On the occasion of Vietnamese Women’s Day, October 19, Unilever Vietnam and VietCycle organized a “Ceremony to honor green warriors for a civilized Vietnam with trash”, and summarized the journey of “Reviving plastic waste”. ” during the past 10 years.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, each year in Vietnam only 27% of plastic waste is recycled and utilized by establishments and businesses. Notably, according to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), it is estimated that more than 30% of waste in Vietnam is collected by informal labor forces, of which women make up the majority. It can be said that female workers working as waste collectors are silent green warriors who directly contribute to protecting the environment.

Over the past 2 years, Unilever’s “Revitalizing Plastic Waste” project has supported more than 2.500 waste workers to improve living and working conditions, provide labor protection equipment, home care products and more. individual monthly.

The project contributes to empowering and giving opportunities for women to develop, creating positive added value for society and the community, thereby enhancing women’s position in family and society, contributing to promoting committed to gender equality.

At the event, women who work in recycling bottles and collecting plastic waste had the opportunity to share about the difficulties in the working process, as well as their own desires. Many women expressed joy and happiness when their work was gradually recognized by society.

Ms. Le Thi Luong (58 years old, freelance collector) shared about the positive impacts that the “Revitalizing plastic waste” program has brought over the past 2 years: “When entering the streets and alleys, we I often have people say this and that, and sometimes I feel very sorry for myself. When participating in the program, we feel more confident knowing our work is an important part of the future and society. For the first time, our women learned how to classify waste and were equipped with labor protection equipment during the process of collecting plastic waste. Not only that, women participating in the program also received gifts. monthly, and provide morale support.”

At the event, Unilever representatives shared experiences, as well as called for finding sustainable solutions, raising people’s awareness of environmental protection, and promoting green lifestyles in the community. The plastic waste recycling movement not only provides a source of plastic materials for Unilever, but also aims for a greater goal: contributing to environmental protection, for a greener Vietnam.

The “Revitalizing Plastic Waste” project was launched in 2021, to promote the circular economy model and improve working conditions, safety, health, and life for female workers. Over the past two years, the program has implemented many practical activities such as: Collecting and processing plastic waste; Education and communication; Improve capacity and support informal waste workers.

After 2 years of implementing the project “Reviving plastic waste”, more than 20.000 tons of plastic waste have been classified, collected and recycled; More than 150 plastic waste collection facilities have been established; Support and capacity building for more than 2.500 freelance bottle workers.

The project is one of Unilever Vietnam’s many activities within the framework of three strategic focuses on sustainable development: Improving the health of the planet; Improve people’s health, confidence and happiness and contribute to a fairer, more inclusive society for everyone.