Dashboard: Reduction of plastic waste in the delivery of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs)

UNICEF is reducing plastic waste in the delivery of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) by strategically shifting packaging requirements from individual plastic bags to bulk packing. This approach has prevented hundreds of tons of plastic waste, lowered procurement costs, and created opportunities for reinvestment.

The weekly updated dashboard above highlights the immediate benefits resulting from the reduction in plastic waste from ITN packaging.

Preventing mosquito-borne diseases

UNICEF is the largest procurement agency in the United Nations and, as part of its sustainability strategy, is exploring alternatives to make its supply chains more sustainable. Reducing plastic packaging and waste has been identified as an area that can have a significant impact.   

ITNs are crucial for preventing mosquito-borne diseases and UNICEF is one of the world’s largest procurers of this product. Every year, UNICEF and other key global partners send approximately 220 million mosquito nets to more than 120 countries.

Bulk packing

Most of the ITNs procured by UNICEF are sent to sub-Saharan Africa, which carries the highest burden of malaria cases and deaths globally. The nets are distributed to households, schools and health care institutions, often in remote areas lacking adequate waste management.

In 2022, UNICEF shifted from the use of individual bags to bulk packing as default standard for ITNs’ delivery. This has reduced single-use plastic waste and the costs associated with more expensive individual packing. In 2023, UNICEF implemented a system to accurately track and report plastic waste reduction and savings in ITNs’ delivery.

Systemic changes

UNICEF also drives positive systemic changes by working with industry and partners to support procurement and supply models that enable and reinforce avoidance of single-use plastic bags.

UNICEF has been pivotal in changing the regulations on how ITNs without individual bags can be transported globally. Thanks to a proposal led by UNICEF, co-submitted with the World Health Organization and supported by partners, in 2025 the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe exempted ITNs from global regulations on the transport of dangerous goods. 

This decision removed regulatory barriers and paves the way for lower product and delivery cost while significantly reducing plastic waste in packaging – saving thousands of tons annually and safeguarding essential financial resources. To harness these gains, UNICEF continues its work with stakeholders to establish corresponding new industry standards for ITNs packaging.