The Coca-Cola Company has donated two waste containers to be used for the collection of all plastic bottles for recycling in its efforts to provide a sustainable solid waste management system in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Charles Kibowen from Coca-Cola Company said in the first phase of the project, the containers would be provided at the Assembly and that in the second phase, the project would be expanded to cover the Municipality before being rolled out in the whole county in the third phase.
He said the company would be collecting all plastic bottles even from other companies in its efforts to ensure they get rid of all plastics which have become an environmental disaster in urban centres.
Speaking during the launch at the County Assembly, Kibowen said that in its second phase, all public institutions including the Iten market would be provided with containers where residents could put the plastic bottles while the company ensures they are collected for recycling.
The Assembly Speaker Philemon Sabulei hailed the company for the move saying it would go a long way in ensuring the county has a clean environment.
He said the company started by providing the containers at the county because 90% of the plastic bottles used at the Assembly were from Coca-Cola products.
The Speaker called for the sensitization of the members of the public on how to dispose off their solid waste saying it has led to the clogging of drainage systems.
He said the Assembly would also partner with the company in the planting of trees especially along the Kerio escarpment to prevent landslides especially when it rains.
Sabulei added that the Assembly had passed various legislations on the protection of the environment which he said if implemented, would assist in protecting the environment.
By Alice Wanjiru
