Hoima, Uganda – Crown Beverages Uganda Limited has announced an ambitious new environmental program that will see the company recycle 40 tons of plastic bottles and polythene waste from Hoima City every month. This initiative aims to address growing concerns about environmental degradation in the rapidly developing city and its surrounding areas.
The beverage company has partnered with Reclaim, a local non-governmental organization, to implement this sustainability project. Under the arrangement, Reclaim will be responsible for purchasing plastic waste directly from Hoima residents before transporting it to Crown Beverages' main recycling plant in Kampala, where the materials will be processed into new bottles.
Rogers Anguzu, Commercial Manager at Crown Beverages Uganda Limited, explained that this program falls under their "Tweyambe" sustainability initiative. "Our goal is twofold - to help create cleaner urban environments while also improving the overall health of our ecosystems," Anguzu stated. He encouraged local communities to dispose of their plastic waste responsibly, emphasizing that residents can now earn income by selling their recyclables to Reclaim's collection agents.
The timing of this initiative couldn't be more critical, according to Hoima City Deputy Mayor Silvia Nalumaga. "Our city faces significant challenges in waste management as our population continues to grow at an unprecedented rate," Nalumaga said. She praised Crown Beverages for stepping forward with a practical solution to the plastic waste problem and revealed that the city leadership has drafted a new ordinance on garbage management currently under council review.
Zirubabel Kwebiiha, Chief Executive Officer of Reclaim, described the transformative potential of this partnership. "This program will not only improve Hoima's urban environment but also create economic opportunities for waste pickers and help establish a culture of environmental responsibility among residents," Kwebiiha explained.
The monthly recycling of 40 tons of plastic waste represents a major step forward in sustainable urban development for Hoima, a city experiencing rapid growth due to the oil industry's expansion in the region. As the program rolls out, collection hubs will be established across the city, accompanied by public awareness campaigns about proper waste segregation and recycling practices.
Environmental experts have welcomed the initiative, noting that it demonstrates how private companies can partner with local organizations and governments to address pressing ecological challenges. With Uganda generating hundreds of thousands of tons of plastic waste annually, such recycling programs may serve as a model for other urban centers grappling with similar environmental concerns.
