COTE D’IVOIRE – Ivorian companies from both the public and private sector have come together and formed an association with the aim of finding a sustainable solution for plastic waste management.

The network has been christened, the Association Ivoirienne de valorisation des plastiques (Ivorian Association for the Recovery of Plastics).

Thomas Caso, Managing Director of Nestlé Côte d’Ivoire and a member of this association, said that through the association the professionals will be able to create a coordinated system for managing plastic waste and promoting the circular economy among companies and public authorities.

Association Ivoirienne de valorisation des plastiques (AIVP) will also raise awareness of the populations on the best practices in terms of plastic waste management.

“The problem is not plastics; the problem is how people use plastics,” says Don Dussey, the president of AIVP.

According to the Ivorian Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, Ivory Coast produces more than 40,000 tonnes of plastic waste every year.

More than 50% of this waste is evacuated directly into the streets, while less than 20% is sorted and recycled.

The Ministry notes that the immediate consequence of this situation is the increased pollution of the environment, particularly water and aquatic ecosystems.

Pending the implementation of a “sustainable solution” for plastic waste management by AIVP, sanitation projects are continuing in the country.

Nestlé Côte d’Ivoire, for example, recently launched a campaign to make 100% of its plastic packaging in greater Abidjan recyclable or reusable by 2025.

To achieve this, the subsidiary of the Swiss group Nestlé, which specialises in food processing, is multiplying plastic recycling initiatives in this West African country.

The most recent one is called “J’aime Cocody, loin de ma lagune les déchets plastiques” (I love Cocody, far from my lagoon plastic waste) which was launched last month in partnership with the municipality of Cocody.

Nestlé revealed that the cocody project aims to reduce plastic pollution in the lagoon bays of this municipality, located in the greater Abidjan area.

Liked this article? Subscribe to DealStreet Africa News, our regular email newsletter with the latest news, deals and insights from Africa’s business, economy and more. SUBSCRIBE HERE