Nestlé Lanka in collaboration with Government authorities, inspires behavioural change through its School Waste Management Programme

Nestlé Lanka donated waste management units to schools in the Rathnapura District on 1 February 2022 through its School Waste Management Programme. Implemented in collaboration with the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), the Ministry of Education, and local Municipal Councils, this programme aims to inspire a positive behavioural change in the future generation of Sri Lanka. Launched in January 2020 as part of Nestlé Lanka’s efforts to help achieve a waste-free future, the programme will be extended to 250 schools around the country this year, impacting over 400,000 children, Nestle Lanka said in a media release.

Guided by the authorities, the School Waste Management Programme ensures that waste in school premises is segregated and disposed of responsibly. Further, CEA officials work with the schools’ environmental societies to create awareness on proper waste disposal and management and encourage students to act as environmental ambassadors in spreading the word. Thereafter, the relevant Municipal Council in the area ensures that the waste is collected and sent for recycling or energy recovery as much as possible.

Tyrone Attanayake, Mayor of the Rathnapura Municipal Council said, “Waste is a valuable resource if disposed of responsibly. There is much that can be done with segregated waste, but unfortunately, most people lack awareness. Therefore, this programme is imperative as it lays a strong foundation to encourage behavioural change in school children – the future generation of Sri Lanka.”

Speaking about the importance of instilling good habits at an early age to create a long-term positive impact, Sepala Kuruppuarachchi, Provincial Education Director of Sabaragamuwa said, “It is a pleasure to be a part of this public-private partnership which focuses on taking action and creating awareness about one of the most crucial environmental issues in our country.”

Committed to doing good for the planet, the Good food, Good life company accelerated its efforts to tackle plastic waste pollution in Sri Lanka, with an ambition of ensuring none of its packaging, including plastics, ends up in landfill or waterbodies. Towards this end, Nestlé Lanka has implemented several green initiatives including moving to recyclable or reusable packaging for its products, helping create a circular economy for aseptic beverage cartons and working with government and private institutions to galvanize action and drive behavioural change for a greener and cleaner Sri Lanka.