Marking a milestone in their journey towards sustainability, Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka (CCBSL) and Ceylon Cold Stores Elephant House (EH) created history in Sri Lanka as they joined forces to enhance recyclable plastic collection along the Central Expressway. The partnership marks the joint responsibility of CCBSL and EH contributing towards Extended Producer Responsibility and recycling, as they commemorate the partnership in the month of World Recycling Day and International Day of Zero Waste.
CCBSL, EH, together with John Keells Group’s social entrepreneurship project ‘Plasticcycle’ and Eco Spindles are partnering with the Road Development Authority (RDA) to establish 16 recyclable plastic collection points across the Central Expressway. The initiative was launched in the presence of Chief Guest Mr. Anura Kehelella, Additional Director, Expressway Operation, Maintenance & Management Division, Road Development Authority at the Meerigama entrance of the expressway.
With the RDA’s approval and guidance, these recyclable plastic-collection points will be placed on the Central Expressway, in the exit locations of Mirigama, Nakalagamuwa, Dambokka, Kurunegala and Yaggapitiya. Their recycling partner Eco Spindles will collect and convert the waste into bristles for brooms and brushes and yarn for garments sold locally and internationally. This is a holistic approach to recyclable waste management in the country with each of the beverage companies playing an impactful role in the process. EH and Plasticcycle had partnered with the RDA previously to establish PET collection points on the Southern Highway, and CCBSL has done the same on the Katunayaka expressway.
The RDA noted, “Linking key cities of the country, we see the Central Expressway playing a vital role in providing access to timely transportation for hundreds of motorists on a daily basis. Reflecting on their patterns of waste disposal, it is clear that this initiative encourages proper disposal of plastic waste along the expressway, which can be recycled into finished goods that also give back to the country in terms of export earnings. This is an initiative that needs to be celebrated. I invite all corporates in the country to consider a similar approach.”
Sharing their thoughts on one of their key milestones in the sustainability journey, Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka, Director – Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability, Thamari Senanayake, said “Much has been said on waste collection and recycling, both locally and globally. However, the collective action that needs to be taken to make it happen is lacking in many industries. I am proud to see CCBSL and EH come together for one common cause, putting our differences aside. With this mentality, Sri Lanka is not far from regaining the environmental and economic prosperity we can attain!’’
Adding further thought, Head of Production and Regulatory Affairs of Ceylon Cold Stores PLC and Assistant Vice President of John Keells Group’s Ovin de Silva, stated “This partnership showcases the commitment for two leading beverage brands towards sustainability and supporting the circular economy. We will continue to work closely with our public and private sector partners in providing sustainable solutions towards reducing the plastic footprint of our industry”.
Mr. Prasantha Malimbadage, CEO of Eco Spindles Recycling added, “We are thankful to the RDA and the partners here today for their valuable contribution. Waste management is often spoken about but rarely acted on. It is refreshing to see these companies pay attention to and prioritize an often-overlooked problem. Thank you for recognizing our part in building a sustainable economy. We look forward to working together!’’
CCBSL, under its “Give Back Life” programme, which advocates for a World Without Waste, has thus far established over 500 PET plastic collection points around Sri Lanka, out of which 21 are large-scale huts with a capacity to collect 5000 kg of plastic waste. The Coca-Cola system in Sri Lanka also adopted 8 beaches and water bodies in the country, cleaned daily under their ‘‘Adopt a Beach’’ programme, and established Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) across many districts in the country. Notably, CCBSL’s efforts towards recyclable plastic collection was recognized at the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards 2022, as their comprehensive Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) was awarded under the Best Sustainability Project Award category.
This project is also one of many initiatives undertaken by Elephant House under their CSR and sustainability brand ‘Gunadamin’ Elephant House. Elephant House has also invested in MRFs across the country, providing the necessary infrastructure to collect PET waste. Gunadamin Elephant House, together with its partners, works with many collectors and recyclers to ensure that PET waste is disposed of responsibly, ultimately helping to reduce environmental impacts. One of these partners is ‘Plasticcycle’, the social entrepreneurship project of the John Keells Group, launched with the vision to be the catalyst in significantly reducing plastic pollution in Sri Lanka. Since its launch in 2017, Plasticcycle works in the 3 key focus areas of encouraging the reduction of single-use plastics through awareness creation, supporting responsible disposal with a network of over 250 bins and promoting recycling and innovation.
