Koudijs Uganda takes initiative to recycle single use plastics
Single use plastics form one of the largest environmental challenges in Uganda. Which is why Koudijs Uganda has set up a program aimed at the collection and reusage of single use feed bags. The program incentivizes farmers to return used bags by giving them a discount on the purchase of animal feed. Koudijs expects to recycle a significant amount of used polypropylene bags as a result of this new initiative.
Uganda
Johan Verhoek, Export Manager Koudijs: “Reducing the amount of single use plastics in the environment is one of the most pressing environmental issues in Uganda. Which is why we have developed a program to incentivize farmers to return their empty feed bags to us.”
“Farmers can return their empty feedbags to one of our Ugandan Koudijs suppliers”, Johan states, “and will then receive a discount on the animal feed they purchase. This discount makes it worthwhile for farmers to collect and return their empty feed bags to us.”
“The bags will be recycled in cooperation with Tesco Industries and will be used to create new plastics, building materials. Some of the bags will be repurposed as reusable shopping bags, replacing the single use bags that most people use right now. We expect to recycle of used polypropylene of plastic each year with this new program.”
Michiel Peters, Manager Corporate Affairs at Royal De Heus, the parent company of Koudijs adds: “We contribute towards the availability and accessibility of safe and healthy food in a sustainable manner. We feel that this responsibility also extends to the local environment of the communities in which we operate. We are very proud that Koudijs Uganda took this initiative to reduce the environmental impact of single use feed bags. If this program is successful, we might even expand to other countries where single use plastics lead to environmental problems.”
