Konjore launches glass-recycling company

ENVIRONMENT and Tourism Minister Willem Konjore officially launched the Glass Recycling Company in Windhoek on Thursday.

Speaking at the event, Konjore noted that glass recycling is a very difficult industry. With relatively small volumes of glass in the country and the enormous investments required in setting up a glass-recycling plant, all glass which is retrieved has to be transported to South Africa for recycling.”While today marks the beginning of yet another way to keep Namibia clean, we also celebrate the benefits that waste recovery has for our entrepreneurs.Through our continuous efforts, it is evident that Government continuously strives to reduce unemployment, redress income disparities and ensure a better life for all our citizens,” he said.”It is thus appreciative to witness this initiative by the private sector under the leading role by Namibia Breweries and partners in not only keeping our environment clean but also providing a means of income for entrepreneurs.”Konjore said as the global village expands and the mobility of people increases, so do the damaging effects they can have on their habitat.”One needs to be cognisant of the fact that human beings and all the demands they have will take their toll on natural resources if people are not careful to preserve what they have.”He called upon citizens, consumers, industries and Government to ensure that they operate in a manner that is conducive to sustain the environment.The minister commended the Collect-A-Can campaign that recovers more than 75 per cent of all beverage cans sold in the country for recycling.He noted that entrepreneurs do not have to go through the struggle of sorting the glass according to colour as was required in the past.The objectives of the company, according to General Manager Shabeer Jhetam, includes job creation, environmental protection, prevention of detrimental legislation on glass packaging and creating synergies with other stakeholders.Target areas for waste glass collection include Oshakati, Opuwo, Rundu, Katima Mulilo, Etosha and Ondangwa.NampaWith relatively small volumes of glass in the country and the enormous investments required in setting up a glass-recycling plant, all glass which is retrieved has to be transported to South Africa for recycling.”While today marks the beginning of yet another way to keep Namibia clean, we also celebrate the benefits that waste recovery has for our entrepreneurs.Through our continuous efforts, it is evident that Government continuously strives to reduce unemployment, redress income disparities and ensure a better life for all our citizens,” he said.”It is thus appreciative to witness this initiative by the private sector under the leading role by Namibia Breweries and partners in not only keeping our environment clean but also providing a means of income for entrepreneurs.”Konjore said as the global village expands and the mobility of people increases, so do the damaging effects they can have on their habitat.”One needs to be cognisant of the fact that human beings and all the demands they have will take their toll on natural resources if people are not careful to preserve what they have.”He called upon citizens, consumers, industries and Government to ensure that they operate in a manner that is conducive to sustain the environment.The minister commended the Collect-A-Can campaign that recovers more than 75 per cent of all beverage cans sold in the country for recycling.He noted that entrepreneurs do not have to go through the struggle of sorting the glass according to colour as was required in the past.The objectives of the company, according to General Manager Shabeer Jhetam, includes job creation, environmental protection, prevention of detrimental legislation on glass packaging and creating synergies with other stakeholders.Target areas for waste glass collection include Oshakati, Opuwo, Rundu, Katima Mulilo, Etosha and Ondangwa.Nampa