Sri Lanka's First Hydropowered Recycling Centre Sets New Benchmark in Circular Economy

A pioneering recycling centre in Sri Lanka's plantation sector is making waves as it combines renewable energy, plastic recycling, and community livelihoods to create a new model for the circular economy. The Somerset Eco Material Collection and Processing Centre (MCPC) is powered entirely by hydropower from a nearby small-scale plant on the Nanu Oya River.

The centre, backed by The Coca-Cola Foundation, processes around three metric tonnes of plastic bottles each month and supports over 10 informal waste collectors. It also demonstrates how waste recovery can be linked with clean energy and inclusive economic development.

Mario Perera, Country Head, Sri Lanka and Maldives, The Coca-Cola Company, said the Somerset Eco MCPC shows 'the importance of bringing communities and the waste collection ecosystem together.' Dr. Roshan Rajadurai, Managing Director of Talawakelle Tea Estates, added that the initiative reflects their commitment to renewable energy, circular waste management, and community empowerment.

The centre is part of The Coca-Cola Foundation's SWYFT project, which aims to strengthen women and youth engagement in informal waste management. Under this initiative, five women- and youth-led MCPCs have been established across various districts in Sri Lanka.