International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste: Reducing Food Waste in the Beverage Industry

Article written by the Sustainable Consumption and Food Production team at ThirdWay Partners.

As we observe the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, we want to highlight the genuine sustainability efforts underway in Africa, of which we are proudly a part. Join us in this exciting journey towards a more sustainable future.

Image credit: fao.org

In the world of beverage manufacturing, environmental waste is a concern we all share. From production line losses to raw material waste, and even filtration waste, these factors contribute to overall waste and wastewater treatment sludges. One prominent issue is packaging waste, particularly plastic waste. In the following paragraphs, we want to shed light on an impactful project, which aims to make a tangible difference in reducing packaging waste.

Introducing the Sustainable Initiative

The circular economy project, implemented by a large bottling company with ESG advisory support managed by ThirdWay Partners (TWP), focuses on creating a more sustainable approach to plastic packaging in Africa. The initiative is part of a broader global effort to transition to circular economy value chains.

Project Implementation: From Bottle to Bottle

The project aims to foster a bottle-to-bottle value chain. This involves sorting, collecting, and recycling plastic waste to incorporate recycled plastic (rPET) into the manufacture of new beverage packaging in one country before expanding to others on the African continent. As project manager, TWP collaborates with valuable partners, including those handling point-of-sale collection, waste picker formalization and upskilling, and plastic recycling.

North Africa as the Starting Point

A prominent country in North Africa serves as the inaugural location for this pilot initiative. Over the next few years,  it aims to achieve several key milestones, including the collection of thousands of metric tons of plastic packaging, the formalization of waste pickers, the establishment of collection points at various locations, and the creation of environmentally friendly job opportunities.

Engaging Consumers for a Sustainable Future

To drive consumer engagement, a media campaign will be launched to raise awareness about proper waste sorting, collection, and recycling opportunities. This campaign utilizes various methods, including a mobile application, stickers, equipment distribution, and training sessions. It aims to inform the public about the project's objectives and educate customers on the principles of an incentive-based collection system. Furthermore, collection bins will be strategically deployed for increased visibility in urban areas. The central objective aligns with the ambition to enhance recycling accessibility and achieve high collection and recycling rates by 2030.

Toward Sustainable Growth

By promoting the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle, this initiative encourages responsible resource utilization and waste reduction throughout the product lifecycle. This transition is vital in addressing environmental challenges, creating sustainable employment opportunities, and promoting economic growth rooted in sustainable practices.

By embracing recycling as a cornerstone of the circular economy, we can significantly reduce waste, conserve valuable resources, and contribute to a cleaner and more prosperous society for Africa's sustainable future.