Askole, Gilgit-Baltistan – 2 May 2025 — In a major step toward environmental sustainability in Pakistan’s fragile northern ecosystem, Nestlé Pakistan has expanded its Clean Gilgit-Baltistan Project (CGBP) to Askole – Zero Point, a remote mountain village nearly 10,000 feet above sea level and a key gateway to the base camps of K2 and Gasherbrum I.
Through a strategic collaboration with Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP) and the Gilgit Baltistan Waste Management Company (GBWMC), Nestlé has donated a compressing and baling machine that will enable the region to manage and recycle 40,000 kilograms of annual plastic waste.
This move is in line with Nestlé’s global vision of a waste-free future, aiming to ensure that none of its packaging, including plastics, ends up in landfills, rivers, lakes, or oceans.
“We are accelerating our actions to reduce the environmental impact of various kinds of packaging waste,” said Jason Avanceña, CEO of Nestlé Pakistan. “Our vision is that none of our packaging ends up in the environment, and projects like these are key to making that a reality.”
The newly installed machine at Askole will compress plastic and paper waste into manageable bales, which will then be transported downstream for recycling. This extension of the Clean Gilgit-Baltistan Project follows previous installations of three similar machines in Gilgit, Hunza, and Skardu, and a sorting machine developed in collaboration with EPA-GB and GBWMC.
Over the past five years, Nestlé’s environmental sustainability initiatives in the region have resulted in the management of over 6,800 tons of plastic packaging waste, making a tangible difference in one of Pakistan’s most ecologically sensitive regions.
“This effort by Nestlé at such a fragile site, so close to the Baltoro and Biafo glaciers, is commendable,” said Raja Nasir, Minister for Planning, Government of Gilgit-Baltistan. “Askole is a base for some of the world’s highest peaks, and it’s vital we protect it.”
“We are thankful Nestlé is playing a role in promoting a waste-free Gilgit-Baltistan,” added Commissioner Baltistan Kamal Khan, emphasizing the need for stronger public awareness around conservation.
Nestlé’s sustainability efforts also include the installation of 225 benches and over 100 waste bins—all made from recycled plastic—across 16 tourist hotspots in Gilgit-Baltistan, including Skardu, Hunza, Shigar, and Kharmang. In addition, the company has distributed 15,000 reusable bags to encourage eco-friendly habits among local communities.
“These partnerships are essential,” said Sheikh Waqar Ahmad, Head of Corporate Affairs & Sustainability at Nestlé Pakistan. “Sustainability challenges like packaging waste require joint efforts across the public and private sectors.”
The Askole initiative aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 12 and 17:
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
With this expansion, Nestlé Pakistan continues to solidify its role as a key player in advancing environmental sustainability in Pakistan, especially in vulnerable high-altitude ecosystems that attract both global tourists and mountaineers.
