PLASTIC RECYLING PLANT FOR ELMINA (BACK PAGE)

Story: Joe Okyere, Elmina

A 1.3-million euro plastic waste recycling plant, Cyclus Elmina Recycling Factory, located at Aburansa in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) District in the Central Region would start operations before the end of the year.
The factory, which will have the capacity to process 500 kilogrammes of plastic waste per hour, will produce plastic granules from plastic bottles and water sachets for the local market and export.
Equipment for the factory is expected in the country by June, this year and would give direct employment to about 60 people while it would indirectly employ over 3000 agents who would collect and buy raw materials.
At the sod-cutting ceremony, the Municipal Chief Executive of the KEEA, Mr George Frank Asmah, said the factory was the product of a collaboration between the KEEA and the Gouda Municipality and Cyclus both of the Netherlands, which have twin-sister relations with the district.
Mr Asmah said to sustain the operations of the factory, the Gouda Municipality had made available sufficient waste bins for the collection of the raw materials and that some of the bins had been donated to some assemblies to feed the factory with their waste.
He said Aburansa was selected to house the factory due to its strategic location and proximity to Takoradi.
Mr Asmah said the KEEA Municipality would also acquire lands from the other traditional areas to serve as land banks for easy access by investors to relocate to the municipality.
The Managing Director of the Cyclus Elmina Recycling Factory, Mr Nico Mensing, said waste could be used to generate wealth and employment and called on the people to take advantage of the project to improve their living standards.
Mr Mensing expressed his company’s interest to look for an investor to build a plant to process citrus and other fruits in the region.
At the same ceremony, the Special Assistant to the Central Regional Minister, Mr Keneth Kingsley Nunoo, on behalf of Nana Ato Arthur and the Elmina Cyclus Recycling Factory, presented 10 computers to the Aburansa School to enhance the children’s study of information communication technology.
The Omanhene of the Komenda Traditional Area, Nana Kodwo Kru II, commended Cyclus Netherlands for siting the plant at Aburansa to create employment for the people in the area.
For his part, the Chief of Aburansa and the Nifahene of the Komenda Traditional Area, Nana Kwamina Annobil II, promised to release land for the assembly, the company and investors to open up the area.