Elephant House and Zerotrash together with Plasticcycle launches a recyclable Plastic Collection Centre

Elephant House together with Zerotrash and the collaborative effort of the John Keells Group Social Entrepreneurship Project, Plasticcycle, recently opened the “Zerotrash Recyclable Plastic Collection Centre” to further promote recycling and better plastic waste management practices across the country.

Located in Boralesgamuwa, this newly launched recyclable Plastic Collection Centre is equipped with dedicated transport and service personnel to collect post-consumption recyclable plastic from collection points. The centre also operates an online platform through which the public can schedule a pick-up of any recyclable plastic. Alternatively, consumers are also given the option of dropping off any recyclable plastic waste at the collection point itself. Currently this facility is made available within the Colombo District and will be expanded to the western province in due course.

Commenting on the launch of the Centre, John Keells Group President Consumer Foods Industry Daminda Gamlath, said, “In today’s world we need to focus on sustainable projects that will benefit society and the environment. Through this project, we aim to promote good practices while providing a feasible solution for an issue that has been a matter of concern for a long time. Together with Gunadamin Elephant House, through Plasticcycle, we hope to provide our consumers a valuable service and reduce the plastic pollution.”

“The launch of the Zerotrash recyclable plastic collection centre, a project funded by Ceylon Cold Stores PLC and supported by Plasticcycle is an effort to bring together key stakeholders in our shared vision to reduce plastic pollution in Sri Lanka. Collectors of recyclable plastic waste play an integral role in a circular economy and need to be supported to expand their infrastructure, capacity and reach,” commented Nisreen Rehmanjee, John Keells Group Executive Vice President – Head of Corporate Finance, Group Tax and Social Entrepreneurship Project, John Keells Holdings.

CEO of Zerotrash Hasanka Padukka, stated, “We are focusing on building technology solutions to collect, report, reward and recycle trash with a self-sustaining business model. Our solutions are focused on solving trash-related problems for both households and corporates and support circular economy concepts. We also support the Government’s efforts to implement extended producer responsibility (EPR) measures. We encourage people to collect plastic trash and other recyclable items to drop off at our ZeroTrash collection center or schedule a pickup via www.zerotrash.lk. We believe that simple actions can create a greater positive impact to solve some of the burning issues related to the trash problem in Sri Lanka.”

Elephant House is a legendary brand with strong brand recognition and nostalgia synonymous with over 150 years of heritage and trust. Elephant house is a trusted household staple brand, loved and embraced by consumers, enabling the brand to widen its product portfolio and offerings. The organisation has engaged in several initiatives to improve their business practices and encourage protection and preservation of the environment and community wellness.

Gunadamin Elephant House is the CSR brand of Elephant House that encapsulates all initiatives that are carried out primarily for the greater good of the society. This project is a part of Waste Management pillar which, collectively with the two other pillars of Community and Sustainable Sourcing makes up the whole of Gunadamin Elephant House. Gunadamin Elephant House will partner with JK Foundation and Plasticcycle for the execution of the community driven and plastic waste management projects.