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The Coca-Cola System in Bangladesh in partnership with Kewkradong Bangladesh successfully conducted the 12th annual International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) across the beaches of Saint Martin’s Island, removing Over 1800 kg of marine debris in the process.
As a part of the annual International Coastal Cleanup and Coca-Cola’s global initiative to achieve a ‘World without Waste’ by 2030, The two organisations have teamed up for the ICC for the last 12 consecutive years, read a press release.
More than 450 volunteers participated in the initiative. The event was organised in sync with the 36th annual International Coastal Cleanup® and this year the participants managed to remove more than 1800kgs of marine debris from the shores of St Martin’s.
Most of the marine debris consisted of food wrappers, plastic beverage bottles, plastic bottle caps, plastic bags, plastic utensils, plastic lids etc.
Ta Duy Tung, Managing Director of Coca-Cola Bangladesh said, “Plastic pollution is a problem faced globally and it is a problem we humans created.
“We as an organisation take the issue of plastic pollution very seriously. Among our many plastic waste management initiatives, we conduct this coastal clean-up drive.”
Thanking Kewkradong Bangladesh and the volunteers, he added, “But this is a responsibility we all have to acknowledge and anyone visiting these areas shouldn’t pollute natural beauties.
“I sincerely hope, through this initiative, people will be more aware, and we will be able to achieve a world without waste.”
Kewkradong Bangladesh is the country coordinator of Ocean Conservancy, an international non-profit organisation working to protect the ocean.
Muntasir Mamun, Country Co-coordinator of Ocean Conservancy said, “Thousands of tourists visit Saint Martin’s Island every year. It’s all of our responsibility to keep it clean and preserve this natural beauty.
“With the help of Coca-Cola, we have been driving this initiative for the past 12 years but I urge everyone to take steps from their own places and keep this beautiful island clean for the future generation.”
Only working together can help us attain a cleaner and more habitable world for everyone.”
Md Mojibor Rahman, Chairman, Saint Martin’s Union Parishad said, “Saint Martin’s is one of the major tourist attractions of the country. This causes an excessive amount of waste around the island.
“The government is taking multiple initiatives to mitigate this problem but if we want to make any significant impact, the private sector’s involvement meant is very much necessary. I appreciate Coca-Cola and Kewkradong Bangladesh for this praiseworthy initiative.”
Coca-Cola has been supporting the initiative of International Coastal Cleanup in Bangladesh since 2011. Over the past 12 years of this initiative, more than 5,500 volunteers collected more than 15,450 kilograms of marine debris.
Through this partnership, Coca-Cola is working to clean and free oceans from pollution across the globe.
Additionally, the company is engaging in multiple other initiatives to help the government tackle plastic pollution. Recently, the Coca-Cola Foundation provided funds to SR Asia & CordAid Bangladesh for two separate projects to reduce plastic pollution in Dhaka.
The Coca-Cola system in Bangladesh and The Coca-Cola Foundation has been playing a significant role in supporting Bangladesh to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations.
