Etosha recycling project kicks off

SOME unemployed youths from the Hai//om clan of San people are amongst 12 young people who have been employed at the Etosha Recycling Project.

The project – a joint venture between the Ministry of Environment, Namibia Wildlife Resorts, Namibia Breweries, Move-a-Mess and Collect-A-Can with assistance from the Strengthening of Protect Areas Network (SPAN) – was launched at Okaukuejo resort by Environment Deputy Minister Leon Jooste on Tuesday. Jooste said the Etosha National Park Recycling Project will cover mainly tins, cans and bottles.”There is a huge deposit of bottles coming out of the park, which needs our serious attention.Recycling of waste is clearly the way ahead and not to do so is a major threat to our environment and the social and economic development of our country,” said Jooste.The Corporate Affairs Manager at Namibia Breweries, Gideon Shilongo, said his company views proper waste management and education on pollution and conservation of the environment as critical to avert the destruction of the fragile Namibian environment.It is estimated that more than 30 tons of bottles and two tons of beverage cans year are discarded by at the Okaukuejo, Namutoni and Halali resorts in Etosha National Park.Waste from the three resorts is sorted into different categories.Recyclable materials are then crushed, packaged and transported to South Africa for recycling.Jooste said the Etosha National Park Recycling Project will cover mainly tins, cans and bottles.”There is a huge deposit of bottles coming out of the park, which needs our serious attention.Recycling of waste is clearly the way ahead and not to do so is a major threat to our environment and the social and economic development of our country,” said Jooste.The Corporate Affairs Manager at Namibia Breweries, Gideon Shilongo, said his company views proper waste management and education on pollution and conservation of the environment as critical to avert the destruction of the fragile Namibian environment.It is estimated that more than 30 tons of bottles and two tons of beverage cans year are discarded by at the Okaukuejo, Namutoni and Halali resorts in Etosha National Park.Waste from the three resorts is sorted into different categories.Recyclable materials are then crushed, packaged and transported to South Africa for recycling.