Dashboard: Reduction of plastic waste in the delivery of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs)
How UNICEF is reducing plastic waste and saving money with bulk packing.
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.
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
These efforts can drive positive systemic changes as UNICEF is working with the industry and global partners to enable procurement and supply models that enable and reinforce avoidance of single-use plastic bags.
UNICEF is also working to expand this model to other essential supplies supporting children’s health, education, protection and well-being.
