Home ›› 31 May 2023 ›› Corporate
Unilever Bangladesh Limited (UBL) and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) have announced a collaborative innovation and research project on sustainable plastic packaging circularity.
The two parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this end on Monday, according to a press statement.
Under the agreement UBL will collaborate with the Research and Innovation Centre for Science and Engineering (RISE), BUET for a research project titled ‘Sustainable Plastic Packaging Circularity –Cost-Effective Appropriate Technology’.
This research is part of UBL’s commitment to take action on plastic waste challenge in Bangladesh through the “less plastic, better plastic, no plastic” model, and heading to a waste-free and sustainable Bangladesh.
RISE is a research and innovation hub to stimulate and foster world-class research and encourage innovations in engineering and science, said the press statement.
This major research collaboration is aimed at addressing pressing environmental challenges, future-fit technological solutions and promoting sustainability in context of Bangladesh scenario. The project will primarily concentrate on country specific solution for mitigating the environmental impact, minimising the carbon footprint, enhancing energy efficiency, and establishing sustainable sourcing practices for raw materials and a strong focus will be placed on researching and advancing recyclable, reusable and compostable packaging solutions.
This partnership will help to create a more sustainable future for Bangladesh by collaborating on research and development, capacity building, policy advocacy, and education and awareness, according to the press statement.
Saber Hossain Chowdhury, MP, chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, attended the event as the chief guest. Professor Dr Abdul Jabbar Khan, pro-vice-chancellor of BUET, attended the event as the guest of honour.
Professor Dr Satya Prasad Majumder, vice-chancellor of BUET, presided over the ceremony, and Zaved Akhtar, CEO and Managing Director, UBL represented Unilever Bangladesh Limited. The MoU was signed by Zaved and RISE Director Professor Dr Anisuzzaman Talukder.
UBL MD Zaved said, “At Unilever, sustainability is at the heart of our business. As a part of our global commitment to improve the health of our planet, we have been driving innovative approaches to plastic waste management since 2020, which includes innovation in packaging, creating a sustainable model for plastic waste collection and management, and creating common platforms for multi-stakeholder dialogues and knowledge sharing.
“As we continue to explore avenues to create a sustainable plastic management ecosystem, there is no better time than now to start working with researchers and scientists who play a critical role in driving progress in these areas. I am humbled to have BUET, the country’s most prestigious engineering university leading innovation and research, to join hands with us and collaborate to help us to understand the industry’s current challenges and guide us towards our collective goal of sustainable plastic waste management.
Prof Dr Satya said, “Both UBL and BUET started their journey around the same time and have been instrumental in creating value for Bangladesh in their respective fields. The industry and academia can complement each other to drive innovations for a more sustainable future, but the government’s support is also crucial. In this regard, I commend the ‘Smart Bangladesh Vision 2041’ by our government that is facilitating research-driven partnerships."
Saber Hossain, said, “The three main crises in the world today are climate change, threats to biodiversity, and plastic pollution, and the future of Bangladesh depends on the implementation of policies and strategies to deal with these issues.
“The amount of plastic waste in our environment is increasing every day. Thus, plastic waste management needs to be integrated into the business model to find solutions. As an outcome of this MoU, I am hopeful that UBL, as a global brand, will share their experience with BUET and co-create innovative ways to solve the plastic problem."
