Nairobi – A drive to equip waste entrepreneurs with business and financial management skills kicked off in Nairobi on September 22, when a group of 38 waste collectors completed a training programme supported by Coca-Cola Beverages Kenya.
The training sessions included modules on entrepreneurship, personal financial management, waste management and community engagement, presented in partnership with T3-Kenya.
The objective was to equip waste collectors, managers and aggregators with entrepreneurship, waste management and financial management skills, which will help them to develop strategies to grow their waste collection and recycling businesses.
Coca-Cola Beverages Kenya’s aim is to continue building capabilities and create sustainable businesses within the packaging waste collection and recycling sector.
“At Coca-Cola Beverages Kenya, we are leading the industry in making our value chain increasingly sustainable in the way that we manufacture our products, how we distribute them and how we sell them,” said Public Affairs, Communication and Sustainability Director, John Mwendwa.
“We have the scale and reach to make a real difference, and we’re using our leadership position to drive change and help put our planet on a more sustainable path.
“We want our business and the communities we serve to benefit from greater shared opportunity. This is about more than the bottom line, because opportunity is not measured by money alone. Opportunity means a better future for people across the African continent,” Mwendwa said.
“Profitability is important, but so is doing business the right way by growing with conscience. People and the planet we call home are at the heart of our values.”
CCBA has committed to collecting for recycling the equivalent of 100% of the packaging it produces by 2030, potentially giving each package more than one life.
“We can’t do it alone. We work with stakeholders, nonprofits, communities, governments and our industry toward a clean environment,” said Mwendwa.
“We are working in our communities to educate people on why and how to recycle through consumer campaigns, on-package messaging and more to create a healthier environment for all.
“Tackling the global plastic waste crisis requires cross-sector collaboration and alignment on common principles and targets,” said Mwendwa.
“We work with a range of stakeholders at a national and local level. This includes partnering with government and community organisations to strengthen recycling infrastructure and boost collection rates, collaborating with customers, peers and industry associations to shape public policy that supports a circular economy; and teaming up with suppliers, startups and R&D partners to fuel sustainable packaging innovation
“By following our values and working for a better shared future, we create inclusive growth that benefits communities, women and youth, our customers, our employees and our shareholders.”
*Update* On December 2, 2024, The Coca-Cola Company announced updated voluntary environmental goals. Read more here: The Coca-Cola Company Evolves Voluntary Environmental Goals
