COCA-COLA CAMBODIA COMES TOGETHER WITH MINISTRY, NGO TO PROMOTE RECYCLING

Phnom Penh, 9 Mar 2022 – Coca-Cola Cambodia has come together with the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and the Asia Foundation to promote the recycling of plastic waste as at the “Capacity Development for Local Plastic Recycler” workshop in Phnom Penh today.

The workshop, which took place at the Himawari Hotel on March 9th, aimed to provide an overview of the recycling landscape and World Without Waste vision of Coca-Cola, showcase the successful case studies of recyclers in the region, bring local recyclers together for sharing as well as filling the gap opportunity of capacity development.

PET bottles are those made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) that can be recycled and used to manufacture new bottles, containers and other products.

His Excellency Dr. Tung Ciny, Secretary of State of The Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation presided over the opening of the workshop. Others presiding over the session included Miss. Sambath Munyvorleak, Country PACS Director, Coca-Cola Cambodia, Ms. Meloney Lindberg, Country Representative, The Asia Foundation Cambodia, Mr. Neth Monyponnaka, Director of Phnom Penh Department of Industry, Science, Technology, and Innovation. Other attendees included representatives from the Asia Foundation and 15 recycling representatives from Cambodia.

His Excellency Dr. Tung Ciny, Secretary of State of The Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation said: “We are extremely grateful for Coca-Cola Cambodia and the Asia Foundation for taking the lead in promoting the recycling of plastic waste. The issue of the environment is extremely important for the government of the Kingdom of Cambodia and as responsible businesses, organizations and citizens, we all have our role to play in protecting the environment.”

In her welcome remarks, Ms. Meloney Lindberg, Country Representative, The Asia Foundation Cambodia said: “In speaking directly with plastic recyclers, The Asia Foundation has gained a better understand of the issues, gaps and challenges faced by Phnom Penh based plastic recycling businesses.  The Foundation is pleased to be in partnership with the Phnom Penh Department of Industry, Science, Technology, and Innovation, and Coca-Cola Cambodia to jointly develop a project to improve PET plastic recycling.”

Addressing the workshop, Miss. Sambath Munyvorleak, Country PACS Director, Coca-Cola Cambodia said: “Coca-Cola continues to actively promote the collection and recycling of plastic materials on our labels, such as our recyclable plastic bottles and shrink wraps which are being used in some of our beverages. Coca-Cola Cambodia recently donated segregation bins to Phnom Penh to promote the facilitation of the separation of waste. Now Coca-Cola Cambodia initiate the today workshop, aiming at sharing experience as well as filling the gap opportunity of capacity development”.

Besides the workshop, Coca-Cola Cambodia has continuously introduced initiatives to increase the collection and recycling of plastic packaging in Cambodia. In early 2020, Coca-Cola Cambodia launched the Dasani 350ml rPET bottle, one of the Cambodia’s first beverage bottles made from 100% recycled plastic material (rPET). Partnering with customers and collection partner, the company has collected 1,450 tonnes of plastic bottles in 2020-2021. Meanwhile, the company also to help raise the communities’ awareness on proper waste sorting and recycling by partnering with local government units to deploy over 900 segregation bins to more than 120 different schools, wet markets and public areas all over the country.

The company has also launched an initiative to “Give Plastic Wrap a Second Life” which encourages distributors, wholesalers and retailers to return the plastic wraps to the company for recycling, rather than disposing it unsorted.

To learn more about the World Without Waste initiatives of Coca-Cola Cambodia, visit the Coca-Cola website or follow facebook.com/CambodiaBeverageCompanyLtd. ■

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