Amalgamated Beverages Industries is working with the youth to raise awareness on the importance of environmental management.
The company has chosen to focus on youths as they are the future citizens. The initiative, Every bottle has a story, entails the collection of empty cans, plastic and paper for recycling aimed at generating income for school projects.
William Mahlasela of the company said the initiative was made up of three programmes involving school children, out of school youths and company employees.
The school programme involves 260 primary and secondary school nationally with nine from Alexandra already involved. The top 10 schools which collect the most waste will receive cash prizes, with the top three receiving R50 000 each. There will also be prizes for the pupil who collects the most and for the teacher who facilitates the biggest collection.
The second programme, Recycling soldiers, involves school leavers who will work together with schools on waste collection. The top four achievers in this collection will receive R12 000 each to further their studies. The third programme, Soul ambassadors, involves company emloyees who in their spare time initiate or support community development programmes.
Mahlasela said the three programmes enable the company to plough back some of its profits to communities, provide opportunities for full-time employment of youths, and to contribute to reducing the carbon footprint in the interest of preserving the environment for the future.
