Zambian Breweries’ recycling initiative – Manja Pamodzi Limited – has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Java Foods to collect recyclable waste from its factory as part of the food processor’s contribution to the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework designed to increase manufacturers’ roles in building a green economy.
EPR is built on regulations set out in Statutory Instrument No. 65 of 2018 that seek to promote the best practices manufacturers must follow to reduce their impact on the local environment.
Manja Pamodzi is a community-based initiative that supports a network of entrepreneurs who collect and sell post-consumer packaging waste in Lusaka as part of Zambian Breweries’ strategy to help improve the country’s solid waste management system.
With this MoU, Manja Pamodzi will proactively collect recyclable waste directly from the trading premises of Java Foods, reducing the volume of solid waste reaching local landfills.
Java Foods Limited, a company run, successfully, by a female Zambian entrepreneur manufactures affordable and nutritious food made from local products. Over the years, it has grown to be one of the leading food manufacturers in Southern Africa.
“We commend Java Foods’ decision to joining hands with Manja Pamodzi in promoting environmental protection through recycling – which in turn helps raise hygiene standards in local communities,” said Manja Pamodzi Project Coordinator Misheck Simwanza.
Under Manja Pamodzi, collectors gather recyclable waste such as plastic bottles and other packaging materials and sell them to aggregators. The aggregators then sell the material to recyclers who process it into pellets, cups, chairs, tissue and other useful items.
“Creating sustainability through recycling, can help conserve natural resources, reduce the amount of waste reaching landfills and increase economic security by tapping into domestic raw materials,” explained Mr Simwanza.
Ms Musonda said: “Recycling is key to creating environmental sustainability as well as building green communities. By enlisting Manja Pamodzi to help with our waste recycling, we are perpetuating our ethos of caring for the environment and wider society. It was an obvious connection given our existing relationship with the Zambian Breweries team.”
Zambian Breweries believes this endeavour cannot be achieved by Government alone but requires a joint effort from communities, corporate entities, and other stakeholders to make it work.
Manja Pamodzi was launched in 2016 by Zambian Breweries with support from Lusaka City Council and Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA). It has so far recruited more than 800 collectors while collecting over 12,000 tons of recyclable waste from communities in Lusaka.
