The Waste to Go
Unilever sets an environmental example by keeping its backyard clean
By Roxanne V. Lu
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| The volume of waste generated by Metro Manila residents averages almost 7,000 metric tons per day |
Waste management is a serious concern facing the country today. In highly congested areas like Metro Manila, the volume of waste generated by the more than 10 million residents averages almost 7,000 metric tons per day. Unfortunately, most of the waste is not recycled. This is not only damaging to the environment, it also actually translates to opportunity losses since recycling can be a minor source of revenue.
Unilever's Mission
There are, however, notable efforts regarding recycling in the private sector. A number of corporations are already adopting their own waste management systems. For instance, the multinational corporation Unilever, which has already made a global mark in the area of corporate citizenship with its programs centered on social development, has taken to heart the principle of reduce, reuse, and recycle. The manufacturer of popular foods, home, and personal care products has made it the company’s goal to eliminate the non-beneficial environmental impact of its operations and production processes.
In the Philippines, Unilever is exerting serious effort to strictly adhere to environmentally compliant and ISO-certified processes to minimize, if not eliminate, harmful wastes coming from its plants. In 2003, the company discovered that its factory in Paco, Manila, was generating 1,200 tons of landfill, including used paper, leftover food from the company canteen, and packaging materials—waste that could be converted to useful materials. Challenged by the situation, Unilever created Project Eliminate.
Walking the Walk
Project Eliminate’s primary objective is to reduce air and water pollution generated by its factory and offices in Paco. Under this project, Unilever developed a basic program of reducing and avoiding the generation of waste, sorting recyclable waste, and developing a treatment for waste that cannot be recycled to eliminate the need for landfills.
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| Unilever has taken to heart the principle of reduce, reuse, and recycle |
In just one year after the project’s launch, Unilever successfully reduced its solid waste by 95%. Through an initiative called “total productive maintenance,” the company was able to control and cut by 80% the amount of solid waste generated by the manufacture of packaging materials. Then by sorting and recycling waste that was generated, Unilever was able to reduce its garbage by 50%. A process was also established to use the residual packing wastes as a co-fuel for cement manufacture. Aside from the figures, the success of Project Eliminate is very evident in the conversion of the company’s old dumpsite into a parking lot.
Another positive outcome of Project Eliminate is the partnership that Unilever has established with the Smokey Mountain Cooperative. In coordination with the cooperative, Unilever drops off its recyclable waste at the Material Recovery Facility in Smokey Mountain, where these are then sorted, recycled, and composted. By supporting the recycling facility, Unilever is able to help the parish cooperative’s livelihood project and assist 20,000 former scavengers dwelling in the area. Unilever also donated more than five tons of office waste and factory residuals, which were converted into concrete products and used in the construction of the Church of the Risen Christ in Smokey Mountain.
Returns and Recognitions
Through Project Eliminate, Unilever has solidified its commitment to a clean and green environment while supporting the social development of the community it operates in. Because of its remarkable success, Unilever’s Project Eliminate was bestowed the 2006 Asian Corporate Social Responsibility Award for Environmental Excellence by the Asian Institute of Management. This recognition is given to Asian companies that demonstrate ethical leadership in doing business while protecting and nurturing the environment.
Unilever is also reaping the benefits of its efforts in intangible ways. For instance, the project has helped change the work culture and operations of the company. The company’s officers and employees feel good about the positive impact the project has had on the environment and community, and are thus motivated to sustain the project.
It is often said, “clean your own backyard.” In Unilever’s case, it has not only cleaned up its backyard, it is leaving no environmental footprints behind. |
