Pakistan wastes 3.3m tons of plastic every year

KARACHI: 2020 was a year filled with fear and setbacks; and while we did everything in our power to keep ourselves safe and comforted, we couldn’t end up keeping our environment safe and comforted.

As a result of single-use face masks, disposable gloves and panic buying during the lockdown in polythene bags, our oceans saw a surge in plastic waste – a problem that has already been haunting our planet way before the pandemic. In fact, it is estimated that by 2050 we will see more plastic waste in the ocean than fish.

Not only that, this contribution to the plastic problem is also institutionally driven. The fact that major brands still fail to take into account the environmental risks of their plastic packaging only found itself further fueled when bulk buying took place amid lockdown.

In this scenario, Unilever has emerged as one organization that has recognized, acknowledged, and realized the detrimental affects of mass produced and packaged products on the planet. And they didn’t just stop there. Knowing all too well about the drastic effects of plastic, Unilever has not only taken steps to reduce plastic from its packaging but is also urging Pakistan to #FaceThePlastic with several initiatives and activations.

After all, a problem of this magnitude can only be tackled with a response of a similar magnitude.

Unilever Pakistan, in light of the entity’s global initiative to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic waste is helping people #FaceThePlastic in a way never done before.

By reducing the plastic percentage in their packaging, Unilever Pakistan has showcased how such small efforts can have a greater impact. Unilever Pakistan has changed the packaging of:

Unilever Pakistan acknowledges its contribution to plastic waste, and like any conscious organization, it aims to be part of the solution. That solution includes making active efforts to shift to a circular model and reduce the plastic it creates.

Unilever Pakistan has also partnered with UNDP to make Rahim Yar Khan a zero-plastic-waste city. This pilot program in Rahim Yar Khan enables Unilever Pakistan to collect the plastic wastage from homes and offices to reduce plastic wastage in the city. Unilever Pakistan wants us all to focus on the long-term impact of plastic waste which we have been ignoring conveniently so far. #FaceThePlastic highlights Unilever Pakistan's efforts to reduce their carbon footprint by considering the plastic waste created by their packaging. This is also in line with UNDP’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 12 & 17 that encourage sustainable consumption and production patterns and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development respectively.

Unilever Pakistan is now actively looking for partners who will play an integral role in the expansion of this initiative. If you think you are the one and have an idea or an ongoing business to make our society a better place to live in then just fill the form below and our team will get in touch with you!