Global: Design & lightweighting
As part of the design process we look for opportunities to optimise the weight of consumer and transport packaging for existing packs (lightweighting) and for new packs.
Achievements
We have made significant progress reducing the weight of new and existing product packs across our business. Advanced computing and manufacturing technology helps us design functional and attractive packaging, and weight optimisation is one of the areas considered in the process.
For example, re-designed bottles of Vaseline hand lotion have reduced pack weights compared to previous designs. The weight of a bottle of Vaseline hand lotion has been reduced by between 4 and 15% since 2003, depending on pack size. This is equal to 45 tonnes of plastic. A design change in cans (eg Unox in the Netherlands) has reduced the amount of metal needed by 15%.
Using lightweight bottles for our fabric softener, Comfort, has enabled us to satisfy consumer demand for a single-use bottle (replacing the refill system), with similar material consumption. We have seen reductions in packaging weight across our laundry products. On average, the weight of 6 and 3 litre bottles has been reduced by 10 and 15% respectively since 2003.
Further examples
Other highlights include:
- Europe - packaging of many household cleaners has been reduced by more than 5%
- Netherlands - Calvé peanut butter jar packaging has been reduced by 23% through a combination of lightweighting and design change
- South Africa - the Dawn lotion package is now 10% lighter
- USA - our Lipton's business has reduced consumption of corrugated board by 15%
