Unilever launches refill machine to reduce plastic use

Unilever Bangladesh Limited (UBL) has introduced the first-ever refill machine in Bangladesh for dispensing liquid-type products to its consumers as part of its innovative approach to reducing plastic use through technology and behaviour change.

The refill machine allows anyone to refill of Rin and Vim liquid at a discounted rate by bringing an empty container: an airtight jar and an old Rin or Vim liquid bottles, said a press release.

Dr Abdul Hamid, director general, Department of Environment inaugurated the machine at Unimart Gulshan as chief guest in the presence of Masud Iqbal Md Shameem, director (Environment clearance) Department of Environment; Zaved Akhtar, CEO and managing director of UBL; and Murtoza Zaman, CEO of Unimart Limited, and other senior officials of Unilever Bangladesh.

the programme was organised by Unilever Bangladesh in collaboration with Unimart Limited.

This new machine is easy to operate where consumers can refill the bottle with very simple steps on a touchscreen and can decide their own volume ranging from 200 ml, 400 ml, 500 ml, 800 ml, 1 litre, 1.5 litre and 2 litres.

This way consumers will use the same bottle repeatedly and as a result, it will promote the practice of reusing plastic packaging.

The machine is developed by Unilever R&D team in collaboration with a global startup company, which has been checked and validated by Metrology Division of Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution.

Currently, Unilever has established two machines at Unimart, Gulshan 2 and Agora, Japan Garden City, Mohammadpur.

The further expansion of this initiative will be evaluated based on the lessons learned from this pilot. The company is also working to develop another pilot at the end of this year targeting the consumer in rural areas.

Zaved Akhtar, CEO and managing director of Unilever Bangladesh said, “To tackle the root causes of plastic waste we need to think differently about packaging. We need bold innovations that challenge existing designs, materials and business models.”

“The urgency to act on plastic pollution is now widely understood and Unilever is committed to creating a circular economy for plastic. Besides recycling, refillable, and reusable packaging could well be the game-changer the world needs,” he added.