• Environment

State-of-the-art recycling plant opened

• 2 Weeks Ago - 2024-04-29 09:55:00

To bring an end to the plastic waste crisis, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) in Namibia and Plastic Packaging have opened a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) flaking plant in Okahandja.
The N$24 million investment is expected to double the capacity of the country's only mechanical plastic waste recycler, enabling Namibia Polymer Recyclers (NPR) to process up to 500 tonnes of PET material per month.
CCBA chief public affairs, communication and sustainability officer Tshidi Ramogase said the recycling plant transforms discarded beverage bottles made from PET material into PET flakes with an international market value. “The flaking process of post-consumer PET bottles involves sorting, shredding it into PET flakes, hot-washing and drying flakes, which are then sent for further processing into recycled PET pellets and other end-uses,” Ramogase explained.
The PET plant was inaugurated by environment minister Pohamba Shifeta, who said: “Namibia’s first PET plant will significantly reduce the need for virgin PET. It will divert substantial waste from landfills and our precious environment.”
Plastic Packaging managing director Nico du Plessis said the PET plant is a solution for baled PET waste that does not require a South African ITAC permit. The new investment aims to double Plastic Packaging Group’s recycling rates from 2 300 to 4 600 tonnes annually, Du Plessis said.
“We are determined to close the loop by reclaiming discarded plastics and transforming them into second-life products. In addition to recycling, the facility also reuses its water continuously,” he said.
Plastic Packaging board chairperson Frank Fredericks said investing in the plant will reduce the negative effects of environmental litter and create jobs. He added that it will develop the economy and create a market to export products abroad.
In addition, the infrastructure created eases the process for waste pickers to earn money from baled PET waste.