Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) believes that business growth should not be at the expense of people and the planet. The Company’s vision is to grow the business, whilst decoupling our environmental footprint from our growth and increasing our positive social impact.This reflects in the way of working and initiatives driven by the Company.
Maintained the status of 'zero non-hazardous waste to landfill' in all HUL factories and offices
Reducing environmental impact
In 2018, HUL reduced CO2 emissions per tonne of production by 59% compared to 2008. This significant reduction has been achieved through a reduction in total energy footprint across factories. Various capital projects across factories have been installed that save energy. Additionally, usage of biofuel, modification of thermic fluid heater, usage of biomass briquettes, and use of solar power at factories have increased our share of renewable energy at our sites to 43% in 2018 compared to 2008 baseline.
Reusable, recyclable or compostable plastic packaging
In 2018, we arranged environment-friendly disposal of over 20,000 tons of post-consumer use plastic laminates waste in aggregate through collection and disposal partners in more than 20 cities across India. HUL is also working closely with the government and other partners such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for end-to-end pilot projects for plastic waste management. HUL has also partnered with Xynteo and developed a curriculum ‘Plastic Safari’ to create awareness and drive behaviour change on waste segregation among school children and people in housing societies. The pilot conducted in Mumbai has reached nearly 30,000 people so far.
Reduce waste from manufacturing
Total waste (per tonne of production) generated from HUL factories reduced by 58% in 2018 as compared to 2008. HUL maintained the status of 'zero non-hazardous waste to landfill' in all factories and offices.
Total waste generated from the factories reduced by 58% compared to 2008 baseline.
Reducing water usage
Water usage (cubic meter per tonne of production) in HUL manufacturing operations has reduced by 55% compared to the 2008 baseline. Initiatives such as reduction in freshwater abstraction, implementation of captive rainwater harvesting and use in processes & utilities make-up, increase in condensate recoveries, and maximising use of RO plants, contributed substantially to the reduction of water use in their manufacturing process.
Water usage reduced by 55% compared to 2008 baseline.
Hindustan Unilever Foundation
Hindustan Unilever Foundation (HUF) is a not-for-profit company that acts as a vehicle to anchor water management related community development and sustainability initiatives of Hindustan Unilever Limited. HUF operates the ‘Water for Public Good’ programme, with specific focus to empower local community institutions to govern water resources and enhance farm-based livelihoods through the adoption of judicious water management practices. By the end of 2018, more than 700 billion litres of water conservation potential has been created through improved supply and demand management of water.
Over 700 billion litres of water conservation potential created by Hindustan Unilever Foundation