EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Unilever has defined a 0% waste contribution to landfill as one of the main goals in the
creation of their new facility, Indonsa. Some products manufactured at this facility make use
of laminated packaging. This packaging is useful in that it protects the product, ensures
quality and increases its shelf life. However, the disposal of laminated packaging poses an
environmental problem. Unilever seeks to find a sustainable method of managing the
laminated packaging waste to achieve its 0% target contribution to landfills.
Laminated packaging is a range of different layers bound together to create a composite
material. It comprises aluminium-foil, paper and plastic. This makes it difficult to recycle
because the complexity of separating the individual materials makes it expensive.
The recommended solution for this waste problem is pyrolysis. This is a process patented by
Enval, a company based in the UK. The process uses microwaves to separate the aluminium
and plastic laminates. Its strength is its capability in the extraction of 100% reusable
aluminium. Pyrolysis uses a unique form of heating, up to 500C, in oxygen deprived
surroundings, resulting in degradation of the material. Microwaves heat and degrade carbon
in a layered material which results in a source of heat that converts plastic into oils. These
oils and evaporated plastics that are collected from the process may be used as a fuel and
chemical feedstock or reused in petroleum based products, oil.
Constraints with such a process are capital cost funding, risk in feasible sustainability,
collection of materials and public participation.
It would be a good idea to partner with companies using similar packaging in implementing
the technology, to mitigate the capital cost effect. For a successful recycling system Unilever
will need to increase their recovery of scrap laminated packaging. An education road show
informing school children on the importance of recycling can be rolled out in the rural areas
to create more awareness. The pupils can be prompted to gather these laminated packages
from their households and communities, bring them to their schools and deposit in the
collection bins placed on their school grounds. Pupil participation can be encouraged by
rewarding each learner with Unilever hampers for their families i.e.; Sunlight green bar soap,
Vaseline petroleum jelly and Knorr soup packets, for every set target reached by their
schools. This will ensure that the whole community is reached, attract new potential

customers to the Unilever brand while also strengthening their relationship with their already
existing customers.
A similar trial run will be implemented in the urban areas except that people living in those
areas will not be given incentives.
To a self sustaining after the pilot period the collection points will be retained at the schools.
A points system will be established where customers will be given Unilever cards. These
points can be redeemed to buy Unilever products at recognised retailers. This point system
can be extended to both urban and rural areas.
The process of pyrolysis should first be implemented as a small pilot project to determine its
feasibility as a sustainable method of waste management for Unilever, Indonsa.

SURVIVAL OF THE EARTH-EST...

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH WASTE MANAGEMENT

Executive Summary
Group: Rainforest

12 JULY 2012