Unilever
Flagged · AvoidBritish-Dutch consumer goods giant behind Dove, Hellmann's, Axe, Knorr, and 400+ other household brands.
Last updated June 13, 2026
↓ Skip to 5 ethical alternativesReasons to avoid
Issues span:TaxEnvironmentAntitrustLabor
- Ranked #1 plastic sachet polluter globally — selling over 53 billion single-use sachets in 2023 (1,700 per second). Made of mixed plastic and aluminum, sachets are unrecyclable and overwhelmingly pollute waterways in developing countries where waste infrastructure is limited.
- Actively lobbied against plastic sachet bans in at least three Asian countries — including Sri Lanka — even as its own executives publicly called sachets "evil." The company pressed governments to reconsider bans and maneuvered around regulations once imposed.
- Under formal investigation by the UK's Competition and Markets Authority for greenwashing — specifically for making vague or unsubstantiated claims that products are "sustainable" or "better for the environment." The UK Advertising Standards Authority previously banned a Persil ad for the same reason.
- Rolled back major sustainability pledges in 2024: downgraded its virgin plastic reduction target from 50% by 2025 to 30% by 2026, pushed its "100% recyclable packaging" deadline from 2025 to 2030–2035, and amended its living wage commitment to cover only 50% of direct suppliers.
- Ben & Jerry's sued Unilever in November 2024, alleging the company silenced the ice cream brand's social media accounts to suppress posts supporting Palestinian refugees and campus protesters — and then ousted the brand's CEO in retaliation for its activism, violating their 2000 merger agreement.
- Supply chain linked to deforestation and labor rights abuses, including sourcing palm oil, tea, and cocoa from suppliers with documented environmental and worker harm — contradicting Unilever's sustainable sourcing claims.
Ethical alternatives
Personal Care
Dr. Bronner's
Family-owned soap and personal care brand with fair-trade, organic ingredients and genuine worker benefits — including free healthcare and capped executive pay.
🤝 Fair Trade🌿 Organic🐰 Cruelty-Free
Visit →
EarthHero
B Corp marketplace curating ethical personal care, home goods, and more from independent, sustainable brands.
✅ B-Corp♻️ Sustainable
Visit →Home & Cleaning
Blueland
Plastic-free cleaning tablets and concentrates that dissolve in reusable bottles — eliminating single-use plastic entirely.
♻️ Plastic Free🌿 Zero Waste♻️ Sustainable
Visit →
Grove Collaborative
B Corp marketplace for sustainable home essentials — ships carbon-neutral and offers refillable options across hundreds of ethical brands.
✅ B-Corp♻️ Sustainable♻️ Plastic Free
Visit →Food & Condiments
Local Co-ops & Independent Grocers
Shop locally owned grocery co-ops for condiments and pantry staples — money stays in your community.
📍 Local Business📍 Supports Locals
Common Questions
- Is Unilever ethical?
- Unilever sold over 53 billion single-use plastic sachets in 2023 and actively lobbied against sachet bans in at least three Asian countries, even as its own executives called sachets "evil." The UK's Competition and Markets Authority opened a formal greenwashing investigation into Unilever for making vague sustainability claims. In 2024, the company rolled back its virgin plastic reduction target and pushed back its recyclable packaging deadline by a decade.
- Why are people boycotting Unilever?
- Unilever faces boycotts over its plastic pollution record and treatment of its own brands. Ben and Jerry's sued Unilever in 2024, alleging the company silenced the brand's social media accounts to suppress posts supporting Palestinian refugees and then ousted its CEO in retaliation. Unilever's supply chain has also been linked to deforestation and labor abuses in palm oil, tea, and cocoa sourcing.
- What are the best ethical alternatives to Unilever?
- Dr. Bronner's is a family-owned personal care brand with fair-trade organic ingredients and capped executive pay. Blueland makes plastic-free cleaning tablets that eliminate single-use plastic entirely. Grove Collaborative is a B Corp marketplace for sustainable home essentials that ships carbon-neutral.