Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka (CCBSL) and the Waste Management Authority Western Province (WMA-WP) have launched an initiative to enhance responsible disposal of PET plastic collection in 10 local authorities of the Western Province, and to facilitate a discussion around Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Sri Lanka.
This project is a part of the WMA-WP’s ‘Pivithuru Ayathana’ program which aims to promote source segregation of waste at office premises of Local Authorities and recycling in order to ensure that waste is seen as a resource of value.
It is also a part of CCBSL’s signature waste management program ‘Give Back Life’, which as a part of its global sustainability strategy of a World Without Waste, aims to collect and recycle a bottle for each one sold by Coca-Cola in Sri Lanka by 2030.
CCBSL also extended its support to create linkages for the local authorities with the waste collectors and the recycler, Eco-Spindles (Pvt.) Ltd., who will convert ‘waste to value’ and recycle the PET plastic into bristles for brushes and yarn for garments.
This project contributes to the national economy, boosts export earnings and helps in creating a circular economy while also providing livelihoods for waste collectors and supports Sustainable Development Goals 12 (Responsible Production and Consumption), 13 (Climate Action) and 14 (Life Below Water).