Nestlé Ghana, a member of the Ghana Recycling Initiative by Private Enterprises (GRIPE), has signed a partnership agreement with the Pure Water Waste Collectors Association to drive the collection of plastic waste within communities in Accra.
As part of the partnership, Nestlé Ghana is enabling the Association with tools including 5 tricycles, picking tool, and gloves to collect an estimated 600 metric tons of plastics annually.
Speaking on behalf of Managing Director of Nestlé Ghana, Philomena Tan, at the ceremony held at the Ministry of Environment Science Technology and Innovation, Mr. Ousmane Kamara, Country Controller of Nestlé Ghana highlighted the importance of strategic partnership to facilitate initiatives to improve plastic waste management in the country. “Plastic pollution can only be dealt with the right partnerships. As a leader in the food and beverages industry, Nestlé will continue to work with government and other relevant stakeholders to turn plastic waste into economically valuable assets while keeping a healthier environment for Ghanaians” he said. He reiterated Nestlé’s global ambition to have all of its packaging 100% recyclable or reusable by 2025 along-side its 2030 ambition to have zero environmental impact in its operations.
While working with external partners, Nestlé Ghana has also eliminated all single use plastics in its offices, provided bins for segregation, and making employees ambassadors of proper waste management in its offices and in their homes.
Elvis Oppong, President of the Pure Water Waste Collectors Association shared the groups gratitude and their commitment to collect and recycle more plastic waste to help keep the environment clean.
Professor Frimpong Boateng, Minister for Environment Science Technology and Innovation congratulated Nestlé and the Pure Water Waste Collectors Association for entering such a partnership that will go a long way to benefit the Ghanaian Society. He urged other companies to emulate Nestlé and GRIPE to create a sustainable Ghanaian Environment.
The partnership is supported by the Ministry of Environment Science Technology and Innovation.