Dr. Rukaia Gashgari of Biological Science Department of King Abdulaziz University with Yasser Johari, managing director of Unilever in the Kingdom, at the signing ceremony. (AN photo)

The Saudi Environment Society (SENS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Unilever for sustainable living in Saudi Arabia on Monday.

Dr.Rukaia Gashgari, faculty of Biological Science Department at the King Abdulaziz University, signed the agreement with Yasser Johari, the managing director of Unilever in the Kingdom.

Gashgari told Arab News that they inked this MoU with the aim to spread awareness for the protection of the environment, introduce a sustainable living plan, enhance scientific research and principals of science work which was the main mission of SENS.

SENS and Unilever share the same vision of protecting the environment, especially in the area of industrial waste management and research in organic waste, which reaches 40 percent of the total solid waste generated in the Kingdom and which is converted to bio fertilizer.

This agreement will support the scientific and environmental areas through using different approaches and help in achieving the targets and objectives of the SENS, she said.

“We are here because we have common objectives to accomplish the protection and safety of the environment through government and private sector partnerships to assist awareness programs in the Kingdom,” she said, adding that “We thank Unilever for the environmental protection and sustainable living development program.”

Yasser Johari said that this agreement is important because the Unilever sustainability plan cannot be successful without the cooperation of society.

“It is important to create awareness for sustainable living in society and to be successful in achieving our targets we need to establish partnerships with local organizations who share common interests and have the ability to make a positive impact on the society,” he said. The main target of the MoU will be to effect a behavioral change among consumers by implementing certain research programs which will encourage the public to play an active role in environment protection and sustainability.

Unilever produces 140,000 tons of products where 75 percent of Unilever factories have achieved zero waste. The Saudi Arabia Unilever factory will also join this zero waste club by reducing its waste by 50 percent by the end of 2014.

“Our consumers are our key partners and it is our social responsibility to educate and engage them in simple practical activities which they can do in their daily lives to protect the environment. Our suppliers are also aware of our journey,” Johari said adding that “We have developed the capability to be more environmental friendly and will be willing to sign more agreements to keep driving this agenda across the Kingdom.”

He said that as part of their social responsibility toward sustainable living Unilever has already contacted 70,000 people to spread the awareness for the prevention of coronavirus and the right habits to stay healthy.