Coca-Cola, Hima Cement ink plastic waste partnership

A new partnership has been formalized to ensure plastic waste is put to good use as an alternative fuel in cement production thanks to a new three-year partnership between Coca-Cola Beverages Uganda (CCBU) and Hima Cement Limited announced by executives on Nov.17 in Kampala.

CCBU will provide Hima Cement access to plastic waste from its operations for handling and disposal through Hima’s waste management business, Geocycle.

Geocycle offers safe and sustainable waste management solutions applying the internationally recognised technology of co-processing.

The partnership is designed to end the lifestyle of PET waste collected from the environment. CCBU will provide Hima Cement with waste from its recycling process to be used in their heating processes in the cement kiln leaving no residue.

The two companies will also collaborate in awareness creation for proper waste management through communications according to Kirunda Magoola, CCBU Public Affairs, Communications, and Sustainability Director.

Jean-Michel Pons, the Hima Cement Country CEO, said: “As part of our decarbonization and circular economy approach, we utilize materials at the end of their lifecycle as alternative fuels, such as industrial wastes like plastics and agricultural wastes like biomass, thus reducing the carbon intensity of our cement while offering a unique solution to waste challenges.”

He added: “This is an existential threat that we must tackle as a unit. It cannot be the responsibility of a single person or organisation. Everybody must get involved.”