In support of the government's environmental campaigns aiming to create awareness among the public on the importance of environmental protection and preservation, Nestlé has introduced its company-wide Solid Waste Management Programme. The programme seeks to make sound solid waste management a way of life both in the corporate environment and in its employees' homes.
Nestlé employees benefit from training programmes on the importance of and techniques used for solid waste management. As a result of these, waste segregation, recycling and composting practices are implemented in the company's factories and offices.
On all Nestlé work sites, trash bins are color-coded and labeled for systematic waste segregation. Reusable packaging materials are also segregated and systematically collected in the factories. For instance, instead of disposing corrugated carton packaging materials as wastes, the Aurora Factory collects and returns them to the suppliers for reuse.
Furthermore, almost all factories operate a compost facility where biodegradable wastes are processed into compost. The compost is used as soil conditioner for their eco-gardens.
Cagayan de Oro Factory, an example of these environmentally responsible corporate practices
Together with community associations, the Cagayan de Oro Factory successfully launched its Solid Waste Management Pilot Program in Purok 11, section of the Tablon community where the factory operates.
The programme, designed to establish a proper garbage segregation and disposal system, took off with the conduct of a Solid Waste Management (SWM) Orientation training for the community residents and local government officials, followed by a community clean-up drive.
The Green Haven Solid Waste Management Association, composed of 75 households, was formed to implement a garbage disposal system, create a communal eco-garden and eco-center, and sell recyclable materials from the segregated household wastes.
A Learning Center for SWM was established in the community to further disseminate SWM practices. At present, the community has a working garbage disposal system where households effectively segregate wastes. Apart from producing its own organic fertilisers from biodegradable wastes, the community now enjoys a tidy and orderly environment with clean roads and well-maintained canals, free from pests. Neighbouring communities now look up to Purok 11 as a role model for SWM practices.
