Addis Ababa- 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 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 subsidise 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. Together with The Coca-Cola Company, we have a global initiative called World Without Waste (WWW), which is a plan to collect and recycle 100% of the packaging we produce by 2030,” said Daryl Wilson, CCBA in Ethiopia Managing Director, at the launch event.
The Addis Ababa Cleansing Agency General Director Dr Eshetu Lema said: “Plastic bottle collection is one of the focus points for our agency. Beyond cleaning the city, the plastic bottle gives the collectors a sustainable income.”
“We really admire the initiatives that CCBA have undertaken in Ethiopia, for example changing the green Sprite bottle to clear which makes it easier to recycle. Their initiatives are making a positive impact on PET collection rates, the collectors and the circular economy in general. Today’s subsidy launch is another milestone in making Ethiopia clean and the support to the PET collection associations is meaningful. 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 centres across the country and trained and empowered more than 15,000 women PET collectors.
CCBA has taken the initiative of bringing the PETCO South Africa model to Ethiopia and established PETCO Ethiopia, mobilising other industry players and providing $150,000 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. We’re working to bring people together to help make a World Without Waste a reality,” said Wilson.
“Regardless of where it comes from, we want every package to have more than one life.”
