An innovation drive under the theme of “Generation Green” has kicked off in Islamabad to find recycling solutions for plastic waste and bring them into the circular economy. The competition to find innovative solutions to the problem of plastics has been arranged by PepsiCo Pakistan in collaboration with the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Islamabad. The two-week event kicked off on November 16, a day ahead of the International Students’ Day.

PepsiCo Pakistan and NUST signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) earlier this year to collaborate on ways to find sustainable solutions to the plastic problem of the country. The MoA was signed between Pro-Rector (RIC) of NUST Dr Rizwan Riaz and Senior Director of Commercial and Corporate Affairs at PepsiCo Pakistan Mohammad Khosa. “Generation Green” is a part of the agenda to find sustainable solutions to the most pressing environmental problems, which broadly falls under the PepsiCo’s pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) agenda.

Students will participate in the drive to find innovative solutions to the problem of plastics and the winning team will get seed funding from the PepsiCo to kickstart, advance and scale the innovative solution. PepsiCo will also help the winning team get the required technical training and mentorship. Speaking at the launching ceremony, Muhammad Khosa said, “collaboration with NUST to recycle plastic waste is part of PepsiCo’s global agenda to reduce the waste produced by plastics.

Brilliant students of NUST will surely come up with innovative solutions that will help recycle plastics and reduce their environmental footprint. PepsiCo believes in joining hands with other partners to find solutions to our most pressing problems. Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs at PepsiCo Khurram Shah said, “this drive is a perfect example of industry-academia collaboration to find solutions to our most pressing problems. We are keen to find the next generation of changemakers and leaders who will lead the world out of its current impasse.”

Dr Rizwan Riaz said, “the launch of ‘Generation Green’ marks an important milestone in our partnership with PepsiCo to develop innovative and technology-based solutions in the areas of waste reduction and sustainability. It is a great example of industry and academia joining hands to solve some of the most pressing issues of our time and utilizing our brilliant young minds.”

Entries into the contest will remain open till November 30, 2022. The panel of judges will include faculty members from NUST, PepsiCo leadership and other members of the recycling industry of the country. PepsiCo has been working closely with partners in the recycling industry to reduce the environmental footprint of plastic waste. “Generation Green” is a part of the campaign. PepsiCo has already partnered up with Green Earth Recycling, WWF, Novatex Limited, and Saaf Suthra Shehar to strengthen the recycling infrastructure in Pakistan.

PepsiCo is also operating one of the largest collections and recycling programs to drive a circular economy of plastics in the country. PepsiCo Pakistan has also recently launched Pakistan’s first beverage bottle made from recycled plastic. This bold step towards sustainability and cutting down on virgin plastic has been welcomed by the Ministry of Climate Change (MoCC), Government of Pakistan and is in line with their “Recycle Plastics” initiative.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk