Dove Rethinks Packaging, Tests Refillable Deodorant And Eliminates Virgin Plastics

Dove is rethinking its plastic packaging. As a founding member of Loop, a platform that sells everything from soap and deodorant to ice cream in reusable packaging, Dove will test a reusable, refillable stainless steel deodorant stick. 

The stainless steel deodorant stick doesn’t have a specified launch date just yet, but is said to be “well under way” and is estimated to last for 100 refill cycles. When you’re close to running out, all you need to do is order a refill. Since a Life Cycle Assessment hasn’t been completed yet, the true environmental impact of a stainless steel deodorant stick is unclear. However, the concept has the potential to change the way consumers shop and is expected to drastically decrease plastic waste. In many ways, it brings us back to the good ol’ days of the milkman. 

As the international beauty brand works towards long-term sustainability goals, like the refillable Loop platform, they’re also making immediate changes to reduce the waste their products create. By the end of 2019, all of Dove’s shampoo and body wash, among other products, will be packaged in 100% post-consumer recycled bottles. However, caps and pumps will still be made from virgin plastic until the company finds a more sustainable solution. 

“At Dove, we believe in care that goes further: for our consumers as well as our planet. We are passionately committed to being one of the brands making the biggest impact against plastic waste,” said Marcela Melero, the Vice President of Dove Global Skin Cleansing. “We know we’re not perfect, but we can’t afford to wait. We’re working to have the biggest positive impact we can, as quickly as we can, and empowering others to do the same.”

Unilever, Dove’s parent company, recently announced it will halve all of its virgin plastics by 2025. Dove’s efforts to avoid the use of more than 20,500 tonnes of virgin plastic will contribute to that commitment. That’s enough plastic for Dove’s 16oz bottles to wrap around the earth 2.7 times.