Funded and supported by Coca-Cola’s philanthropic arm

Material Recovery Facility (MRF)

Negombo Recycling Club (NRC) – a comprehensive Material Recovery Facility (MRF) was officially launched the chief guest Dr. Anil Jasinghe – Secretary to the Ministry of Environment recently in commemoration of Global Recycling Day. This MRF was funded and supported by Coca-Cola’s philanthropic arm – The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF), and Eco Spindles – one of Sri Lanka’s largest plastic recyclers, and implemented by Janathakshan (GTE) Ltd., a non-profit organization that is renowned for its work in circular economy and low carbon development in the island. NRC aims to increase the collection and recycling of waste, including PET plastics, through strengthening the recyclable waste-collection system in Negombo, predominantly through capacitating informal collectors.

Hailed as both a prime commercial hub and one of the most popular tourist destinations within the Western Province, Negombo attracts both local and global visitors. However, irresponsible waste disposal and lack of good waste Pimanagement processes has led to valuable resources being discarded in the environment. Addressing this issue, NRC will extract recyclables from a vast inflow of waste and undergo a value addition process through bailing and crushing of waste prior to it being sent to recyclers. Converting waste into compact bales and granules gains a higher income for NRC from recyclers such as Eco Spindles, allowing the MRF to pay almost double the usual rate to their informal collector network, incentivizing them to collect more. Notably, NRC also acts as a ‘buy-back’ center, enabling local communities to sell their recyclable waste directly to the MRF.

Mounds of plastic waste collected by the MRF for recycling purposes

“I commend The Coca-Cola foundation, Janathakshan, Negombo Recycling Club and Eco Spindles for taking the initiative to strengthen the waste manage areas. The industry must take an active role in this endeavour. MRFs like this are effective solutions to the issue of waste collection and recycling in Sri Lanka. We have to take such steps to strengthen existing waste collection networks and the entire value chain and ensure that recyclable plastic waste is effectively segregated and given a new life.” – Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Environment.

We are extremely pleased to support an initiative that uplifts the status and earnings of informal waste collectors, especially during a critical time period in Sri Lanka where local communities are exploring alternative means of income”, said Saadia Madsbjerg, President, The Coca-Cola Foundation.

Adding further thought, Mr. Prasantha Malimbadage, CEO Recycling of Eco Spindles shared, “We are happy to have been a part of this journey in the establishment of NRC, through infrastructure support and identifying the correct individuals who will be managing the MRF. comprehensive MRFs in Sri Lanka together with Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka, we are happy to be expanding this model to a wider network of MRFs across the country through this project.”

Sharing his thoughts on the new MRF, Mr. Nishantha Perera Managing Director of NRC, said, “With the opening of this NRC, my team and I have been given an opportunity to create a positive impact for our local communities and the environment in Negombo. We are working hard to expand our collector network, supported by the collection infrastructure such as bins and bags that have been provided by this project.

The Coca-Cola Foundation has provided over USD 790,000 in recent years to Sri Lanka to enhance PET plastic collection and recycling, establishing Material Recovery Facilities and strengthening the informal sector waste collection and eco system, thereby contributing to creating a sustainable circular economy on the island.

(L-R) Gothami Chandraratne, Director Operations of Janathakshan (Gte) Ltd., Thamari Senanayake, Director – Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability, Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka, Prasantha Malimbadage, CEO Recycling of Eco Spindles, Dr. Anil Jasinghe – Secretary to the Ministry of Environment, Nishantha Perera – Managing Director of Negombo Recycling Club and Lakshan Madurasinghe, Regional Lead – Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability for Coca-Cola Sri Lanka, at the ceremonial opening of the material recovery facility in Negombo