The design also makes them easier to use than many alternatives on the market, including refill pouches that can be difficult to pour and therefore quite messy. Almost a third of people worry about spillages when refilling household products, particularly cleaning supplies. Cif ecorefill provides the answer to these problems. They are small and light, so can be bought in bulk, and they take up less space in cupboards and recycling bins. Some of Unilever’s best-known brands, including Persil, Simple, Radox and Alberto Balsam, will be available in reusable stainless-steel bottles in selected Asda and Co-op stores by the end of 2021

Cif innovation to dramatically cut plastic use and transport Cif innovation to dramatically cut plastic use and transport

In the research, 40% of people thought they would be more expensive. But actually, they retail at less than the price of Cif spray bottles. That’s why we’re now focusing on developing our refill and reuse strategy while scaling up the common successes and synergies. Insights from this initial trial, as well as Unilever commissioned research, is informing their expanded trials this year:

Sharing what we have learnt from our pilots

The expanded trials are in seven stores across the country, including Glasgow, York, Rugby, Milton Keynes and Leeds. Unilever is working with retail partner, Co-op, to test refills amongst convenience shoppers, in addition to customers at larger Asda supermarkets, and will be announcing plans for more stores and trials later in the year.

Cif Antibacterial | Cif

But solutions do exist. The same report found that this amount can be reduced by 80% if major transformational change takes place. The refill and reuse approach is in its early days. We’re all still learning. But experimenting in real-world conditions has given us a lengthy list of insights – and an even lengthier to-do list. Now we want to build momentum and do everything in our power to help bring about a refill–reuse revolution. In response to this combination of challenges, we created Cif ecorefill – a 10x concentrated refill that allows shoppers to buy one spray bottle, which they can then use for life.Sharing what we’ve learnt is a start, and we hope it will be useful. But global change needs a whole system behind it. We know we can’t do this alone, it requires buy-in from retailers, manufacturers, delivery services, civil society organisations and, of course, consumers. We also see a critical role for governments, especially in helping promote innovation and encouraging investment. We’ll keep collaborating to help make this happen.