PepsiCo Pakistan has proudly launched a transformative Coastal Clean-up Project in collaboration with WWF-Pakistan at the Karachi Fish Harbor. This initiative is aligned with PepsiCo’s global sustainability agenda, PepsiCo Positive (pep+), which aims to drive positive change for the environment and society. The project’s inception is based on WWF-Pakistan’s comprehensive scoping study on waste quantification and characterization at coastal sites in Karachi.
The primary objective of the Coastal Clean-up Project is to gather and effectively manage waste through a concerted campaign. Moreover, the project seeks to raise awareness among the local community and relevant stakeholders about recycling and proper waste disposal.
To mark this significant occasion, PepsiCo associates were joined by WWF-Pakistan’s team and representatives from prominent government organizations including Sindh Environmental Protection Agency, National Institute of Oceanography, Marine Fisheries Department, Sindh Fisheries, Karachi Fisheries Harbor Authority, and the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum. The event also featured the formal inauguration of a litter boom installation, which is a floating barrier designed to strategically halt litter from entering water sources.
Ghazi Salahuddin, Regional Head Sindh and Balochistan, WWF-Pakistan, expressed during the inauguration, “Our oceans are burdened with waste which is impacting the health of our marine ecosystems. Addressing coastal littering, caused largely by human activity and movement, is paramount if we are to conserve nature.”
Basit Pirzada, Senior Manager Public Policy, Government Affairs, and Sustainability at PepsiCo Pakistan, underscored the importance of plastic collection and recycling. He also highlighted PepsiCo Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to advancing the circular economy of plastics, collaborating with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Government of Pakistan.
“PepsiCo is dedicated to plastic reduction through collection, recycling, and fostering a circular economy for plastics. Our PepsiCo Positive (pep+) agenda envisions a world where plastic never has to become waste. We are working diligently with partners like WWF-Pakistan to implement innovative technologies that tackle immediate issues and create awareness for long-term, impactful change on the ground. Furthermore, we are leveraging the strength of our brands to raise public awareness on proper waste disposal and recycling, safeguarding the well-being of our riverine, coastal, and marine habitats,” said Basit Pirzada.
As the event concluded, Nazifa Butt, Head of Climate & Energy Program at WWF-Pakistan, stressed the importance of such initiatives, stating, “There is an urgent need for activities and cleanup projects that enhance public awareness of managing debris along our coastline. Through corporate engagement, we can expedite the deployment of locally manufactured technologies to address the issue of plastics in our oceans and rivers, while also supporting broader policies focused on waste management and plastics reduction.
