As sustainable development is the subject of shared responsibilities, cooperation and partnership at different levels between the public and private sectors are essential. Private companies and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are strategic partners in achieving sustainable development and it is obvious that Government alone will not be able to achieve this objective.
The Minister of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change, Mr Kavydass Ramano, made this statement, today, during the launching ceremony of the PhoenixEarth Initiative, at the Mauritius Glass Gallery in Phoenix. The event was organised by Phoenix Beverages Group (PBG).
The Chief Executive Officer of PBG, Mr Bernard Theys, the Senior Manager, Public Affairs of The Coca-Cola Foundation, Dr Ayeshah Fauzee, and other personalities were also present on this occasion.
In his address, Minister Ramano commended PBG for having launched the PhoenixEarth Initiative, which seeks to strengthen its overall development in a responsible and sustainable manner in order to promote a sustainable Mauritius, in particular by helping to strengthen the action to recover and recycle polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. He highlighted that PBG is engaged in environment protection, sustainable development and the promotion of green economy, and also lauded NGOs involved in this same process.
The Minister pointed out that the PhoenixEarth Initiative is in line with Government’s vision of shifting from a linear to a circular economy, and with Government efforts to protect, conserve and enhance our natural capital, and protect the health and well-being of citizens. He recalled that sustainable waste management and the switch to a circular economy are among Government’s top priorities and, as such, his Ministry has set up a number of Civic Amenity Centres across the country, which is part of the government’s strategy to switch to the circular economy.
Furthermore, Minister Ramano underscored that plastic represents around 14% (75,000 tons) of solid waste in Mauritius and poses a threat to marine resources in addition of having other drawbacks. As such, he added, there is a need to come forward with a partnership with recyclers so that their activities can constitute an economic pillar.
As for Mr Theys, he underlined that the PhoenixEarth Initiative will provide support in various areas such as raising awareness about recycling through educational projects, projects related to reducing water and CO2 consumption inputs, intensifying and promoting the use of green energy, as well as projects like the one initiated by The Coca-Cola Foundation and the NGO Mission Verte to make the island greener through the intensification of the collection and recycling of PET plastic.
On this occasion, a cheque of USD 150,000 was also remitted to the NGO Mission Verte by The Coca-Cola Foundation as part of its commitment to promote a circular economy. This cheque aims at supporting Mission Verte in order to accelerate its project’s implementation, which consists in strengthening the establishment of a PET bottles collection system across the island for recycling.
