CAMEROON – Nestlé Cameroon has doubled its plastic waste collection and recycling target to 200 tons by the end of 2021.
This follows the leading food manufacturer, collecting and recycling 100 tons of plastic waste in 2020 and so far, it has managed to recycle more than 50 tons of waste as at the end of the first quarter of 2021.
The Q1 milestone was reached thanks to its partnership with Namé Recycling.
“Nestlé Cameroon is fully aware of its responsibility to preserve the environment and must set an example. We have doubled our target this year to accelerate our contribution to protect our planet and make a difference,” Robert HELOU, General Administrator of Nestlé Cameroon, said.
As part of its commitment to contribute to the fight against plastic pollution in order to preserve the environment, Nestlé seeks to make its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025, with a focus on the fight against plastic waste pollution.
This builds on its commitment made on December 3, 2020 to achieve Net Zero Emissions by 2050.
So far, the company has introduced recyclable paper packaging for its Smarties brand in South Africa and replaced plastic straws used for its Ready-To-Drink (RTD) MILO packs, switching to paper straws in Nigeria.
Beyond its 2025 packaging commitments, Nestlé has a longer-term ambition to end the release of plastic into the environment across its operations. This will help prevent any further accumulation of plastic in nature and achieve plastic neutrality.
Nestle supports Algeria’s reforestation ambitions
Meanwhile in Algeria, the milo brand owner has planted over 600 trees in Bouchaoui forests in Algiers and Sharia in Blida.
This initiative falls within the framework of the country’s reforestation campaign, which became especially important after the massive fires during the month of November 2020 that destroyed about 42,000 hectares of forests.
“We are fully committed to supporting reforestation efforts in Algeria; We continually seek to collaborate with governments and other entities to help create shared value for all,” Commented Patrick Khuriati, General Manager of Nestle Algeria.
The National Plan for Reforestation in Algeria is an essential component of the National Plan for Agricultural and Rural Development of Algeria (PNDAR), which was launched in 2000.
It aims at developing lands and combating desertification in addition to protecting and enhancing natural resources in the context of sustainable rural development.
Since 2010, Nestlé has achieved a 60% reduction in CO2 emissions at its two factories in Algeria, and a 25% reduction in CO2 emissions across its logistics and supply chain activities in the MENA region. It also achieved zero waste disposal in food factories and its distribution centres.
As a signatory to the UN Charter for “corporate ambition to achieve the 1.5 ° C target, Nestlé is among the first companies in the world to present its detailed and time-bound plan, as it has doubled its efforts to combat climate change.
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