Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) has launched a new recycling initiative in northern Namibia aimed at strengthening the country’s recycling value chain while creating economic opportunities for informal waste collectors.
The 2026 Recycling Heroes Project, launched in Rundu and Ondangwa in partnership with local authorities, recyclers and the Recycle Namibia Forum (RNF), will train waste collectors, improve packaging recovery and connect participants to formal recycling markets.
The programme forms part of CCBA’s economic inclusion strategy and targets women, youth and persons with disabilities, equipping them with practical recycling skills while improving access to sustainable income opportunities.
A total of 244 participants have already received training in waste sorting, recycling practices and occupational safety. The project also aims to strengthen Namibia’s PET plastic recycling value chain by improving links between waste collectors, recyclers and end markets.
CCBA Public Affairs, Communication and Sustainability Director Ockert Jansen said the initiative goes beyond waste collection by creating pathways for economic participation.
“Recycling Heroes is about more than packaging collection. It helps build skills, supports dignity of work and creates pathways for economic participation,” Jansen said.
Rundu and Ondangwa were selected because rapid population growth has placed increasing pressure on municipal waste management systems, highlighting the need for more organised recycling activities. The project seeks to formalise informal waste collection through skills development, improved organisation and stronger market access.
As part of the initiative, CCBA and its partners will establish a structured database of waste collectors to improve planning, coordination and data-driven decision-making across the recycling sector.
Jansen said the collaborative model brings together industry, government and civil society to deliver long-term economic and environmental benefits.
“We seek greater value and impact by bringing stakeholders together across industry, government and society to address shared challenges,” he said.
CCBA said the project is expected to strengthen Namibia’s recycling economy by improving packaging recovery, supporting cleaner communities and expanding economic participation through a more organised recycling sector.
