Karachi, August 10, 2018: Reckitt Benckiser (RB), makers of Dettol, Mortein, and Harpic, has partnered with World Wildlife Fund (WWF), under their pledge for ‘Hoga Saaf Pakistan’, to help beat plastic pollution in the country. The two organizations are calling out people to bring in empty plastic bottles at Dolmen Mall Clifton from 10th to 14th August. Waste Busters has joined hands with RB and WWF to properly dispose these bottles and recycle them.
Single-use plastic has been the biggest contributor to clogging cities and oceans with plastic waste. A UN report stated that around the world one million plastic drinking bottles are purchased every minute. Almost half of all plastic produced is designed for single use and then thrown away. The aim of this activity is not only to create awareness on reducing the usage of plastic but also to ensure plastic packaging is recycled and reused as much as possible.
The RB and WWF-led activity will serve as the launch of the bigger“Green Innovation Challenge (GIC)” across top universities nationally. The challenge will call upon university students to come up with solutions on how we can reduce plastic pollution and ensure the environment remains clean. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Clean Seas, Careem, Espresso, JS Bank, National Incubation Center (NIC) Karachi, the NEST I/O, Nestlé and Artistic Mills have joined hands for the cause.
Fahad Ashraf, Chief Executive, RB Pakistan said, “RB’s plastic bottles range in Pakistan is recyclable as part of our organization’s commitment to reduce plastic pollution and our “HogaSaaf Pakistan” pledge for a healthier and cleaner country. Globally also we at RB have pledged 100 percent of our packaging is recyclable or reusable products by 2025. However, it won’t be possible for us to make a change globally on our own. This initiative is one of our firsts in creating meaningful partnerships to find possible solutions and beat plastic pollution.”
Dr. Babar Khan (Director Wildlife)/ Regional Head (Sindh-Balochistan) spokesperson, WWF said, “Global Innovation Challenge is a coordinated effort with all our partners to solve the problem of plastic pollution. This Independence Day, when the spirits are high, we request all citizens to come forward and be a part of this initiative so together we can create a cleaner and safer Pakistan for our future generations.”
About RB Pakistan:
RB (formerly called Reckitt & Coleman) is the world’s leading consumer health and hygiene company. It has operations in over 60 countries, with headquarters in the UK and sales in almost 200 countries. RB Pakistan (through an Associated Company) began operations in the late ’50s. The Company invested $23 million in 2013 and continues to further invest in areas including manufacturing, factory expansion, education programs, and communication along with consumer coordination.
