National University of Science and Technology (NUST) and PepsiCo Pakistan signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to collaborate on enabling a circular economy for plastics.
The MoA was signed by Pro-Rector NUST Dr Rizwan Riaz and Senior Director Commercial and Corporate Affairs PepsiCo Pakistan Mohammad Khosa.
Under the MoA, NUST and PepsiCo will launch joint collaboration programs that will help tackle the growing challenge of plastic waste in Pakistan.
Collaboration programs will include R&D projects, specialized training programs, research events and student competitions on finding practical solutions to the challenges of plastic waste.
Additionally, both organizations will also collaborate on important topics of sustainability, climate change and sustainable agriculture.
PepsiCo envisions a world where packaging never becomes a waste. As a company, it recognizes the important role it plays in driving toward a circular economy and reducing plastic waste.
As a global food and beverage company, PepsiCo aims to use its reach and influence to help change the way society makes, uses and disposes off plastics. In Pakistan, PepsiCo has launched several meaningful programs to drive a circular economy for plastics.
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In 2021, the company launched one of the largest waste collection and recycling programs in Pakistan by collecting 16000 tons of plastic. PepsiCo has doubled down on its plastic waste collection and recycling program for 2022.
PepsiCo is also incentivizing plastic waste collection for the citizens of Islamabad and Rawalpindi by giving Aquafina refills in exchange for used bottles.
The company also unveiled a first-of-its-kind Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) in Islamabad to raise consumer awareness.
These initiatives are part of the company’s PepsiCo Positive agenda, a strategic end-to-end business transformation with sustainability and human capital at the center of how the company will create growth and value.
Senior Director Commercial and Corporate Affairs PepsiCo Pakistan Mohammad Khosa commented, “PepsiCo is committed to resolving the issue of plastic waste in Pakistan. We believe that engaging the faculty and students of a world-renowned institution like NUST will create long-lasting dividends for Pakistan. I thank NUST for their partnership and look forward to all the great work ahead.”
NUST is one of the leading Pakistani universities that is home to the only sustainability office in any university in Pakistan and has embedded the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across its research, operations, governance, as well as internal and external collaborations.
The institution has recently been ranked at No.334 in the world according to Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) rankings, retaining 1st position in Pakistan.
The university is known for several of its initiatives such as holding the first national dialogues on SDGs, and seminars on various topics ranging from plastic waste and collection to advocating for women’s rights and youth dialogues on climate action.
Dr Rizwan Riaz, Pro-Rector NUST said, “NUST is thrilled to have joined hands with PepsiCo to further its sustainability agenda in Pakistan. Creating a sustainable environment is a top agenda for NUST and we take pride in our students and our research initiatives which are one of the leading assets of the country. We look forward to a partnership that can create initiatives for a cleaner and greener Pakistan”.
