Silafrica Forms Partnership with PETCO Ethiopia to Reduce Post-Consumer PET's Environmental Impact

Posted on : Friday , 27th August 2021

Silafrica's collaboration with PETCO aims to reduce the environmental impact of post-consumer Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) on Ethiopia's landscape. One of the most significant accomplishments of the collaboration is the demonstration that plastic packaging has no negative environmental impact.

Getaneh Asfaw, Country CEO of Silafrica Ethiopia, says, "We are glad and thrilled to work with PETCO Ethiopia to assist us with our obligations in this vital effort." "As a responsible corporate citizen, we are totally dedicated to realising our vision, and this connection will help us move closer to achieving a circular economy for plastic."

PETCO, which was founded as an independent organisation in 2020, does not directly recycle materials; instead, they collect post-consumer plastic waste and then support and facilitate the sale of collected materials to recyclers. PETCO Ethiopia memberships are available to a wide range of business-to-business and consumer entities, including PET raw material producers/importers, preform producers/importers, bottlers, brand owners, retailers, recyclers, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), foundations, universities, and schools.

Silafrica's collaboration with PETCO is the latest chapter in the company's ongoing efforts as a company whose purpose incorporates one of its core tenets as sustainability. A relationship with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and a global commitment to a circular economy are two of its most recent efforts. Silafrica, a long-time leader in the development of sustainable plastic packaging solutions, was the first packaging company in Africa to join the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's Global Commitment to The New Plastics Economy.

"We believe that we at Silafrica can do good by using 10% of our manufacturing capacity to make affordable quality products good for our community and our planet," Getaneh says, emphasising Silafrica's commitment to sustainability.

Another facet of the Silafrica mission is to support people and communities in Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia, as well as clients in these and neighbouring countries and elsewhere in Africa. By 2025, Silafrica hopes to have 100 percent reusable, recyclable, or compostable plastic packaging, with at least 40% of their product made from recycled plastic. As part of its expanding hygiene initiative, Silafrica will produce plastic dustbins, pit latrines, and other social impact products made entirely of 100% recycled plastic materials at the request of PETCO Ethiopia.