Unilever EA Launched Its First Fully Recyclable Plastic Packaging For Sunlight Scouring Powder In Kenya
Posted on : Tuesday, 4th February 2020
Made using 100 percent recycled malleable materials, Unilever East Africa has launched its first fully recyclable plastic packaging Sunlight Scouring powder.
The launch which is symbolic in closing the post-consumer recyclate loop marks a major step and pioneer example in creating a fully circular plastic economy for the Kenyan industry.
Developed as part of a partnership with waste management service provider Green Africa Trading Limited, the new 500grams and one-kilogram packs will be on sale in Kenya and rest of the region.
Unilever says the move will reduce the use of thousands of tonnes of virgin plastic each year, once the switch is completed, thereby removing environmental pollution associated with plastics.
The move comes as part of Unilever’s search to bisect its use of virgin plastic, by reducing its complete use of plastic packaging by more than 100,000 tonnes while increasing the use of recycled plastic. It also puts the consumer goods company on a firm path to achieving its existing commitments to make sure all of its plastic packaging is reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025, and to use at least 25 percent recycled plastic in its packaging by the same year.
Bruno Witvoet, Unilever Africa President said; “At Unilever we want to decouple our growth from our environmental footprint. Today marks a great milestone in our circular economy journey. The launch of the first truly circular plastic packaging for Sunlight scouring powder in Kenya is a great win for the environment and goes a long away in our quest to make sure that plastic only remains in our economy and stays clear of the environment.”
“We are extremely excited and proud to be at the frontier of this real world example of a localized circular plastic economy. This is an important milestone to display that it is possible to create a sustainable, inclusive, traceable and fair circular plastics economy in emerging markets, with Kenya being the thought leader country to enable this.” Said Keiran Smith, Co-Founder & CEO Green Trading Africa.
The two firms called on manufacturers, the government and Kenyans in general to join the gospel of plastic recycling by better managing waste during the occasion conducted at Green Africa Trading office in Industrial Area, Nairobi.
Justin Apsey, Unilever East Africa CEO said that the move clearly demonstrates Unilever’s intent matched by action in driving responsible consumption and leading to create a brighter future for all Kenyans.
The zero waste to landfill target forms a important element of Unilever’s defended growth ambition.
“This is a pioneer breakthrough for the country by virtue of closing the plastic loop through collection, processing and repackaging right here in Kenya. It is a practical demonstration of what a truly circular economy for our plastic packaging should be and we commit to lead the way in driving even faster progress in this space.” said Apsey during a ceremony.
