Coca-Cola Beverages Zambia Graduates 300 Waste Aggregators in Recycling and Waste Management Training
Coca-Cola Beverages Zambia, in partnership with the Lusaka City Council (LCC) and the Lusaka Integrated Solid Waste Management Company, has marked a notable milestone in sustainable waste management.
This comes as the company celebrated the graduation of 300 waste aggregators who received specialized training in recycling and waste management.
In an official statement issued by Nyambe Bulumba, the Assistant Public Relations Manager, the graduation ceremony was held at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre, showcasing a commitment to fostering responsible environmental practices.
The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development Permanent Secretary for Administration, Maambo Haamaundu, presided over the event and commended the trainees for their commitment to acquiring knowledge in waste management.
Mr. Haamaundu emphasized the importance of sharing this newfound knowledge within their communities to combat indiscriminate waste disposal.
Encouraging citizens to view waste as a potential source of income, Haamaundu highlighted the economic benefits of recycling and urged individuals to leverage the waste in their localities to generate income.
He expressed optimism that such initiatives would not only contribute to environmental conservation but also alleviate the burden on government resources.
Coca-Cola Beverages Zambia Marketing Director, Panji Banda, revealed the company’s commitment to responsible waste management by collecting 165% of the waste generated from its products.
Mr. Banda congratulated the graduates and announced that they would be given the opportunity to supply the company with recycling materials, providing them with a means to achieve financial stability.
The initiative received further endorsement from Lusaka City Council Assistant Director of Public Health, Tito Hampako, who stated that the program aligned with the council’s vision for a green, healthy, and clean city.
Mr. Hampako pledged continued collaboration with Coca-Cola Beverages Zambia and other stakeholders to implement similar waste management initiatives across the city, aiming to prevent the spread of diseases.
Imuwana Mwanamwalye, Chief Executive Officer of the Lusaka Integrated Solid Waste Management Company, emphasized the positive impact the program would have on both the environment and the livelihoods of the participants.
He expressed the company’s commitment to working with the trained individuals to support their income generation through extended producer responsibility.
The training targeted participants from peri-urban areas of Lusaka, including George, Lusaka West, Kanyama, Garden, Chainda, and Matero. The graduation marks a significant step towards fostering a culture of responsible waste management and sustainable living within the community.
