Effective plastic waste management to enhance the circular economy is an inevitable transition in society and business. This strategy will generate a growth momentum for businesses, in addition to making positive environmental contributions.

Unilever is living proof of this statement. Unilever Vietnam has spearheaded a sustainable plastic waste management strategy, focusing on key solutions including segregation at source (SAS), collection, recycling, packaging, recyclability development, the reduction of virgin plastic use, and PCR plastic inclusion.

Refueling growth

Unilever’s waste management strategy has demonstrated comprehensive positive impacts on various aspects of its business operations.

First off, the utilization of recycled PCR plastic in packaging motivates Unilever and its brands to resolve the technical challenges of producing sustainable packaging compatible with unique product design requirements.

Unilever’s products with PCR-made packaging, including Dove, Lifebuoy, Sunsilk and Comfort, and with 100% recycled plastic packaging, including Sunlight, Lux and Love Beauty & Planet, all retain functionality and meet aesthetic demands.

A sustainable waste management strategy drives the business forward in research & development, therefore improving its competitiveness in the market.

Specifically, it requires Unilever to develop and apply new technologies to ensure all packaging is recyclable and reusable.

Another key goal of Unilever has been to cut down on the use of virgin plastic. Virgin plastic contains no recycled materials. The company has been proactive in redesigning and innovating its packaging to meet this goal.

Its OMO 3in1 capsules employ both compaction and concentration techniques, which reduce the amount of plastic used in packaging, reducing the cost of the final product.

The adoption of an efficient plastic waste management strategy is a key factor behind Unilever’s leadership in consumer trends. According to a study by the IBM Institute for Business Value’s Study, 49% of respondents said they’ve paid a premium of up to 59% for products branded as sustainable or socially responsible. Furthermore, 77% said they want to make more sustainable choices at home.

Two-thirds of respondents said they'd rather seek employment from organizations they consider to be environmentally sustainable. Alongside an attractive labour policy and an appealing workplace environment, a sustainability-oriented vision and socially responsible strategy are key to turning a workplace into a magnet for young talent.

Protecting the environment, driving collaboration

Unilever’s comprehensive plastic strategy, combining waste collection and recycling with a reduction in virgin plastic use also helps to reduce CO2 emissions.

Great things begin with small steps. Sustainability thrives with the collaboration of stakeholders in both the private and public sectors. The recent launch of Unilever's 'Plastic Waste SAS, Collection and Recycling to Drive the Circular Economy Model” between Unilever Vietnam and HCM City's District 7 People’s Committee is a prime example of this.

The collaboration not only engages local residents, communities, governmental organizations, and NGOs in implementing and promoting SAS; but also calls for the cooperation of waste collection organizations, informal waste collectors, recyclers, manufacturers and distributors, altogether creating a truly sustainable circular economy in plastic waste management.