courtesy of: The Morning News
by Rosalie Klein
Three companies under the umbrella of local Meta Corporation are pooling their resources to raise environmental awareness this coming Earth Day, Sunday, April 22. Executives from Starbucks, Eco-Tech waste management and Aruba’s national brewery, Balashi/Tropical Bottling which produces and distributes Coca Cola products, have joined together to offer great incentives for islanders to properly save and sort their refuse, then turn it in during a grand Earth Day celebration at Renaissance Marketplace from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Eco-Tech representative Chaim Chirino displayed the wide variety of materials which will be accepted as recyclable: plastic bottles, aluminum beverage cans, tinned food cans, old newspapers and magazines can all be processed, thus reducing Aruba’s waste and carbon footprints, as room is made at the public landfill by burning accumulated waste. Old concrete blocks can also be recycled at the ATCO plant.
Gareth Koolman of Balashi/Tropical Bottling reminds islanders that Balashi and Balashi Chill beer bottles are deposit bottles, and they should not fail to return them to centers in Oranjestad and San Nicolas, along with the plastic cases, for credit towards their next purchase. To make it more convenient for loyal customers, seven supermarkets on the island will now exchange bottles and cases, among them Three Colors in Oranjestad and New Food in San Nicolas.
Eco-Tech maintains a modern recycling plant where waste is sorted and packaged to be sent off to factories where it will be recycled. During the gala Earth Day celebration at the Renaissance Marketplace there will be popular bands, activities of the kinds, and information regarding how to sort waste for recycling along with the introduction of their new Mobil Recovery Facility, (MRF.) Those attending the mini-workshops will receive some useful logo gear and gadgets.
Prizes will be awarded in three categories for those that do the best job: Balashi/Tropical will award a prize for the most quantity of bottles and cases turned in for credit as well as worth the most money and Eco-Tech will award a prize for the heaviest load of refuse. Grand prize winner will receive the use of a waste container for a weekend to clean out their yard and house.
Starbucks will also be awarding gift certificates and logo gear for those participating in the clean up as part of their international Month of Services program. Starbucks’ managers Magali of the Paseo Herencia outlet and Tineka from Renaissance Mall also took the opportunity to introduce the new “Blond Roast” line of light coffee, which is making its debut on Aruba.
International Earth Day is a time to enjoy the natural bounties of our planet and contemplate how we can preserve and protect them; Meta Corp invites all to get into the spirit of Save the Earth by doing their part, which can earn them tangible rewards for generations to come.
