ZAMBIA – Zambian Breweries, through its recycling initiative- Manja Pamodzi Foundation Limited has renewed its partnership with Java Foods Limited, producer of the country’s leading quick meal brands known as eeZee, to collect recyclable waste from its factory.
By joining the initiative, Java Foods is contributing to the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework designed to increase manufacturers’ roles in building a green economy.
The community-based initiative Manja Pamodzi supports a network of entrepreneurs who collect and sell post-consumer packaging waste in Lusaka as part of Zambian Breweries’ strategy to help improve the country’s solid waste management system.
Launched in 2016 with support from Lusaka City Council and Zambia Environmental Management Agency, the project has so far recruited more than 800 collectors while collecting over 12, 000 tons of recyclable waste from communities in Lusaka.
Zambia Association of Manufacturers representative Kasonde Chituta commended both Zambian Breweries PLC and Java Foods for the partnership stating that, “It is great to see manufacturers coming up and partnering for a great purpose; which is sustainability in the environment.”
He further wished that more partnerships can emerge out of such platforms and alluded to the concept of industrial symbiosis where waste from one manufacturer can be an input for another manufacturer.
“These are the types of relations we want to see in the Zambian manufacturing sector and such partnerships have the ability to enhance sustainability,” added Mr Chituta.
The community-based initiative Manja Pamodzi supports a network of entrepreneurs who collect and sell post-consumer packaging waste in Lusaka as part of Zambian Breweries’ strategy to help improve the country’s solid waste management system.
Zambian Breweries Corporate Affairs Director Ezekiel Sekele highlighted that by initiating partnerships with environmentally conscious manufacturers such as JAVA Foods Limited, ensure maximum utilisation of industrial waste and the advocacy of improved Solid Waste management (SWM).
“We therefore want to once again commend Java Food’s decision to join hands with Manja Pamodzi in promoting environmental protection through recycling initiatives.
“It is to this effect that we have decided to recognise and award Java Foods Limited this prestigious certificate of partnership, recognising the key contribution towards the circular and green economy,” said Mr Sekele.
The recycling initiative has in the recent past proactively collected recyclable waste directly from the trading premises of Java Foods, reducing the volume of solid waste reaching local landfills.
Under Manja Pamodzi, collectors gather recyclable waste such as plastic bottles and other packaging materials and sell them to aggregators; who then sell the material to recyclers that process it into pellets, cups, chairs, tissue and other useful items.
“As Java foods, we realize the tremendous impact waste segregation and recycling play in the environment where we live and do business. Manja Pamodzi Foundation Limited provides us the opportunity as industry players to comply with extended producer responsibility.
“We implore our fellow stakeholders in manufacturing, distribution, import, trade, as well as retail to get involved as much as possible as we have a key role to play in advocating and implementation of sustainable packaging, recycling and promotion of good waste management practices,” said Java Foods Limited Director Ms Vaezi Chima.
Manja Pamodzi is not only a one stop solution to EPR Regulations compliance but is also aligned with the Green Economy and Environmental Protection agenda in which the production of goods and services is done with negligible levels of pollution to the land, air and water.
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