Former footballer and manager Harry Redknapp has become the face of a new eco-friendly DIY product after being shocked by the amount of plastic waste created during his own home renovation.
Redknapp is lending his support to UniBond’s Next Generation Sealant Cartridge - a recyclable, part-cardboard alternative that the company says can reduce plastic waste by 51% and CO₂ emissions from home projects.
The product forms part of UniBond’s drive to make everyday DIY more sustainable across UK households.
‘I had no idea how much waste these simple products create’
Redknapp said his involvement came after seeing first-hand how much waste his own renovation produced.
“I’ll be honest, I had no idea the amount of plastic waste that came from those old sealant cartridges,” Redknapp said. “I’m going through my own home renovation now and it’s definitely made me think. It’s great to see more sustainable products like this available - what a game-changing impact there would be if more people made the switch.”
Traditional sealant cartridges are typically made of single-use plastic that becomes contaminated with residue and ends up in landfill.
Innovation behind the next generation cartridge
Unibond Triple Protection Silicone Sealant for Kitchens and Bathrooms, Clear, Repels, Kills and Prevents Mould Growth, Long-Lasting Shower Sealant, 1 X 291 G Cartridge
According to UniBond, the Next Generation Cartridge is made from recycled cardboard, while the plastic cap, nozzle, and piston contain at least 49% recycled material.
The company says the design produces 73% less overall waste compared to previous cartridges.
Eve Kolesova, Head of Marketing at UniBond UK & Ireland, said: “Sealant cartridges are often overlooked as a contributor to construction waste. Our goal with the Next Generation of Cartridges is to provide a solution that performs exceptionally while significantly reducing environmental impact.”
Greener homes, bigger impact
UniBond’s data suggests that around 13 million cartridges will be used by homeowners undertaking renovations over the next two years, from resealing bathrooms and kitchens to insulating lofts and windows.
The company estimates that if all those projects used the Next Generation Cartridge, it could save the equivalent of 76 million plastic bags and nearly 2,000 tonnes of CO₂, roughly equal to one person travelling eight million miles by air.
Redknapp hopes his experience will encourage more homeowners to think about sustainability when tackling home improvement projects.
“It’s made me realise how even small changes at home can make a big difference,” he said. “If more of us thought about what we’re using, the impact could be massive.”
