Cargills, Coca-Cola Beverages join hands to boost plastic recycling

Cargills (Ceylon) PLC and Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka Ltd. (CCBSL) have partnered together for a project to collect plastic waste for recycling. 

Cargills, with their wide reach and presence across all districts in the country, are advancing their drive towards a circular economy and responsible disposal of plastic waste. 

For CCBSL, the project forms part of their Give Back Life (GBL) plastic collection and recycling program that was launched in 2018.

Under this project, plastic collection points will be established at 44 Cargills Food City supermarkets across the districts of Jaffna, Kegalle, Anuradhapura, Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Galle, and Trincomalee. 

These outlets will form part of the 120 plastic collection points established at various Cargills Food City supermarkets across the country, and a part of the 500 plus plastic collection bin network under CCBSL’s GBL program.

Customers will be encouraged to collect all types of hard plastic waste such as PET (soft drink bottles, dishwash liquid bottles, etc.), HDPE (shampoo bottles, ice cream tubs, etc.), and PP (margarine tubs, yoghurt cups, etc.) in their homes and dispose of them responsibly at their nearest Cargills Food City supermarket’s plastic collection point. 

The project will also focus on educating the public on the types of plastics that are recyclable and the recycling process. 

The plastic will be collected by recycling partner Eco-Spindles Ltd and converted into value-added products such as monofilaments for cleaning brushes, brooms, or recycled polyester yarn for clothing, which is exported to over 15 countries across the world. 

The project will contribute towards the circular economy, export earnings, and expanding livelihood opportunities for local communities engaged in waste collection.

Cargills Food Company Managing Director Asoka Pieris said: “The plastic collection and recycling initiative with Coca-Cola will further enhance Cargills’ ongoing efforts towards reducing the damaging effects of plastic waste. 

“We are committed to promoting circular business models across our supply chains and our own sustainability targets include the reduction of single-use plastic, achieving 100% recyclable, reusable, or industrially compostable packaging, and the collection of plastic waste for recycling. 

“We are hopeful that our combined efforts with Coca-Cola would help spread awareness and create a consumer habit of responsible disposal of plastic waste. Cargills has always upheld an unwavering commitment to sustainable and responsible business. 

“Our aim is to drive positive impact by taking ownership and responsible action today, to ensure a safe and secure world for the generations to come.”

Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka Managing Director Mayank Arora said: “This project contributes to our Give Back Life program which is working towards Coca-Cola’s global World Without Waste Goal where the company aims to collect and recycle a bottle for each one it sells by 2030. 

“We are very happy to partner with Cargills and Eco-Spindles to expand our plastic collection network to further improve our collection and recycling initiatives in Sri Lanka. Our Give Back Life program through its 125+ partnerships is also contributing immensely towards the National Action Plan on Plastic Waste Management 2021-2030”. 

Eco-Spindles CEO Manoj Udawatte said: "The world is facing one of its greatest environmental challenges due to plastic waste. At Eco-Spindles, we have continued to support forward-thinking local initiatives that aim to accelerate sustainability actions and are working towards ambitious targets for reducing plastic waste and enhancing recycling. Therefore, we are excited to be a part of this partnership with Coca-Cola and Cargills."