With a growing number of people moving to live in cities across the world, Cif has aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities & Communities, encouraging local communities to make use of their public communal areas & beautifying public spaces that have fallen into urban decay.

Gemma Cleland, Vice President, Homecare, Unilever UK & Ireland, said: “The launch of Cif ecorefills is a game-changer when it comes to reducing plastic waste in the products we use to clean our homes. Our research shows that two-thirds of us feel guilty when we throw away plastic and shoppers are looking for easy switches that can have a positive impact on the world around us. We think there’s no better place to start than in the home. By keeping a bottle of Cif and refilling and reusing it over and over again, consumers can reduce their consumption of single use plastic.” Cif is committed to enabling people to use their Cif Power & Shine trigger spray bottles for life. If the trigger spray breaks, customers can call the Cif careline to receive a new trigger spray delivered free to their home. In many cases that’s not just related to sustainability – it’s about affordability and convenience too. No, only add it into an empty Power & Shine spray bottle. Follow the instructions by diluting up to the water mark on the bottle. That way you'll get beautiful cleaning results without damaging surfaces.Research from Edelman shows that UK consumers are increasingly demanding more refillable and reusable solutions.

Although refill pouches save a high percentage of plastic, they're not recyclable. What's more, as they are bulky and heavy, they don't reduce road transportation and grenhouse gas emissions. By reusing the bottles, Cif hopes to reduce the amount of trigger sprays being disposed of, which are problematic to recycle as many companies aren't equipped to deal with them. Almost a fifth of shoppers wanted a sealed product option (18%) and to be able to return empty bottles to store (16%). A quarter (25%) would be interested in a loyalty or reward scheme 3 With our broad portfolio, we’re well placed to trial a range of refill–reuse models across various product categories and formats, including personal care, beauty, laundry, home, hygiene and food. Since 2018, we have launched over 50 pilots.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. Our research shows that two-thirds of us feel guilty when we throw away plastic and shoppers are looking for easy switches that can have a positive impact on the world around us," she continued. We selectively use some key ingredients that are not naturally derived (e.g. Power & Shine Bathroom). However, we have a team of scientific experts at Unilever’s Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre (SEAC) who play a key role in ensuring that our products are safe and environmentally sustainable. The nascent nature of refill models means that regulatory guidelines and public policies can be vague, and we’ve come across challenges with this in several of our pilots. We expect this to change and we look forward to working with policymakers to help shape a clear way forward.

Made with 75% less plastic, Cif ecorefill simply attaches to the current Cif Power & Shine bottles. Through its innovative technology, it seamlessly releases the super-concentrated product into the bottle, which is filled with water at home. The ecorefill contains a 10x concentrated formula, delivering the same superior clean for which Cif is known and loved. 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. No. ecorefill should only be used with the relevant kitchen or bathroom bottle as it has been specially designed for each bottle. The bottle also includes the relevant ingredient information, instructions and careline details. 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. Insights from this initial trial, as well as Unilever commissioned research, is informing their expanded trials this year:Changing how we make, distribute, use and dispose of everyday products is one of the biggest environmental challenges the world is currently facing. It’s also an issue where consumption habits are just as important as business models. Product safety is our priority. Our products are formulated to be safe to people and to the environement, and their safety is assured by a world-leading group of safety scientists at Unilever’s Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre (SEAC). As we are committed to people using their Power & Shine spray bottles for life, if the trigger spray breaks, we will deliver a new one free of charge. Good for consumers, the planet and our business This announcement may contain forward-looking statements, including 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as 'will', 'aim', 'expects', 'anticipates', 'intends', 'looks', 'believes', 'vision', or the negative of these terms and other similar expressions of future performance or results, and their negatives, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and assumptions regarding anticipated developments and other factors affecting the Unilever Group (the 'Group'). They are not historical facts, nor are they guarantees of future performance. Once the original bottle of cleaning product is finished, users can attach the Cif ecorefill to the bottle to release the highly concentrated product into the bottle, which they then fill with water to dilute.

You'll save money - it's cheaper than buying a spray bottle and, yet, it cleans just as beautifully. You'll save on plastic - using 75% less every time you reuse your spray bottle. And, because it's smaller, not only is it lighter to carry when shopping, you'll have more storage space at home. Daily updates on the latest design and architecture vacancies advertised on Dezeen Jobs. Plus occasional news. Dezeen Jobs Weekly But solutions do exist. The same report found that this amount can be reduced by 80% if major transformational change takes place. We think there's no better place to start than in the home," Cleland added. "By keeping a bottle of Cif and refilling and reusing it over and over again, consumers can reduce their consumption of single use plastic." Yes, we're looking to have ecorefill accross all our main sprays by 2020. But we're not stopping there and want to offer other concentrated products across our entire range.Changing how we make, distribute, use and dispose of everyday products is one of the biggest environmental challenges the world is currently facing," said the company. "It's also an issue where consumption habits are just as important as business models." Not only is e-commerce a fast-growing channel for Unilever as a whole, but it also provides invaluable insights and data which can help shape and support our relationship with consumers.