Our commitment to America's national parks
That's why Unilever is committed to preserving and protecting America's national parks for future generations.
Within our National Parks program, we provide sustainable solutions to address critical national parks' infrastructure issues and enhance the visitor experience. In addition, we engage employees, consumers, and customers through volunteerism, education programs, and branded marketing initiatives.
Partners in environmental stewardship
Unilever has worked side-by-side with the National Park Foundation for more than 11 years, helping to preserve and protect America's nearly 400 national parks. In fact, we are the longest standing corporate partner of the National Park Foundation, having contributed more than $24 million in donations and support.
Unilever's National Parks Program stands at the heart of our long-term commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Beginning before the global 20th anniversary of Earth Day, Unilever set out to demonstrate its commitment to recycled materials, recyclable packaging, and source reduction. In 1989, Unilever was among the first corporations in the US to use recycled plastic in its packaging at levels between 25-35%.
Our programs at work
Through our flagship "recycling at work" program, Unilever has donated 100% recycled plastic and sustainable lumber to more than 125 national parks for use in building boardwalks, docks, fences, site amenities, and interpretative displays. For example, when the Statue of Liberty re-opened on 3 August 2004, Unilever donated sustainable lumber to rebuild and reopen the shuttle dock at Liberty Island. To date, Unilever's sustainable lumber donation represents more than 14 million plastic product containers recycled rather than landfilled.
Live & learn
Education and stewardship are paramount to Unilever's National Parks program. We support efforts to interest and involve people of all ages, especially school children and students, in the national park experience. Through our America's best classroom program, more than 15 000 kids have participated in the national parks experience in service-to-the-land or interpretative activities. Unilever has also sponsored more than 30 students from high school to graduate levels as interns in national parks across the country.
Unilever's National Parks America Tour in partnership with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., the National Park Foundation, and Take Pride in America, engages citizens in volunteer service in national parks. The program expects to send 100 000 people into volunteer service in national parks in five years, resulting in a $1.6 million in-kind manpower donation to the National Park Service.
