Boots and Unilever unite to tackle Hygiene poverty

Boots, Unilever and The Hygiene Bank have joined forces as part of a new initiative designed to tackle the growing issue of hygiene poverty - now estimated to affect one in five UK people.

As part of the new ‘You Buy. We Donate’ campaign, Unilever will donate one product for every two of its eight biggest personal care brands purchased via Boots to The Hygiene Bank.

Running now, until 24 August, the initiative spans Unilever’s Dove, TRESemme, Radox, Sure, Baby Dove, Lynx, Impulse and Dove Men+Care brands bought in Boots stores or on Boots.com.

Commenting on the new partnership, Unilever UK and Ireland VP for beauty and personal care Chris Barron said: “Hygiene poverty is a significant issue in the UK and being unable to keep yourself clean can have an enormous impact on mental wellbeing.

“We know we can’t solve this alone, which is why we’ve joined forces with Boots and The Hygiene Bank to help tackle the issue by donating one product for every two purchased from eight of our biggest personal care brands.”

Boots UK director of communications, CSR and sustainability, Lucy Reynolds added: “Boots has worked with The Hygiene Bank to help tackle hygiene poverty for over a year.

“We believe everyone has the right to be clean and access essential hygiene products like soap, toothpaste and deodorant.

“As part of our partnership, Boots collects products for The Hygiene Bank from customers at over 250 donation points across the UK and for every one kilogram collected, we donate four products.

“This new initiative with Unilever means we can help more people within The Hygiene Bank’s national network this summer.”

The new campaign will also help to raise awareness of hygiene poverty which, despite being a growing problem, still largely remains a “hidden crisis.”

People struggling with hygiene poverty are not able to afford many of the everyday hygiene and personal grooming products that others take for granted, including access to deodorants, soaps, individual toothbrushes, nappies and period protection products.