Plasticcycle added 18 collection bins on the Southern
Expressway on 30 th June 2020 adding to the existing network
of bins. These bins were sponsored by Cinnamon Wild Yala
(Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts), in partnership with the
Road Development Authority and Eco Spindles, allowing
commuters to drop off plastic waste/PET for responsible
recycling.
These new bins are located towards the
Southern end of the expressway at the Mattala, Hambantota
and Sooriyawewa exits leading to the Mattala International
Airport and the Hambantota Port. As with many public places,
Plasticcycle bins are also available at the close-by
Ridiyagama Safari Park which serves as a popular tourist
destination for both locals and foreigners heading south for
the holidays. To date the Plasticcycle network on the
expressway extends from the Outer-Circular Highway linked
through Kadawatha all the way through to Matara with 64 bins
in 18 exists, interchanges and service areas.
Plasticcycle
continuously promotes the 4R’s – Refuse, Reduce, Reuse and
Recycle –towards achieving its vision of becoming the
catalyst in significantly reducing plastic pollution in Sri
Lanka, focusing on three key pillars: Encouraging the
reduction and rationalization of use, Supporting responsible
disposal; and Promoting recycling initiatives.
The
project, has collected over 4 Metric Tons of recyclable
plastic waste, which is equivalent to over 120,000 PET
bottles to date in the expressways alone and as at end June
2020 has collected over 60 MT for responsible disposal.
Plasticcycle estimates that this expansion would result in
greater convenience to the commuters by providing an avenue
for responsible disposal.
Plasticcycle is a Social
Entrepreneurship Project of John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH),
Sri Lanka’s largest listed conglomerate in the Colombo
Stock Exchange operating over 70 companies in 7 diverse
industry sectors. JKH provides direct employment to over
13,000 persons and has been ranked as Sri Lanka’s
‘Most Respected Entity’ for the last 14 Years by
LMD Magazine. Whilst being a full member of the World
Economic Forum and a Member of the UN Global Compact, JKH
drives its vision of ‘empowering the nation for tomorrow’
through the John Keells Foundation.
