By NDUMBE BELL GASTON
Nestlé Cameroon in partnership with SABC Group (Brasseries du Cameroun), joined by the Regional Delegation of Environment, Hysacam and NAMe Recycling, organised a garbage removal campaign, especially plastic wastes, to mark the end of activities of World Environment Day celebrated every June 5 and to mark the beginning of World Oceans Day commemorated every June 8.
Hundreds of workers dressed in garbage disposal costumes consisting of green tops, yellow hand gloves and hard boots, were seen last Friday June 7 at the Wouri beach of Yupwe, collecting both biodegradable and non-biodegradable items, with special focus on mitigating plastic pollution in the communities. The mission was also geared towards creating awareness on the dangers so that they, in turn, could get involved to clean up their environments and make the quality of their lives a lot better.
Alarming and scary statistics sourced from the WWF states that global plastic waste production is expected to rise to 41% by 2030 and the amount stored in the ocean could close up to 300 million tons in the same period.
Troubled by the statistics, Nestlé Cameroon under their banner “Nestlé Cares”, a voluntary and selfless employee activities aimed at creating shared value for individuals, families, and communities in the planet, clasped hands with SABC and others to make this initiative a wake-up call to other stakeholders to join so that together they could share experiences on how to create “a rational waste management plan to protect and preserve the environment”.
The Regional Delegate of the Environment acknowledged the initiative and continued that government is strongly behind such initiatives.
The relatively new Nestlé Cameroon Managing Director, Robert Helou talked of a special focus on avoiding plastic wastes. “This action is part of Nestlé global commitment to make 100% of its packaging recyclable or re-usable by 2025. It clearly demonstrates Nestlé Cameroon’s commitment to continue to play its role as leading player in addressing plastic waste and pollution in general”. Helou also talked about the official launching to enhance the quality of life for individuals, families, communities and the planet.
Emmanuel de Tailly, for his part as General Manager of SABC Group agreed that they are implicated, so they must be part of the solution; “The market of bottled water and soft drinks represents tens of millions of plastic bottles sold each year. These empty bottles constitute a non-negligible source of pollution and since we are fighting against pollution and because we are preoccupied by the well-being of the population, we choose to associate to the concept of Ocean Day.