{"id":84874,"date":"2026-07-29T02:45:34","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T00:45:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/?p=84874"},"modified":"2026-07-29T10:06:24","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T08:06:24","slug":"calling-on-dove-to-protect-human-health-and-kick-plastic-out-of-its-packaging-this-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/story\/84874\/calling-on-dove-to-protect-human-health-and-kick-plastic-out-of-its-packaging-this-world-cup\/","title":{"rendered":"Calling on Dove to protect human health and kick plastic out of its packaging this World Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Looking back on the 2026 World Cup, it was undoubtedly an emotional roller coaster for fans. From fun and comradery at fan festivals, to loss and controversy, the last few weeks have been a whirlwind of soccer hype, shwag and of course, lots of corporate advertising. We joined the festivities to let Dove \u2013 official personal care sponsor, whatever that means \u2013 know that if it really cared about men\u2019s health like its ads suggest, it\u2019s time to kick plastic out of its packaging. <\/p>\n\n

Unilever\u2019s Dove brand used the World Cup to endlessly promote its Men + care products in a campaign about protecting men\u2019s \u2018sensitive parts\u2019. Dove is always selling itself as a company that cares  \u2013 about \u2018real beauty\u2019, empowerment, and health. But its plastic-centred business model tells a different story. <\/p>\n\n

Billions of Dove branded plastic packaged products are produced every year, contributing to a growing public health emergency. Unilever is responsible for hundreds of thousands of tonnes of plastic<\/a> entering global markets, driving consequences on a global scale. As a top global plastic polluter according to brand audits conducted over several years, Unilever is a major contributor to the waste and pollution crisis.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n

\"On
On the eve of Unilever\u2019s profits announcement Greenpeace UK scale the company\u2019s HQ by Blackfriars Bridge in London and unveil a huge banner reading PROFIT WARNING – Plastic Polluted Money.
\u00a9 Kristian Buus \/ Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Plastic pollution is a public health issue at every stage. Plastics are made with thousands of chemicals, many of which are a concern to human health. Microplastics are being found nearly everywhere, including our bodies. The growing body of science on plastic and health make it hard to ignore the role that major consumer goods polluters are playing in our collective plastic burden.<\/a><\/p>\n\n

Recent headlines about a possible connection between exposure to microplastics and\/or plastic chemicals and impacts on sexual health and fertility have us thinking about\u2026the package.  <\/p>\n\n

\"Greenpeace
Greenpeace USA projects an image and a message for World Cup fans onto the Brooklyn Bridge.
\u00a9 Manuela Louren\u00e7o \/ Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Early studies reveal microplastics may be showing up in penile tissue<\/a> and semen<\/a>. Some plastic associated chemicals are capable of interfering with male hormone systems<\/a>. A new study has identified how exposure to polyethylene microplastics could contribute to erectile dysfunction in mammals<\/a>. With all the human suffering the plastic pollution crisis already causes, the prospect of plastic impacting sexual health is a striker\u2019s kick in the balls. <\/p>\n\n

During quarter finals, as fans gathered at an event near the Brooklyn Bridge, Greenpeace USA lit up the bridge and the New York skyline with a message for World Cup fans: \u201cDefend Your Balls. Dove, Kick Plastic Out.\u201d As a trusted brand, we thought its customers should know that Dove is not only a top sponsor of World Cup, it\u2019s also a top sponsor of plastic pollution, and that\u2019s not only an environmental problem, it\u2019s a human health concern. <\/p>\n\n

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A post shared by Greenpeace USA (@greenpeaceusa)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n