrumental in developing clear, consistent, and easy-to-understand recycling messages across the UK, guiding consumers on how to properly dispose of their deodorant packaging.
Furthermore, improving the availability of recycling facilities is a critical aspect of our mission. Given the global variations in recycling infrastructure, we also collaborate with trade organizations such as BAMA (the British Aerosol Manufacturers' Association) to advocate for and encourage authorities to establish and promote the collection and recycling of empty aerosol deodorants.
Empowering a Sustainable Future: Sure's Recycling Journey
Sure is unwavering in its commitment to environmental stewardship, actively working to reduce plastic waste, increase the use of recycled materials, and simplify deodorant recycling for consumers worldwide. Our dedication to innovation, from PCR integration in roll-ons to recycled aluminium in aerosols, reflects our vision for a healthier planet. By making conscious choices and supporting accessible recycling, together we can ensure a sustainable future where everyone can move with confidence and contribute to a greener world. Join us in making a difference, one recyclable deodorant at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deodorant Recycling
Sure roll-on deodorant containers are increasingly made with Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) plastic and are designed to be recyclable. To recycle them, first ensure the container is empty. Check local recycling guidelines, as practices can vary. Generally, plastic roll-on containers can be placed in your household plastic recycling bin. We are also developing new lightweight roll-ons with even more recycled plastic.
PCR stands for Post-Consumer Recycled material, which is plastic or aluminium that has been recycled from consumer waste and is ready to be reused. Sure is committed to incorporating PCR into its packaging to reduce reliance on virgin materials. Our ambition is to include 50% PCR across our complete product range by 2025, utilizing it in plastic roll-ons, stick deodorants, and pioneering its use in aluminium aerosol cans.
Yes, Sure aerosol cans are made from aluminium, which is a highly sustainable material that can be infinitely recycled without loss of quality. We are actively working to raise awareness about aerosol recycling and support organizations like BAMA to encourage authorities to collect and recycle empty aerosols. Always ensure the can is empty before placing it in your metal recycling bin.
Sure, as part of Unilever's sustainability strategy, is working towards significant plastic reduction targets. We aim to reduce our use of virgin plastic by 30% by 2026 and 40% by 2028, using 2019 as the baseline year. Additionally, we aspire to collect and process more plastic than we sell by 2025, having already achieved 93% of this goal as of 2024.
Sure supports organizations like the On-Pack Recycling Label Scheme (OPRL) in the UK, which provides clear and consistent recycling messages on packaging. For specific local guidelines on recycling deodorant containers, including plastic and aerosol types, it's best to check with your local council or waste management authority, as recycling facilities and accepted materials can vary by region.
