THE Caribbean Container Inc. (CCI) commissioned its Tetra Pak Recycling Plant yesterday at its head office and factory at Farm, East Bank Demerara.

In 2013, CCI entered into a joint venture with Tetra Pak wherein both companies are keen on sustainable development and best environmental practices.

Speaking at the launch, Patricia Bacchus, Managing Director of CCI, related that the recycling plant was an initiative of the late Ronald Webster, Chairman of CCI. She noted that even though the company was

commissioning a new plant, it faced one major impediment relative to utilising its production capacity, and that impediment is the shortage in local supply of old corrugated cardboard. As a consequence, the company has had to procure and import cardboard from overseas.

CCI is embarking on different strategies to curb the importation of cardboard, and is currently extending its private initiative for local waste cardboard collection.

Previously, CCI depended on fifteen private suppliers and a number of local businesses to collect and sell materials to the company. The company has since started to collaborate with private waste collection entities, and has placed collection bins at different places.

Presently, there are collection bins at the Stabroek Market Square and at the Lusignan Dumpsite; and bins are in the process of being set up in Lethem; at West Demerara, and in Berbice.

“The company is currently in discussion with the Ministry of Local Government to have points set up in Georgetown for the collection of cardboard waste, and it is (the company’s) hope for a favourable response”, Bacchus noted.

She explained that there was need to find another way to optimise production and recover fibre or material from non-traditional ways. “This is when we decided to approach Tetra Pak. This company then provided to CCI the main recycling equipment, and we undertook mainly controls and motors; and today we launch this plant”.

Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Mr Robert Persaud, commended CCI and assured them of the Government’s support in their initiatives to create new niches and adhere to the necessary policies.

He explained, “Not so long ago, we wondered how (to) utilise waste, how (to) manage it and make it not only good for the environment, but also for the economy. In recent months, we have taken steps to move waste from a stage where it is a burden to one (where it) is a commodity; and very soon, in the National Assembly, we will table the Solid Waste Bill, and this will be done by the Ministry of Local Government,” Minister Persaud said.

He reiterated that there are a number of anti-littering activities being conducted presently, awareness at different levels is carried out, and soon after the Solid Waste Bill would have been passed, Guyana would see different incentives being offered to move waste from a burden to a commodity.

“Just recently, under the anti-liter regulations, in one week 36 businesses in Georgetown were issued citations to be closed because of non-adherence; and this will be taken across the country”, Minister Persaud declared.

He concluded his remarks by reiterating the Government’s support for CCI’s initiative and for its grand step in the right direction to make solid waste economically viable.
CCI, an integrated paper recycling and corrugated box manufacturing entity, is a ‘green’ business, operating in line with the concept of sustainable development. In 2006, it managed to avoid foreclosure and commenced a major restructuring programme.

The company recycles approximately 4000 metric tonnes of old corrugated cardboard annually, with supplies from the domestic solid waste stream as well as from other Caricom jurisdictions.

(By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)