Unilever PH renews partnership with Linis Ganda
UNILEVER Philippines recently renewed its partnership with Linis Ganda, the biggest network of junk shops, waste pickers and recyclers in the country.
Linis Ganda has been Unilever’s plastic collection partner since 2017 in its long-running flagship program, “Misis Walastik,” a community-based waste collection and education program for flexible plastics such as sachets, plastic bags and other single-use packaging.
Unilever Philippines Sustainability lead Rondell Torres emphasized Unilever’s commitment to step up its waste diversion efforts for flexible and rigid plastic waste ahead of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Law mandates while supporting the informal waste sector through its waste pickers and eco-aid networks.
Since 2012, Unilever has been implementing “Misis Walastik.” As of December 2023, the program had collected over 16.9 thousand metric tons of post-consumer flexible plastic waste, which has been diverted out of landfills and waterways and into a circular economy through Linis Ganda and various other partners.
Linis Ganda and its growing network of waste workers are present in three cities: Quezon City, Antipolo and Caloocan. It will expand to more cities this 2024.
Globally, Unilever has set itself to reduce package waste in its value chain since 2010 and is driving consistent actions to achieve its ambitious commitments.
With a timeline of delivery by 2025, these commitments include reducing the amount of virgin plastic used in manufacturing; supporting the collection and processing of its plastic waste, ensuring plastic packaging is designed to be reusable, recyclable or compostable; and increasing the use of post-consumer recycled plastic material in their packaging.