Gaborone – A group of over 200 women and youth have learned how to earn an income from plastic waste after receiving training on the importance and practice of recycling polyethylene phthalate (PET) bottles, with the support of Coca-Cola Beverages Botswana (CCBB).

Speaking at the opening session of the three-day training programme, Minister of Youth, Gender, Sports and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare, encouraged participants to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the private sector and other empowerment initiatives under his ministry such as the Youth Development Fund.

The training was provided by specialist consultancy Sturkish, and funded by CCBB, a subsidiary of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, with participants receiving a certificate at the end of the training.

“At Coca-Cola Beverages Botswana, we are a proud industry leader in developing increasingly sustainable ways to manufacture, distribute and sell our products,” said Public Affairs, Communication and Sustainability Director, Tickey Pule.

“We use our industry leadership to be part of the solution to achieve positive change in the world and to build a more sustainable future for our planet.

“Our aim is to create greater shared opportunity for the business and the communities we serve across the value-chain. Opportunity is more than just money, it’s about a better future for people and their communities everywhere on the African continent,” Pule said.

“This is why we have made economic inclusion one of the pillars of our sustainability strategy.

“We define economic inclusion as creating gainful economic opportunities to under-served communities – women, youth and people with disabilities – by providing them with access to markets that boost income and yield sustainable earnings, in our own business and the industry.

“The success of these programmes will be defined by the extent to which we boost income, unlock sustainable earning potential, improve skills, and business knowledge for our target groups, resulting in access to economic opportunities,” said Pule.

“Whether donating money, our time or our expertise, we take our responsibility to the communities we call home seriously.”

*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