AmCham and UMBA: World Without Waste

DateJuly 13, 2018
Event categoryAdvocacy
VenueArmenia Marriott Hotel Yerevan

On July 13, 2018 AmCham and UMBA (Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen in Armenia) organized a discussion on best practices and global trends of packaging and waste recycling. Local industry leaders and international organizations gathered to tackle the growing crisis of waste management, share expertise and discuss possible solutions to effectively address the vital issue in Armenia. Opening the event, AmCham Executive Director Vanane Ararktsyan stressed the importance of developing a uniform approach when addressing the issues of waste management, packaging and recycling. “We hope that this meeting will help better understand the current situation on the market and will serve as a basis for an industry discussion platform, where our Members – both local and international – will actively participate, together with other representatives of the field”. This timely discussion was initiated by Coca-Cola Hellenic Armenia. Being part of the Group that has set an ambitious industry-first goal to collect and recycle 100% of packaging sent to the markets by 2030, the company daily works to ensure it lessens the environmental impact of its production. “Waste management is a huge global issue which rapidly spins out of proportion. Every year 8 million tons of plastic enter the world’s oceans, polluting our communities and destroying natural ecosystems. It is impossible to tackle this issue alone – we all need to join forces and contribute by bringing our effort and expertise. Today the Armenian community has started to actively address the issue of waste recycling, and people expect companies like ours to be leaders and help make a litter-free world possible”, said Christoph Speck, General Manager of Coca-Cola Hellenic Armenia. Apart from the global trends and success stories, results of several pilot projects related to waste separation and recycling, challenges and opportunities present in the Armenian market, as well as implemented internal waste management practices were presented and discussed, allowing participants to form a better view of the current situation and potential prospects. “Waste management, recycling, waste sorting and many other similar issues require systematic solutions through programs developed and implemented consistently by a close cooperation between public and private sectors, as well as NGOs. Today, this issue remains active for Armenia. The proof of it is today’s meeting”, – emphasized in his speech Christ Pilosyan, UMBA Vice President. Among the key note speakers were Elina Markaryan, AmCham First Vice President, and Coca-Cola Hellenic Armenia Public Affairs and Communication Director; Vahan Stepanyan, Coca-Cola Hellenic Armenia Sustainability Manager; Alisa Savadyan, Environmental/Waste management expert; Dmitry Mariyasin, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative; Hovhannes Ghazaryan, UNDP GEF SGP National Coordinator; Armine Tukhikyan, Urban Foundation Program Director. As a follow-up to the meeting, AmCham sent a survey on the issue of waste collecting, sorting, recycling and other similar projects to its Members and the participants of the event. To see the survey, click the link here: ARM, ENG.

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