CCBA-Ethiopia Starts Plastic Bottle Collection Subsidy, pledges 10mln Birr
Plastic beverage bottle collectors in Addis Ababa will be getting a subsidy from Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) aimed at boosting polyethylene terephthalate plastic (PET) bottle collection rates, the company announced on Wednesday.
The pilot project, which will be implemented for one year in two phases, will support 30 collectors with a total subsidy of up to 10 million Birr.
The subsidy will be given to the collectors based on their monthly performance and CCBA in Ethiopia plans to subsidize 1,000 Birr for every 1,000 Kg PET collected, on the condition that they hit the minimum collection rate for the month set in the agreement.
“We are committed to investing in our planet and helping make the world’s packaging problem a thing of the past,” said Daryl Wilson, CCBA in Ethiopia Managing Director, at the launch event.
The managing director said Coca-Cola has a global initiative called World Without Waste, or WWW, that plans to collect and recycle 100% of the packaging the company produces by 2030.
The Addis Ababa Cleansing Agency General Director Eshetu Lemma admired CCBA’s initiatives including changing the green Sprite bottle to clear, making recycling easier.
“Their initiatives are positively impacting PET collection rates, the collectors, and the circular economy in general,” Eshetu noted.
The Director General said Plastic bottle collection is one of the focus points for the city’s cleaning agency.
“Beyond cleaning the city, the plastic bottle gives the collectors a sustainable income,” he said. “We commend this kind of assistance from the private sector, and we will continue to work with CCBA in Ethiopia.”
CCBA in Ethiopia has also set up PET collection centers across the country and trained and empowered more than 15,000 women PET collectors.
It has brought the PETCO South Africa model to Ethiopia and established PETCO Ethiopia, mobilizing other industry players and providing $150,000 in initial funding.
“The Coca-Cola Company and all its bottling partners are leading the industry to help collect and recycle a bottle or can for every one we sell by 2030,” said Wilson.
“Regardless of where it comes from, we want every package to have more than one life.”