Unilever Philippines recently renewed its partnership with long-time partner, Linis Ganda, the biggest network of junkshops, 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.
Rondell Torres, Unilever Philippines Sustainability lead, 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, as well as junkshop partners.
Since 2012, Unilever has been implementing Misis Walastik. As of December 2023, the program has 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 Quezon City, Antipolo, and Caloocan, and will expand to more cities this 2024.