Unilever, a leading fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) company and manufacturer of brands such as Lipton and Lifebuoy, has signed a deal with the Abu Dhabi Co-operative Society, a leading retail chain, which also owns and operates the SPAR International franchise in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, to work closely on strengthening the society's Sustainability Agenda.

 

The Abu Dhabi Co-operative Society Group has committed to reducing, reusing and recycling its waste by 20 per cent by 2017, following Tadweer’s Waste Management strategy that is in line with the core objectives set by the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030.

 

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by Afsal Hamza on behalf of Ibrahim Abdulla Al Bahar, chief executive officer of Abu Dhabi Co-operative Society and Gaurav Rustagi, Unilever’s director for the UAE and Oman, said a statement.

 

The MoU entails developing sustainability projects which mainly targets waste production and disposal in the society's various sites as well as controlling water and energy consumption. 

 

It also outlined the implementation of employees’ engagement programs and consumer awareness campaigns, it said.

 

“Making a positive change to the community has been an integral part of Unilever’s DNA since its inception. And when it comes to environmental sustainability, we have been at the forefront in implementing different initiatives that allow us to achieve our vision – doubling the size of the business whilst reducing our environmental footprint," said Rustagi.

 

"By end 2014, we have achieved the 'zero waste to landfill' status in all of our factories around the world. Therefore it thrills us to see that a major retailer such as Abu Dhabi Co-operative society has jump on the sustainability bandwagon and is contributing to the national agenda,” he said.

 

The society has been driving the sustainability agenda within the retail sector by being the first major retailer in the UAE to implement the usage of hundred percent Biodegradable shopping bags, said the statement.

 

“Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society has always been the pioneer by constantly initiating change in the region - by way of its vision, policy and operations. Being the responsible corporate enterprise, ADCOOPS has developed several strategies to “give back to the community” and minimize its carbon footprint," said Hamza.

 

"The MoU with Unilever reaffirms the close working relationship to mutually achieve the targeted sustainability goals within the ideal time frame,” he said.

 

Unilever Gulf has been actively partnering up with retailers across the region to act as a consultant and assist them to reduce their waste, energy and water consumption in their operations and with their consumers, the statement added. - TradeArabia News Service