Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka Ltd. (CCBSL) recently entered into a partnership with Lions Club International (Multiple District 306) to conduct an Environment Programme implemented together with the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) to enhance awareness amongst school students, the private sector and the general public island-wide on environment conservation. This initiative is strongly supported by some of the most important environment-related government bodies, including the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management (CCD) together with professional bodies such as the Institute of Environmental Professionals Sri Lanka (IEPSL) which reflects the far-reaching impact it will have. The Lions Environmental Programme partnership endorsement event was held recently at the CEA auditorium.
Mr. S. Amarasinghe, Chairman, Central Environmental Authority (CEA) said, “The Environment Programme is receiving tremendous support from environment and related government bodies and private institutions such as Lions Club International (Multiple District 306). We are also glad to welcome Coca-Cola Sri Lanka onboard as they have been a critical entity driving PET plastic recovery in Sri Lanka.”
Lion Mahendra Amarasuriya, Past International President of Lions International added, “This joint environmental initiative endorsed by the CEA is a very important one for Lions International and we are pleased to have Coca-Cola on board as the private sector partner to support in instilling PET plastic recycling habits amongst our future generation”.
Mr. Lakshan Madurasinghe, Director, Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability of CCBSL, noted “Coca-Cola is proud to be the official private sector partner for this multi-stakeholder initiative involving the Lions Club International, the world’s largest service club organization, together with the CEA and other important environmental authorities. This program gives us an ideal opportunity to spread the message on the benefits of post-consumed PET plastic; that it is not waste but ‘value’, as it is recyclable, can be re-purposed and given another life by being made into value added products for both domestic and export purposes, right here in Sri Lanka.”.
Coca-Cola will further donate PET plastic collection bins in selected schools, to contribute to their ongoing ‘Give Back Life’ programme in which Eco-Spindles Pvt. Ltd. (subsidiary of BPPL Holdings PLC) will transform the collected post-consumed PET plastics into value added products such polyester yarn for apparel and monofilaments for brush manufactures worldwide, thereby expanding livelihood opportunities for local communities, increasing export earnings and contribute to creating a circular economy.