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Africa Plastics Recycling Alliance

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LAUNCHING THE AFRICA PLASTICS RECYCLING ALLIANCE ON THE OCCASION OF THE AFRICA CEO FORUM

Collective action to transform plastics recycling infrastructure across Sub-Saharan Africa and build new economic opportunity

25 March 2019, Kigali, Rwanda – A number of international consumer goods companies operating across Africa including Diageo, Unilever, The Coca Cola Company, and Nestlé launched the Africa Plastics Recycling Alliance today at the CEO Africa Forum in Kigali. This Alliance aims to turn the current challenge of plastic waste in Sub Saharan Africa into an opportunity to create jobs and commercial activity by improving the collection and recycling of plastics. The Africa Plastics Recycling Alliance has been established for companies to: 25 March 2019, Kigali, Rwanda – A number of international consumer goods companies operating across Africa including Diageo, Unilever, The Coca Cola Company, and Nestlé launched the Africa Plastics Recycling Alliance today at the CEO Africa Forum in Kigali. This Alliance aims to turn the current challenge of plastic waste in Sub Saharan Africa into an opportunity to create jobs and commercial activity by improving the collection and recycling of plastics. The Africa Plastics Recycling Alliance has been established for companies to:

  • - Facilitate and support their local subsidiaries to engage proactively in market level public private partnerships, industry collaboration and alliances
  • - Share knowledge, encourage innovation and collaborate on technical and other solutions appropriate for Sub-Saharan Africa as well as participate in local pilot initiatives
  • - Engage with the investment community, policy makers and others to accelerate the development and financing of the necessary waste management infrastructure and systems.

“Plastics will remain an important packaging material if we are to give African consumers the safe and affordable products they need. However, we need to ensure that the packaging used ends up in the right place.. Unfortunately, a lack of collection and recycling capacity in many African markets coupled with growing populations is creating a growing problem of plastics waste. We see an opportunity to tackle that problem in a way that creates jobs and reduces dependency on imported materials while alternatives to plastics are developed. Collaboration within and across markets will be key to success so we are proud to launch the Africa Plastics Recycling Alliance today to increase those efforts and play our part as companies in finding solutions that work for Africa.” - The Africa Plastics Recycling Alliance

For more information please contact:
Diageo: Gabriel Opoku-Asare, Head of Diageo in Society Africa: [email protected] +233 24 390 0550
Unilever: Dougie Brew, Head of Corporate Affairs, Africa: [email protected] +44 7827256175
The Coca Cola Company: Nestlé: Christoph Meier, Head of Corporate Media Relations: [email protected] + 41 21 9242200

 
Company Corporate Level Commitment
unilever 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable and 25% recycled plastic content by 2025. Reduce packaging weight by one third and halve waste associated with product disposal by 2020. New Plastics Economy Global Commitment signatory. https://www.unilever.com/sustainable-living/reducing-environmental-impact/waste-and-packaging/rethinking-plastic-packaging/
the cocacola company To help collect and recycle the equivalent of every bottle or can it sells globally by 2030, produce packaging that is 100% recyclable by 2025 and to use at least 50% recycled material in packaging by 2030. Existing partners include The Ocean Conservancy/Trash Free Seas Alliance, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (New Plastics Economy initiative)
diageo Ensure 100% of plastic use is designed to be widely recyclable (or reusable/compostable), using plastics that allow for increased consumer recycling rates. Achieve 40% average recycled content in plastic bottles and 100% by 2030. Reduce total packaging weight by 15% by 2020. New Plastics Economy Global Commitment signatory.
nestle Make 100% of its packaging recyclable or re-usable by 2025. Focus on developing packaging of the future and eliminate non-recyclable or hard to recycle plastics. Projects to help shape a waste-free future, founded on neutrality. New Plastics Economy Global Commitment signatory. https://www.nestle.com/csv/global-initiatives/zero-environmental-impact/packaging-plastic-pollution