Unilever Renews Environmental Partnership with Choithrams

Unilever expertise helped Choithrams recycle 47,341 kg of waste in 2015 in a renewed agreement whereby the focus remains on water, energy and waste generation reduction

Dubai, UAE, June 7, 2016:   Unilever, one of the world’s leading FMCG companies and manufacturer of iconic brands such as Lipton and Lifebuoy, has announced the renewal of its partnership with retail chain Choithrams, which operates over 37 stores in the United Arab Emirates. The announcement, which coincides with the World Environment Day, sees Unilever and Choithrams continue collaborating towards environmental sustainability through reduced water, waste energy use. 

The partnership between the two companies is now in its third year. Knowledge transfer from Unilever has seen Choithrams recycle 47,341 kg of waste in 2015 alone. Unilever has also advised on energy saving initiatives, with Choithrams facilities now equipped with occupancy and motion sensors to reduce energy use. Sky dome lights and solar panels are also reducing the chain’s environmental footprint. 

The Unilever Sustainable Living Plan calls for growing Unilever’s business, while reducing its environmental footprint and increasing its positive social impact. The plan delivers growth for Unilever’s brands while creating savings through cost avoidance by reducing the environmental impact of its operations. 

“Partnerships with key retailers such as Choithrams are essential to advancing our goal of business growth coupled with a reduction in environmental impact. We are embodying our environmental footprint across our value chain – all the way from sourcing to consumption. Success can only be triggered by working closely with retail partners to change consumer behaviour. It is also part of our agenda to get our retailers to adopt the same principle as us - to be environment friendly - in order to achieve their environmental targets. Unilever’s partnerships play a very large role in helping us create value and benefit the environment on a global scale,” said Gaurav Rustagi, Unilever’s Country Director in UAE and Oman.

The partnership will also see Unilever audit Choithrams’ facilities to advise on sustainability projects that reduce environmental footprint while generating long term savings. The Unilever team will assist Choithrams in replicating successful environmentally friendly projects in Dubai, Qatar and Bahrain, and Oman while also helping design a green store in Dubai’s Green Community. 

“Unilever, is entirely cognizant that sustainability is good for business. We are committed to tackling the twin challenges of climate change and the depletion of natural resources, while also empowering communities. Not only are these strategic goals beneficial for our extended audiences but also make good business sense. Prosperous communities and economies are crucial to long-term brand growth,” Rustagi added.

The partnership sees Choithrams play a leading role in educating consumers as well on products that save substantial volumes of water in modern household appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers.

“It is part of our responsibility as industry leaders to implore these teachings to our consumers and I would call for other retailers, distributers and manufacturers to really get behind this and push a sustainability drive” said Dinesh Pagarani, Choithrams Director. 

Consumer behaviour changes will be catalysed through an ambitious rewards scheme at Choithrams supermarkets. In particular, the two brands celebrated World Environmental Day through in-store activations across 15 Choithrams branches where consumers were rewarded for environmental conscientiousness. 

Choithrams customers spending over AED 25 on any Unilever Water Saving products will be eligible for prizes including washing machines and DEWA bills subsidies ranging from AED 50 to 500 based on a lucky draw.