Coca-Cola Nepal takes another step towards World Without Waste; Announces expansion of PET bottle recovery project

In line with its strategic focus on recycling and waste management, Coca-Cola has announced expansion of its PET bottle recovery project in Nepal. As part of this initiative, The Coca-Cola Foundation & Bottlers Nepal (Terai) Limited will set up a new PET collection centernear the manufacturing plant in Bharatpur, Chitwan.

Coca-Cola plans to invest approximately USD 270,000 in the project to provide momentum to its existing PET waste recovery efforts in Nepal. In partnership with Creasion, the project aims to collaborate with the local municipality, business establishments, citizens & waste pickers to emulate a multi stakeholder approach towards finding a solution to recycle PET waste in Nepal.

Speaking on the initiative, John Murphy, President Asia Pacific Region at The Coca-Cola Company stated, “It gives us immense pleasure to extend our commitment to the World Without Wasteinitiative in Nepal. This project is another step towards the Company’s larger strategy to grow with conscience and become a total beverage company that grows the right way. We will continue to work with our partners to strengthen our recycling and waste management efforts.”

The Coca-Cola Company’s recycling initiatives are part of the Company’s commitment towards helping create a“World Without Waste” (WWW). WWW is the Company’s global goal to help collect and recycle the equivalent of 100% of its packaging by the year 2030.

As part of its commitment towards environmental protection and societal well-being, Coca-Cola is committed to achieving significant volumes of PET recycling in Nepal by focusing on PET recovery and recycling. The beverage company commenced its recycling approach in 2014 with the establishment of a Multi-Partnership Project named ‘Nagar Mitra’, a social enterprise, leading to the creation of a substantial number of green jobs for disadvantaged women, and contributing to a cleaner environment through an efficient and responsible mechanism for collection and disposal of used PET bottles. Additionally, in collaboration with its Sustainability partners including WWF Nepal, Himalayan Climate Initiative and GIZ, the Company is actively involved in activities including raising awareness on recycling and exploring opportunities for a closed loop recycling solution in Nepal.

Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Ghana ShyamGurung, Country Representative of WWF Nepal stated, “For WWF, Partnerships are critical in addressing natural resource challenges that impact the world. We are pleased to see the long-standing relation between WWF and The Coca-Cola Company, who have jointly been working on promoting sustainable use of water, enhancing livelihoods of local communities and conserving freshwater ecosystem in Nepal and around the globe. Our collaboration with Coca-Cola Nepal on finding solutions for recyclable plastics will leverage on the experience combined with WWF Nepal’s partnership with the Government of Nepal, local communities and other stakeholders.”