In a recent opinion piece, Melkamu Abebe, General Manager of Coca-Cola Beverages Uganda (CCBU), highlighted the pressing issue of increasing imports and the use of packaging and plastics in Uganda. According to a report by the National Research Repository of Uganda (NRU), these figures have surged six-fold over the past three years, signaling the growth and diversification of the consumer economy in the country.
While the rise in packaging and plastic usage reflects positive economic indicators and the generation of business and employment opportunities for Ugandans, it also poses significant challenges in terms of sustainable waste management and recycling practices. Abebe emphasized the urgent need to address these concerns.
Plastic has become an integral part of modern life, providing a hygienic, affordable, lightweight, and convenient packaging material for food and beverage products. However, the widespread pollution caused by plastic waste has emerged as a serious threat to freshwater systems and marine life, posing a risk to their long-term sustainability.
Despite the increasing demand for recycled plastic, driven in part by brand owners’ commitment to incorporating recycled content in their products, Uganda still struggles with a low overall recycling rate. A report by the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) underscored the need for a more robust recycling infrastructure and practices within the country.
As a subsidiary of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA), CCBU has aligned itself with The Coca-Cola Company’s sustainable packaging initiative, World Without Waste, launched in 2018. Abebe emphasized CCBU’s dedication to investing in the environment and packaging solutions that address the plastic waste challenge.
CCBU has set ambitious goals for the future, aiming to collect one bottle for every bottle sold by 2030, make all packaging 100% recyclable by 2025, and ensure that 25% of its packaging is reusable by 2030. Abebe highlighted the significance of industry-led Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) as a sustainable funding approach, holding brand owners accountable for the packaging they introduce to the market and supporting the development of efficient collection and recycling systems.
To tackle the issue at the grassroots level, CCBU has been actively engaging consumers and local communities in ongoing initiatives aimed at collecting and recycling plastic waste. The company is investing in educational campaigns to raise awareness about proper recycling practices and the importance of responsible waste disposal.
Furthermore, CCBU is committed to reimagining its packaging to align with the principles of a circular economy. This involves a focus on packaging design that prioritizes sustainability and expanded utilization of clear and returnable plastic bottles.
Abebe proudly shared CCBU’s achievements in waste collection, with the company achieving an 85% collection rate last year, surpassing the industry average of 41%. These accomplishments demonstrate CCBU’s commitment to making a tangible difference in plastic waste management.
CCBU operates Plastic Recycling Industries (PRI) in Nakawa, a plastic recycling plant that collaborates with various stakeholders to promote recycling and minimize plastic waste leakage into the environment. The company has partnered with Stanbic Bank Uganda to establish designated collection spaces throughout the country, ensuring the secure maintenance of these centers and encouraging the public to adopt sustainable waste disposal practices.
Additionally, CCBU has formed partnerships with three community-based plastic collection, management, and recycling companies: Yo-Waste, Ecoplastile, and Asante Waste Management. These collaborations aim to establish more collection centers in local communities and provide a steady supply of plastic waste to CCBU’s recycling plant.
Through these initiatives, Ecoplastile plans to expand its recycling capacity from 30 metric tonnes to approximately 150 metric tonnes per month. This expansion will enable the company to engage with at least 1,050 informal plastic waste collectors, empowering youth and women in various communities. Ecoplastile utilizes recycled plastic to manufacture roofing tiles, promoting sustainable and innovative reuse.
Yo-Waste Limited, a tech company founded by five Makerere University computer science undergraduates in 2019, plays a crucial role in connecting businesses and retail customers with reliable garbage collection and recycling services. Their inclusion in the partnership further strengthens the collective efforts to address plastic waste management.
Furthermore, leading logistics company DHL International (Uganda) has joined forces with CCBU’s plastic recycling plant, PRI, to supply it with plastic waste, reinforcing the value chain and ensuring a steady stream of materials for recycling.
Abebe highlighted that supporting the establishment of a circular economy for plastic waste brings numerous environmental and economic benefits. Recycling has the potential to generate over 50 times more employment opportunities than traditional landfill and incineration methods. Already, thousands of individuals involved in various stages of plastic recycling are experiencing a positive impact, particularly women and youth.
In conclusion, as General Manager of Coca-Cola Beverages Uganda, Abebe underscored CCBU’s commitment to sustainable practices and its role in driving positive change. He emphasized the need for collaborative efforts among governments, corporations, civil society organizations, and individuals to address the plastic waste challenge in Africa and safeguard precious water resources and the communities dependent on them.