JKH’s ‘Plasticcycle’ initiative expands to schools in Gampaha District

The Plasticcycle bin handover ceremony at the Bandaranayake College Gampaha 

Launching of the bins

• Initiative under the patronage of the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment

The newest addition to John Keells Group’s Plasticcycle initiative is the placement of Plasticcycle bins at 10 prominent schools in the Gampaha District. This project commenced in February, under the patronage of the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment.

The State Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment Ajith Mannapperuma as well as other officials from the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment and the Gampaha District Central Environmental Authority were present at a ceremony held on 21 February at Bandaranayake College, Gampaha, to mark the handover of the first Plasticcycle bin under this project.

This initiative follows Plasticcycles’ efforts of being a catalyst in significantly reducing plastic pollution in Sri Lanka, with an ever-expanding presence in prominent locations that produce significant quantities of recyclable plastic waste. The project has now collected over 18 metric tons of plastic waste for responsible recycling, since the launch of the initiative in July 2017.

The State Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment Ajith Mannapperuma speaking at the occasion said, “This timely initiative is vital in combating plastic pollution in the Gampaha District. Equally important is educating the youth and the future generations on the importance of taking responsibility for their own plastic footprints and how we can all work together to reduce this impact.”

Under this project supported by Elephant house, Plasticcycle bins were also handed over to the Rathnawali Balika, Holy Cross Girls School and Yasodara Balika with six more schools to follow by April 2019. All Plasticcycle bin locations can be found on https://plasticcycle.lk/#bins. Daminda Gamlath, Sector Head – Consumer Foods Sector and Executive Vice President – John Keells Group commented, “Elephant House is committed to driving responsible plastic disposal and recycling in Sri Lanka. The broader efforts of Elephant House to reduce plastic pollution and promote responsible disposal of plastic will continue, paving the way for sustainable recycling across generations to come.”

In attendance at the launch were Gampaha District Central Environmental Authority Director Chathura Malwana, Elephant House Beverages Regional Sales Manager Brandon Vanroyen, John Keells Group Vice President and Tax and Social Entrepreneurship Project Head Nisreen Rehmanjee and John Keells Group Social Entrepreneurship Project Manager Buddhika Muthukumarana.

‘Plasticcycle’ is a social entrepreneurship initiative launched in July 2017 by John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH), Sri Lanka’s largest listed conglomerate in the Colombo Stock Exchange operating over 70 companies in seven diverse industry sectors. JKH provides employment to over 13,000 persons and has been ranked as Sri Lanka’s ‘Most Respected Entity’ for 13 years. Whilst being a full member of the World Economic Forum and a Member of the UN Global Compact, JKH drives its vision of ‘empowering the nation for tomorrow’, through the John Keells Foundation.

The Plasticcycle bin handover ceremony at the Holy Cross Girls School Gampaha