Unilever Vietnam achieves 52% reduction in virgin plastic for packaging

At Vietnam Circular Economy Forum 2023 held recently in Hanoi, Nguyen Thi Bich Van, Chairwoman of Unilever Vietnam, emphasized that successful plastic recycling requires design, cooperation, and awareness.

Plastic recycling is an important factor in promoting a circular economy, and it is crucial that plastic waste can be reused and recycled, she underlined.

Van and speakers from SCG Group and VietinBank engaged in the discussion session on promoting the circular economy at the annual Forum, which was themed “Developing a National Action Plan to Implement a Circular Economy in Vietnam”, according to VN Express.

As reported, with about 33% of plastic waste recycled, Vietnam loses about 70% of the material value of plastic, equivalent to nearly US$3 billion per year.

Unilever Vietnam has achieved reducing 52% virgin plastic in packaging. (Source: Unilever Vietnam) 

Meanwhile, Unilever Vietnam has achieved 63% recyclable or easily decomposable packaging while reducing 52% virgin plastic in package manufacturing via direct reduction and the use of recycled plastic.

Three years ago, the company entered into a public-private collaboration (PPC) with SCG Chemicals, Dow, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to develop plastic waste management for a circular economy on a national scale.

Van said that the PPC made a number of recommendations for the implementation of circular economy for plastics in the country, which requires cooperation from state agencies, collectors, recyclers, international organizations, and distributors, as well as investment in modern, effective recycling technologies.