Firms cut packaging to save environment, costs

London

BRITISH supermarkets are selling beer in glass bottles that are a third lighter than they were a few years ago. Unilever, which makes products such as Dove cleansers and Sure deodorant, has pledged to reduce its packaging by a third by 2020. Dell is cushioning computers and server parts with wheat straw and a compostable, mushroom-based material instead of Styrofoam.

Across the business world, more companies - mindful of the environment and their bottom lines - are scrutinising their packaging and cutting the excess. Less packaging means fewer raw materials to buy and lower shipping costs. The changes can also add up to fewer climate-warming carbon emissions and less garbage in landfills.