Global health and hygiene consumer products manufacturer Reckitt Benckiser (RB) has reduced the carbon footprint of its products by a quarter since 2007.
In its recently published 2012 sustainability report, the manufacturer of brands such as Dettol, Nurofen, Strepsils, Vanish and Air Wick, said that it was also on target to meet its target of one third of its net revenue coming from more sustainable products.
It has developed a sustainable innovation calculator that is a streamlined life cycle analysis tool looking at raw materials and consumer use to ensure it meets this net revenue target.
RB noted that packaging “is essential to securely and safely contain our products” but it is “a very visible source of waste once the products have been used”.
It was therefore working on reducing the raw materials and energy used in packaging, reducing the size and weight of the packaging and making it easier for consumers to recycle.
RB said that its main packaging materials are paper and board, PP, HDPE, LDPE, tin plate and glass and that it would look at ways to use the most sustainable materials.
The company also revealed that it is working on water conservation measures such as reducing the amount of water needed to create a lather with soap and use of water in raw materials and manufacturing.
RB chief executive Rakesh Kapoor said: “We are determined to grow sustainably, helping people to lead healthier lives, and we made excellent progress in 2012.”
