In a bid to better manage waste in the country, Voltic Ghana Limited and Total Petroleum Ghana Limited have launched a plastic waste collection project.
The aim is to collect and recycle waste in the capital.
The project, dubbed #IRecycle, seeks to fulfill three major CSR initiatives known as the 3Ws – Women Empowerment, Water Stewardship, and Waste Management.
Speaking at the launch, Managing Director of Voltic Ghana, Francois Gazania said: “the project seeks to provide alternative bins at 40 locations mainly total service stations encouraging consumers to segregate their plastics.”
The project also brings on board a waste recycling company, Coliba, which began operations after the June 3 twin flood and fire disaster which claimed over 100 lives.
Coliba will provide waster pickers, mostly women, who will go round the 40 locations to collect the plastic waste at a fee.
“Waste pickers get value for their collected waste; while recyclers buy cleaner waste bottles as raw materials. Through #Irecycle, Voltic is also committed to providing the right protective clothing and the equipment needed to make the waste picker’s job easier,” Francois Gazania.
Country Director for the Coliba Recycling Company, Prince Kwame Adgata said the project is also an incentive programme to encourage people to segregate their waste.
“We give people money. They can get instant cash through mobile money, and they also get food items and health insurance. In order for them to start segregation, they should be motivated to do so. And we felt incentive is the best way to go.”
As Voltic and Coliba play their part in making the capital clean, Total Ghana will provide the space and free fuel for the waste collectors to move around the alternative locations to pick up the waste.
“We are committed to fueling the tricycles which will gather the plastic for recycling”
For consumers to easily locate the 40 locations, an app will be set up to access the locations.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also stated that it is in full support of the initiative.
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By: Ann-Shirley-Ziwu |citinewsroom.com | Ghana | z.ann.shirley@gmail.com