Alexander Samuels, Keletsamaile Motatsa
Abstract
The study’s main goal was to determine the variables that inhibit sustainable packaging procurement in South Africa. The Unilever group had numerous problems. This study investigated these problems further and provided strategies to address them. Furthermore, the study sought to explore strategies to mitigate the consequences of climate change by contributing to sustainable packaging, which would eventually contribute to a reduction in the organisation’s carbon footprint.
A crucial finding from the study revealed that in South Africa, acquiring recyclable material is cheaper than purchasing virgin material, in contrast to other nations across the world, where purchasing virgin material is cheaper than purchasing recycled material.
Using an exploratory case study method, the study focused on factors inhibiting Unilever’s sustainable procurement of packaging materials in South Africa. A qualitative research approach was used to determine the critical challenges of procuring packaging materials. The study was conducted at the headquarters of Unilever in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. With a sample size of three participants, purposive sampling was used. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were used as a data collection tool. NVivo 12 was used as thematic analysis software for this qualitative study.
Plastic packaging waste has contributed significantly to the country’s waste stream. As a result, this study encourages sustainable buying and using recyclable or compostable packaging materials, reducing landfill pressure and creating a circular South African economy.