A LOCAL beverage industry initiative, Petrocozim, has started consultations on an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for a multi-million dollar polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling plant in Harare.
Business Reporter
The entity was created to provide a solution to the environmental challenges affecting the country primarily focused on post-consumer polyethylene Terephthalate (PCPET) by providing a national springboard for the sustainable collection and recycling of PET.
The founding members of the company include Delta Beverages, Coca-Cola Central Africa, Schweppes Zimbabwe, Megapak, Pet Packaging, Lyons Zimbabwe, Dairibord Zimbabwe, Tanganda Tea Company, Nestle Zimbabwe and Mutare Bottling Company.
In its EIA statement, Petrocozim said the project should result in reduction of the volume of the post-consumer PET in waste streams.
“In line with its mandate, Petrocozim proposes to construct a PET recycling plant within the confines of Lot 41 Dover Road, Ardbennie, Harare.
“The recycling plant components will include the bottle receiving bay and bottle washing and crushing equipment that converts waste PET bottles into flake, which will be sold to targeted end use markets,” reads part of the statement.
According to Petroczim, the proposed project would generate solid waste and effluent that would be handled by the existing municipality waste management facilities.
“The anticipated positive impacts of the project include the reduction of the volume of the post-consumer PET in the waste streams and resultantly the associated environmental impacts of post-consumer PET in Zimbabwe, and creation of income-generating opportunities for participating communities and business,” the company said.
http://www.newsday.co.zw/2013/02/15/beverage-industry-firms-partner-to-recycle-plastic/
