ALDI supports a recycling project in Mozambique
In 2019, Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) and the local cotton company SAN-JFS developed a recycling project in Mozambique. This project supports women from local farming communities who operate eco-collection points. Over 72,000 empty pesticide containers were collected and sent for recycling in the first year and benefitted up to 20,000 farmers. With the exclusive support of ALDI, the project is able to continue into a second phase and benefit even more farmers.
About the recycling project
The professional disposal of pesticide containers is especially difficult in rural areas of Mozambique. As part of Cotton made in Africa’s sustainable production principles, farmers are educated about the risks of pesticide use to their own health and the environment. Nevertheless, an environmentally-sound method for disposing of empty containers is usually not available.
In the first phase of the recycling project, 220 “eco-collection points” have been set up, where farmers can deliver empty containers. These stations are operated by women from the cotton farming communities, who work as ‘eco-activists’. They have been trained to handle the canisters safely and with special equipment keep track of the returned containers. In the current phase of the project, an additional number of 275 women are trained as new eco-activists – in total 495. The local cotton company is now able to cover their entire farmer base.
By the end of June 2020, 65,492 waste bottles were further collected. Both the farmers and the women receive a bonus payment for returned containers from the local cotton company. These measures benefit up to 40,000 farmers from surrounding communities.
About Cotton made in Africa (CmiA)
Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) is an internationally recognised standard for sustainably produced cotton from Africa. Established by the Hamburg-based ‘Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF)’ in 2005, the initiative employs trade rather than donations to empower cotton farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa to improve living conditions for themselves and their families while protecting the environment. Since 2016, ALDI has been a partner of Cotton made in Africa and increasingly offers products with its label.
