John Keells enhances ‘Plasticcycle’ initiative with multiple collaborations
Plasticcycle, the Social Entrepreneurship initiative of the John Keells Group, was launched in July 2017 with the vision of being the catalyst in significantly reducing plastic pollution in Sri Lanka.
In furthering this vision, which includes promoting the responsible disposal and recycling of plastic waste, Plasticcycle, with the support of Walkers Tours Ltd, have launched a project in collaboration with Beira Enviro Solutions (Pvt.) Ltd - a subsidiary of Beira Group established in 2010, and the Road Development Authority, to collect and recycle PET bottles carried by commuters on the Southern Expressway.
The launch of this partnership took place on March 22nd 2018, at the service area in Welipanna, on the Southern expressway. John Keells Group Social Entrepreneurship Project and Tax Head and Vice President Nisreen Rehmanjee explained that: “Plasticcycle bins will be placed at the expressway exits to promote responsible disposal of PET bottles and it is estimated that around 40 bins will be required to cover the key exits. Initially a pilot will be run with 19 bins to gauge the requirement and assess its efficiency. This will include three bins placed at each service area to cater for commuters who stop along the way. The Road Development Authority has committed to collecting the plastics from these bins and transporting it to identified collection points. The recycling partner on this initiative - Beira Enviro Solutions (Pvt.) Ltd would then collect the plastics from these locations for recycling into value added products that are sold both in the local and international markets.”
Nisreen also expressed her thanks to Beira Enviro Solutions (Pvt.) Ltd and the Road Development Authority for inviting Plasticcycle to join with them in launching the Southern Expressway Plastic Recycling Project.
In attendance at the launch were Beira Enviro Solutions Ltd Senior Factory Manager Manoj Udawatte, Beira Enviro Solutions Ltd Brand Manager Dilukshan Jayasekera, Beira Enviro Solutions Ltd Sourcing Executive Sumudu Priyankara, Road Development Authority Deputy Director Anura Mannapperuma, Road Development Authority Deputy Director Darmarathne Kahatapitiya, John Keells Group Walkers Tours Ltd Vice President Prabath Harshakumar, John Keells Group Tax and Social Entrepreneurship Project Head and Vice President Nisreen Rehmanjee and John Keells Group Social Entrepreneurship Project Manager Buddhika Muthukumarana.