4 multinationals seal Africa Plastics Recycling Alliance at Africa CEO Forum
Leading global fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) and multinationals in Africa Diageo, Unilever, The Coca Cola Company, and Nestlé have launched the Africa Plastics Recycling Alliance (APRA) at the just concluded Africa CEO Forum in Kigali.
Details gathered on the seal revealed that the new Alliance aims to turn the current challenge of plastic waste in Sub Saharan Africa into an opportunity to create jobs and commercial activity by improving the collection and recycling of plastics.
Otherwise, APRA has been established for companies to among other things; Facilitate and support their local subsidiaries to engage proactively in market level public private partnerships, industry collaboration and alliances; Share knowledge, encourage innovation and collaborate on technical and other solutions appropriate for Sub-Saharan Africa as well as participate in local pilot initiatives; and Engage with the investment community, policy makers and others to accelerate the development and financing of the necessary waste management infrastructure and systems.
A statement issued and signed by the quartet recalled that “Plastics will remain an important packaging material if we are to give African consumers the safe and affordable products they need. Unfortunately, a lack of collection and recycling capacity in many African markets coupled with growing populations is creating a growing problem of plastics waste.
APRA further added that We see an opportunity to tackle that problem in a way that creates jobs and reduces dependency on imported materials while alternatives to plastics are developed. Collaboration within and across markets will be key to success so we are proud to launch the Africa Plastics Recycling Alliance today to increase those efforts and play our part as companies in finding solutions that work for Africa.” – The Africa Plastics Recycling Alliance
APRA signatories included Mr. John O’Keefe, Diageo President for Africa, Bruno Witvoet, Unilever President for Africa, Peter Njonjo, President, West Africa for The Coca-Cola Company, Chris Johnson CEO Zone Asia, Oceania & Sub-Saharan Africa for Nestlé, and Mr. Olivier Thiry, Group CEO, Promisador
