Greening UNICEF’s supply chains and reducing plastic waste
UNICEF’s packaging strategy for mosquito nets eliminates need for 11.5 million plastic bags in just two years.
Small steps can make a big impact. UNICEF is in a unique position to positively impact supply chains as the largest procurement agency in the United Nations. In 2022, UNICEF procured US$7.383 billion worth of supplies and services driven by record demand for emergency supplies, vaccines, therapeutic food for malnourished children and other supplies. Measures taken to adapt packaging and reduce waste can have a huge impact when dealing with such extraordinary scale.
As part of its sustainability strategy, UNICEF is identifying where more sustainable choices can be made in its supply chains to find greater efficiencies and reduce plastic waste. Close collaboration with governments, partners and industries is vital to bring about positive change.
Environmental and financial return
The reduction of plastic waste in mosquito net packaging has shown a dramatic and immediate return, not only for the environment but also public spending. Every year, UNICEF and many other global partners, including the Global Fund and the U.S.President’s Malaria Initiative send around 220 million mosquito nets, including long-lasting insecticidal nets, to more than 120 countries.
A total of 88 per cent of these deliveries are sent to sub-Saharan Africa, which carries the highest burden of malaria cases and deaths globally. The mosquito nets are distributed to households, schools and health care institutions, often in remote areas where adequate waste management may not be possible.
Previously, most governments and partners asked UNICEF to procure mosquito nets packed in single use, individual plastic bags. There was a perception that individually packed nets were superior to those that were bulk packed. Yet, there was little evidence to support this belief.
“In 2021, we began consistently offering bulk packing of mosquito nets – that’s 50 nets wrapped in a bale – as an alternative to individually packed nets. The bales were convenient for transport and distribution,” said Valerie Markova, Contracts Specialist, UNICEF Supply Division.
Listening to feedback
UNICEF presented bulk packing as the most beneficial option, highlighting sustainability, waste reduction and cost-efficiency. Subsequently, UNICEF went one step further and changed its default purchase to bulk packaging, requesting a justification if a partner wished to have individually packed nets instead. UNICEF is listening to feedback and concerns from partners and governments to address perceived or actual barriers to accepting bulk packaging.
“The results surpassed our expectations. After a short period of actively promoting bulk packing for mosquito nets, UNICEF avoided sending 11.5 million single-use plastic bags to package mosquito nets, generating US$317,000 of savings, enough to purchase an additional 160,000 insecticide treated mosquito nets. This means more families can receive mosquito nets and thus extra protection from malaria, a life-threatening disease,” added Valerie.
Making the investment case
By uniting different stakeholders with a common goal – to protect the environment and bring greater efficiencies across supply chains – UNICEF has made significant progress in a short space of time. The model shows that governments, partners and industry take environmental issues very seriously and are eager to support initiatives that create a greener planet for all.
"UNICEF created a change in mindset and prompted stakeholders to consider the environmental impact and potential waste reduction benefits."
“Simply by shifting from offering bulk packing as an alternative to offering it as the default option, UNICEF created a change in mindset and prompted stakeholders to consider the environmental impact and potential waste reduction benefits,” added Valerie.
A compelling investment case – both environmental and financial – is a powerful tool UNICEF can use in its role as a procurement agent to influence and shape sustainable practices and supplies. The mosquito nets example proves the concept that this model can be expanded across all supply chains.
UNICEF is working to emulate this success with other essential supplies supporting children’s health, education, protection and well-being. Considering the scale of UNICEF’s supply operations, how UNICEF procures is as important as what it procures. UNICEF’s goal is to ensure sustainability is at the heart of its operations, programmes, procurement and supply chains, and to lead by example, as we work with children and young people to tackle climate change and the major environmental challenges of our time.
