Unilever presents recycled packaging and takes steps towards its sustainability goals in Kenya

On January 28th, Unilever Africa President Bruno Witvoet showcased their newly launched packaging for Sunlight scouring powder. The novelty: the packaging is made entirely out of recycled plastic. The launch of  “green packaging” is an important step for the company to achieve its sustainability goals set for 2025.

Besides using green packaging for its products, Unilever plans to cut its use of plastic through a circular economy model that also generates jobs for the local population. Reducing its plastic production and consumption goes hand in hand with the company’s ambition to reduce its environment impact. Unilever aims to ensure that 100 percent of its plastic packaging will be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025. 

Trash overflowing in Kenya's capital city Nairobi

With this goal in mind, Unilever East Africa signed a deal with Mr Green Africa - a recycling company based in Nairobi - in September 2018. The recycling plant has employed at least 1700 people to collect and deliver plastics in the capital city so far, partly with the help of funding from Unilever.

About the partnership, CEO Justin Apsey stated the following: “We have made big commitments to take the lead in creating a bright environment for future Kenyans and our environment is a key part of that. Plastics have a big role to play.“

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