Unilever commits to boosting recycling in circular economy

Unilever Vietnam's commitments to preserving and improving the health of the planet are always implemented on schedule, with some programs even reaching their finish line ahead of schedule.

Building an effective plastic management strategy

Currently, the rate of plastic waste being recycled is still very low, only about 9%. According to a report by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank, Vietnam wastes nearly 3 billion USD because it does not recycle all plastic waste from daily life. Meanwhile, Vietnam is facing a very worrying situation of plastic pollution.

Unilever representative introduces the plastic circular economy model

Determined to reduce plastic waste and develop a green economy, over the years Unilever has built a plastic management strategy with three main goals: improving packaging materials to increase recyclability; minimizing the use of virgin plastic; collecting and recycling more plastic on the market.

For many years, Unilever has been actively promoting initiatives to improve packaging materials. To date, Unilever VN has achieved 63% of recyclable or easily degradable packaging, while reducing 52% of virgin plastic in packaging production thanks to direct reduction and use of recycled plastic. Typically, Unilever's home care products will eliminate 100% of fossil carbon sources that are not environmentally friendly. To date, some products from Omo, Comfort, Sunlight, Cif, Lifebuoy have all met the criteria for product formulas that help save water and are biodegradable. In addition, product bottles from Comfort, Sunlight, Cif, Lifebuoy, Vim also contain 100% PCR recycled plastic.

With a stronger determination to promote the plastic circular economy, Unilever VN has signed a cooperation agreement with Duy Tan Recycling from 2023 to 2027 with the goal of collecting and recycling 30,000 tons of plastic waste. Manufacturers such as Unilever will use these recycled plastic pellets to produce new plastic bottles. Distributors such as retailers will bring products with recycled plastic packaging to consumers, while encouraging consumers to continue to classify plastic waste after use, so that the plastic cycle continues.

Delegates attending the discussion

Sustainable commitment

At the Vietnam Circular Economy Forum 2023 held last week in Hanoi , Unilever Vietnam leaders continued to commit to efforts to achieve the goal of reducing plastic waste and promoting recycling. Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Van, President of Unilever Vietnam shared: " With only about 33% of plastic waste being recycled today , Vietnam is losing nearly 70% of the material value of plastic, equivalent to 2.2 - 2.9 billion USD per year . While oil is increasingly scarce and prices are increasing and fluctuating unpredictably, we are throwing away a large amount of plastic, and moreover, polluting the living environment. The most effective way to solve this problem is to change the flow direction so that plastic is circulated, returning to serve life instead of being discarded. Change the relationship with plastic, not just using it once or a few times and then throwing it away. Plastic can be regenerated to continue serving us. Plastic circulation requires important factors: design, cooperation, awareness " .

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha speaks at the forum

Accordingly , for many years, Unilever has been actively promoting initiatives to improve packaging materials in line with the circular economy. To date, Unilever VN has achieved 63% of its packaging being recyclable or easily compostable, while reducing 52% of virgin plastic in packaging production thanks to direct reduction and use of recycled plastic.

Unilever's leaders shared: " Within 3 years, we have collected and recycled 25,000 tons of plastic waste into life. Manufacturers like Unilever will use these recycled plastic pellets to produce new plastic bottles. Distributors like retailers will bring products with recycled plastic packaging to consumers, while encouraging consumers to continue to classify plastic waste after use, so that the plastic cycle continues to take place . We have connected and improved the lives of 2,500 scrap workers , most of whom are women. We also honor them so that they can have a better position in society and have also communicated waste classification at source to nearly 12 million people through direct communication channels and mass media . "

Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Van

Photo: Unilever Vietnam

We need to change our relationship with plastic in a more sustainable way, liberating the value of materials up to nearly 3 billion USD/year, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reducing environmental pollution, the circular economy of plastic needs to be replicated nationwide. Therefore, a lot of cooperation is needed from state agencies, from collectors, recyclers, international organizations, distributors... It is necessary to invest in modern and effective recycling technologies for popular types of plastic. It is necessary to invest in a systematic collection system. There are incentive policies for businesses using recycled plastic to solve output and develop the plastic recycling industry. Mobilize people to participate in sorting waste at the source to have quality input for recycling"

Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Van, Chairwoman of Unilever Vietnam

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