310 volunteers mobilized for cleaning the beach in Accra

Regional News from Monday, June 17, 2019

Source: Nestlé Ghana

2019-06-17

In an effort to rid the ocean of plastic waste, Nestlé employees and partners volunteered to clean Afia Beach, in the municipality of Korle Klottey, in the Greater Accra region. The exercise is in line with the global volunteering initiative for Nestlé Cares employees and its broader vision of securing a lean future.

Addressing the problem of plastic waste requires a change of behavior of all and Nestle believes that there is no better place to start than from the inside. That's why 310 Nestlé employees volunteered to clean and collect 13.5 tonnes of waste, including 3.2 tonnes of plastic along the shoreline, which will then be recycled or recovered. The volunteers came from the company's four locations in Ghana, namely its regional headquarters for Central and West Africa, Nestlé Business Services (an African Shared Services Center), its headquarters and its factory. from Tema.

Inspired by the words of Nestlé Global CEO Mark Schneider, "Collective action is vital, so we also invite consumers, business partners and Nestlé colleagues to play their part" Nestlé company in partnership with Nestlé Global the Municipal Assembly of Korle-Klottey, the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the District Health Directorate to commemorate the World Oceans Day. The company has also collaborated with Zoomlion, the largest waste management company in Ghana, which has provided badistance in providing tools and equipment, as well as recycling or recovery of collected waste.

Remy Ejel, head of Nestlé's West and West Africa market, said: "Through this initiative we are promoting good practices in the sustainable disposal of plastic waste. It is also a way of achieving our goal of "improving the quality of life and contributing to a healthier future". He added, "We can only achieve the goals of sustainable development by demonstrating our commitment and working together to manage resources for future generations."

Philomena Tan, CEO of Nestlé Ghana, says, "Protecting the environment requires more than a commitment. Therefore, at Nestlé, we make sure that we deliver on our commitments. We want to make sure that we create value in society by bringing together the challenges of society and the needs of business. " "We will continue to play our part to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment where we operate," she added.

In Ghana, more than 3,000 tonnes of plastic waste is generated each day, less than 2% of which is recycled. According to the US Embbady in Ghana, more than 250,000 tonnes, or 23% of all plastic waste generated in Ghana, is expected to be dumped into the Atlantic Ocean.

In a message of solidarity addressed on his behalf, Acting Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, John Alexis Pwamang, said the government recognized that plastics were a source of wealth and worked with stakeholders to develop a comprehensive strategy to tackle the plastic threat. " . He added that the government had already started working to ensure that industrial solid and liquid effluents are treated before they are discharged. " He congratulated Nestlé for taking the initiative and encouraged other companies to do the same.

Mr. Kweku Quansah, Deputy Director of the Environmental Health and Sanitation Branch of the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, for his part "Environmental sanitation is a shared responsibility; Government alone can not solve the problem of the environment, any more than businesses. It is therefore important to work with the private sector to take action to protect the environment. Mr Kwansah also called for public awareness of waste management as a means of preserving the environment. "Behavioral changes and law enforcement are essential to maintaining a healthier environment," he added.

Last week, Nestlé employees conducted similar clean-up activities in the region, including Angola, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, and Nigeria, Senegal, to create a waste-free future and protect the planet. In April 2018, the world's largest food and beverage group announced a series of specific actions aimed at meeting its commitment to make 100% of its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025.

In Ghana, Nestlé is a founding member of the Ghana Private Sector Recycling Initiative, a coalition of manufacturing companies advocating plastic waste management.