True to its objective of making its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2030, the FMCG company encourages citizens to mobilize through donations.
Editor’s Note: This content is sponsored by P&G Philippines and produced by BrandRap, Rappler’s sales and marketing arm. No member of the editorial staff or editorial staff participated in the production of this article.
Each year, around 300 million tonnes of plastic waste are produced. In 2015, it was estimated that only around 9% of plastics ever produced had been recycled. This is why plastic waste is an issue Procter & Gamble takes seriously.
Procter & Gamble recognizes the role plastic pollution plays in climate change and has long been committed to finding solutions that can help save the environment while ensuring that customers will continue to receive the products they need in the world. their daily life. These climate action plans include reassessing their supply chains to make them more environmentally friendly, as well as switching to recyclable or reusable packaging by 2030.
All over the world, they are making strides in the reduction, recovery, recycling and reuse of plastic products. And in the Philippines, P&G continues to engage in meaningful partnerships and programs to inspire others to follow suit.
Collect, deposit, earn
There is a growing plastic collection movement in the country where individuals can drop off the discarded plastic they have accumulated. Other groups use recycling or upcycling centers to find ways to turn waste into new products. P&G is one of many who are now investing in this movement and keeping the momentum going.
P&G has partnered with SM Cares to be part of its Plastic Waste Collection (PWC) program which is managed with the Plastic Credit Exchange (PCX), a non-governmental organization that helps businesses collect and recycle plastic waste. Other companies like PricewaterhouseCoopers, Nestlé Philippines and Colgate-Palmolive Philippines are also participating.
Through the program, individuals can visit different SM Supermalls to donate plastic waste and in return get 10% discounts on select Safeguard and Oral B products at any Watsons branch.
Donors can visit the PWC Blue Vans at the following locations every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from November 20 to December 20, 2021:
- SM shopping center
- SM Asia Mall
- SM North EDSA
- SM Fairview
- SM Marikina
- SM Ortigas East
- SM Marilao
- SM Southmall
The PWC program accepts almost all types of plastic waste, except PVC pipe and other building materials. Examples of plastic you can give are sando bags, PET and HDPE bottles (generally used for drinks and cleaning products, shampoos), polystyrene, disposable containers, utensils, straws, sachets, bubble wrap and small tires. Plastics must be empty, clean and dry.
The plastics collected in these points will be transformed into other products such as cement, paving stones, planks, chairs, etc.
P&G is committed to tackling plastic pollution
Joining the plastic waste collection program is by no means P & G’s only effort to tackle plastic pollution. By offering discounts, this is their way of encouraging people to be more aware of what they are consuming and where the waste goes when they are done.
Among their biggest commitments is the shift to recyclable or reusable packaging by 2030 around the world. Along the way, they will also reduce the use of virgin plastic by 50% and create smarter packaging solutions that will serve as the foundation for a circular economy.
These are efforts that P&G is exploring today. In fact, Safeguard multipacks now use 100% recycled paper cartons from old virgin plastic overwrap packaging, which has reduced potential plastic waste by approximately 8,500 km. Herbal Essences shampoo bottles are now also partially made with recycled plastic waste (around 25%). P&G also partnered with World Vision’s Pag-asa Sa Basura program which turned salvaged pouches into 2,000 classroom chairs that were donated to elementary schools.
In addition to tackling the plastics crisis, P&G is also taking other climate action. Here in the Philippines, its Cabuyao plant has reduced its water consumption, recycled wastewater and switched to 100% renewable electricity.
The climate and plastic crises are two sides of the same coin and can only be resolved if people work together. These programs are just the start for P&G, but they’re already starting to show the rest of the world that even a multinational conglomerate as large as theirs can be committed to making the world a better place.
For more information on P&G commitments and progress, you can visit https://us.pg.com/environmental-sustainability/. – Rappler.com