Unilever, Wildlands promote green-preneurship

The initiative forms part of the broader Unilever Sustainable Living plan, with specific and measurable targets for 2020.The company is committed to double its business, whilst halving environmental impact and increasing positive social impact.

"Through these collaborative initiatives, closely linked to our Unilever Sustainable Living Plan, that we deliver a brighter future for South African communities," says Pamela Stander, Unilever Sustainability Lead for Africa.

The Wildlands Conservation Trust is a non-profit organisation that promotes green-preneurship by enabling disadvantaged communities to collect recyclable waste and grow trees, which they then barter for livelihood support items such as groceries, bicycles, Jojo tanks, building materials and school fees.

Barter for waste

As part of the initiative, Unilever provides Wildlands with access to health and hygiene packs, which green-preneurs barter for collected waste. The packs contain some of Unilever's most popular products, such as Sunlight Laundry Bar, Knorrox, Lifebuoy soap, Domestos, Rama, Pedsodent and Vaseline. One pack can be bartered for 70kg recyclable plastic, or between 20 to 40 indigenous trees grown (size dependant).

"Wildlands do not 'hand out' livelihood support items," said Wildland's CEO, Dr Andrew Venter. "We promote entrepreneurship with our barter-reward model based on national greening activities. When partners like Unilever come forward with items that can add value to the lives of our hard working green-preneurs, we are extremely appreciative and grateful."

The first handover of packs took place on Friday, 16 May in the Haniville community in KwaZulu-Natal. Over 60 community members turned out for the day, many of whom who were previously unemployed, but are now able to support themselves and their families through the waste collection programme.

Win-win situation

At the handover, members of the Unilever Future Leaders Programme (UFLP) provided training on how to use the products contained in the health and hygiene packs more effectively. "The project is a win-win for Unilever, as it not only helps us achieve our ambition of improving livelihoods, but also provides a new way to get our product into the hands of consumers who haven't had access to these products before. The unique bartering mechanic of the waste-collection and tree growing programmes enables this," said UFLP project member, Andrzej Ogonowski.

In terms of the future of the project, Ogonowski highlighted the importance of aligning Unilever's business and sustainability objectives. "When a project helps not only from a sustainability standpoint, but also provides a growth opportunity, there is inevitably going to be more interest and support. "This is going to help us in our objectives of growing the project to 5000 packs this year, and ultimately making it a sustainable project that can continue to run for years to come."