Evolve, a community recycling programme established by Voltic (GH) Limited (Voltic) and Environment360, has since its inception in October 2015 collected 28 tonnes of plastic and 31 tonnes of paper from households and commercial centres.
Sharing this information at the 2017 World Environment Day commemoration and Phase 3 launch of the programme held at the Australian High Commissioner’s Residence in Accra, Cordie Aziz, the Executive Director of Environment360 and a pioneering partner of Evolve mentioned that Evolve supports recycling programs in 20 schools in Accra and has helped the programme reach nearly 10,000 children by creating a self sustaining recycling program that raises funds for environmental education in coastal and urban regions. On average the program collects 2.5 tonnes of plastic waste per month through the programme’s 60 public containers placed around the city.
Evolve Recycling Programme, which started with a vision of measuring the feasibility of a community plastic waste collection, as well as testing the viability of a larger scale polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling programme has over the years not only helped communities and corporations adapt sustainable living and business practices, but is also creating the next generation of green leaders by providing environmental education to children in coastal and urban regions, contributing to the United Nations Goals 12 and 13.
The programme, which currently employs four (4) people, works by collecting plastics and paper waste in special containers placed at vantage points around the city. The collected plastic and papers are sold to a third-party organisation to be recycled. The funds generated from the sale goes into the education of children in environmental management.
Speaking at the event, Raymond Mensah Gbetivi, Commercial Manager at Voltic indicated that the company’s investment in Evolve underpins its mission of refreshing Ghana every day and making the country a better place for all.
He noted “Voltic has invested over GHS130,000 towards the success of Evolve through the provision of the first twenty (20) Evolve Containers, a collection truck, two (2) 40-footer containers for storage of recyclables at a collection site, two (2) tricycles for pickup of waste items to collection sites, social media campaigns and other product support.
Although I stand here proud today with the considerable success chalked by Evolve, there is the need for a holistic industry approach to managing waste and plastics in Ghana. Consumers must become environmentally conscious, while universities empower students to develop sustainable value addition solutions as government works at supporting industry with the funding and policies needed to turn our waste in Ghana into a valuable resource”.
Supporting the government’s aim to rid Accra of filth while contributing positively towards the transformation and uplifting of communities, the Australian High Commission has contributed GHS80,000 through its Direct Aid Project to Environment360.
His Excellency Andrew Barnes, the Australian High Commissioner to Ghana who hosted the event, was impressed by the accomplishments of Evolve and indicated “by supporting projects that have direct benefit and impact on the livelihoods of communities and the environment, we are empowering individuals to make a difference and contribute to environmental protection through everyday activities”
An estimated 13,000 tonnes of waste is generated in Ghana daily; 8% of which is plastic waste and mostly ends up in the country’s landfills, Evolve is helping to reduce this challenge while working towards a holistic sustainable recycling solutions with other industry players.
Currently, Evnironment360 and Voltic are collecting 40,000 used plastic bottles which will serve as building materials for a community resource centre in Krokrobite in the Ga South District. The general public is encouraged to look out for Evolve Containers in various parts of Accra including Cantonments, Dansoman, Airport, Osu, East Legon, North Kaneshie, Ridge, Ring Road, Dzorwulu, Spintex, Adenta, Achimota andTesano and also in Tema.
Evolve, a community recycling programme established by Voltic (GH) Limited (Voltic) and Environment360, has since its inception in October 2015 collected 28 tonnes of plastic and 31 tonnes of paper from households and commercial centres. Sharing this information at the 2017 World Environment Day commemoration and Phase 3 launch of the programme held at the … Read Full Story
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