For Deltans who have, over the years, discarded used pet bottles into drains, blocking flow of water or dump them into waste bins, those days are now over. Opportunity has now been created to convert the pet bottles to wealth.
The Delta state ministry of environment has entered into partnership with Solid Chemicals, a pet bottles recycling firm and Coca Cola Foundation in Asaba, the Delta state capital. The firm has put every modality in place to convert the pet bottles to strapping belt.
Chris Onogba, the Delta state commissioner for environment, accompanied by the ministry permanent secretary, Dr. Minie Oseji, on Wednesday told journalists during the collection of pet bottles in Asaba that the days of littering the environment with pet bottles were over.
The commissioner made the remark when he led staff of the ministry through the streets of Asaba to collect the pet bottles from the drains for recycling.
Onogba said the environment ministry is in partnership with Solid Chemicals and Coca Cola Foundation which are set to recycle the pet bottles that litter the streets of Delta cities and convert them into strapping belts.
According to Onogba, two goals will be achieved. One will be taking pet bottles off the streets and make the city clean and two, add values to wastes.
The commissioner said the exercise will bring about a beautiful environment which will be habitable for all. He added that the clean environment will also reduce money spent on taking care of our health.
Managing Director of Solid Chemicals who was also in the street with the commissioner collecting the plastic bottles, Mr. Francis Nnaji, said instead of littering cities and blocking drainages, plastic bottles could be turned to money and wealth.
He told journalists that residents who gather their plastic bottles and present them to Solid Chemicals would be paid, hence, he said nobody should discard used plastic bottles any longer as they are money spinning avenues.
He said the bottles are recycled from beginning to the end. “We turn them to strap belts. They can be used to do a lot of things. We are starting with pet strapping machines and we hope to create jobs. In Asaba, we are looking at 200 staff. That will go a long way in reducing unemployment in the city.”
