Yes No Solutions has partnered with Coca-Cola, PhoenixEarth Initiative, Mauri-Facilities, as well as various other partners and NGOs including Mission Verte, New Invaders Club, We-Recycle Mauritius, and Mauritius Scouts Association, among others, to launch the “I am Recyclable – Boutey Retourne, Boutey Resikle” campaign in Mauritius. Kicking off in November 2023 at the Farmers Centre in Goodlands, the campaign concluded in the south of the island at the Chemin Grenier Social Welfare Centre in February 2024. This campaign was a resounding success, with over 5,000 participants and the collection of more than 2.97 tonnes of PET bottles.
This initiative, graced by the presence of the Minister of Environment, Solid Waste Management, and Climate Change, the Honorable Kavydass Ramano, as well as the Ambassador of the United States to Mauritius and Seychelles, His Excellency Henry V Jardine, and other dignitaries at its launch in November, also saw the involvement of various prominent figures throughout the campaign. The aim was to raise awareness about the importance of waste segregation by all and to emphasize that the collective efforts of all are essential to building a sustainable future.
The awareness campaign aimed to instil a culture of sustainable development in the daily lives of the population by encouraging simple actions that contribute to plastic recycling, particularly PET bottles, which are then collected for recycling into various uses. It highlighted the crucial role of selective sorting in Mauritian households, emphasizing that a PET bottle is recyclable.
At the heart of this campaign, roadshows were held across Mauritius, primarily in centres such as the Citizen Support Unit (CSU), Social Welfare Centres, and Village Halls across several regions of the island, including Goodlands, Triolet, Montagne Longue, Pamplemousses, Lallmatie, Bel Air, St. Pierre, Bon Accueil, Quartier Militaire, Moka at Lycée des Mascareignes, Bambous, St. Croix, Plaine Magnien, Mahebourg, New Grove, Tamarin at Cœur de Ville Super U, Surinam, and finally the Chemin Grenier region.
The agenda included:
- Raising awareness about the importance of plastic waste segregation at source through interactive sessions
- Educational sessions on the essence of recycling and the circular economy by NGOs
- Collection of PET bottles
- Educational games for all ages
- Distribution of samples
- Cleanup around the roadshow venues by the Mauri-Facilities Management Co Ltd team.
According to Dr. Ayeshah Fauzee, Senior Director Public Affairs, Communication & Sustainability, West, Islands and Mid-Africa Region at The Coca-Cola Company, “We are convinced that every packaging has value and a life beyond its initial use and should be collected and recycled, either into new packaging or for another beneficial use. Coca-Cola’s sustainable development strategy, called ‘World Without Waste’, promotes the development of a circular economy for our packaging, and this campaign was part of that approach. Working in collaboration with Yes No Solutions and PhoenixEarth Initiative, as well as NGOs, reaffirms our commitment to fostering collective action towards achieving a circular economy in Mauritius.”
“The main objective of this campaign aligns with our commitment to a Waste-Free World, ensuring that every bottle we produce is collected and recycled. It illustrates our dedication to taking concrete actions and inspiring individuals to join us in our mission of responsible recycling, ensuring that used plastic bottles do not end up where they shouldn’t. By partnering with this initiative, we were able to convey the message that every bottle has the potential to be recycled, embodying the campaign’s motto, ‘Boutey Retourne, Boutey Resikle’,” she added.
Phoenix Beverages Group, through its sustainable development arm, PhoenixEarth Initiative, is proud to be one of the partners in this project. This initiative is a testament to the collaboration and unwavering commitment of our partners, including The Coca-Cola Company, Yes No Solutions, Citizen Support Unit (CSU), Mauri-Facilities, We-Recycle Mauritius, New Invaders Club, Mission Verte, Winners, Super U, and Mauritius Scouts Association, among others.
“Our mission is crystal clear: to encourage and inspire individuals in various regions to bring their PET bottles for recycling. We understand the urgency of the plastic waste problem, and we refuse to be mere bystanders. Instead, we are catalysts for change, determined to ensure that every PET bottle produced or sold finds its way back into the recycling process,” emphasized Bernard Theys, CEO of Phoenix Beverages Group. He continued by reiterating PhoenixEarth Initiative’s commitment to creating tangible results and driving significant change. “Recent climate events confirm that we must continually work on awareness to ensure a sustainable future. We envision creating a world where proper recycling practices are not just an option but a way of life. But let’s be clear – it’s not enough for just a few to act. We are calling on every individual to embrace this movement. Everyone’s actions can turn into something extraordinary. Recycle PET bottles, inspire your friends and family, and spread the word about our campaign. Together, we can make a monumental impact,” he affirmed.
This campaign reflects the fundamental pillars for driving collective action, working with stakeholders, suppliers, NGOs, communities, customers, and industry players to invest in recycling innovation, infrastructure, organizations, and initiatives for a circular economy.
This initiative was made possible through the joint efforts of several partners. It demonstrates the synergy between the public and private sectors, NGOs, and the general public, aligning to strengthen our present actions for a sustainable future while promoting recycling to advance a circular economy.
The goal is to unite all Mauritians to contribute to this noble endeavour in order to lead our island towards a greener and more sustainable horizon. This is how over 5,000 people have become actors in this movement. Our ultimate goal is, “Recycle today for a sustainable tomorrow.”
Continue to follow us on our Facebook page Yes No Solutions and visit our website www.yesnosolutions.org for more upcoming campaigns.
