Recycling Partners of Jamaica (RPJ) has taken a significant step toward enhancing plastic waste management with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Lifespan Water Company.

This agreement paves the way for the construction of a state-of-the-art plastics redemption centre on a quarter-acre of land generously donated by Lifespan in Portland. The facility, set to open by mid-2025, will serve as a central hub for collecting and processing plastic bottles, encouraging greater community participation in recycling efforts.

Dr Damien King, Executive Chairman of RPJ, highlighted the impact of the new facility as part of RPJ’s mission to foster sustainability and community engagement. “Our goal is to build a comprehensive recycling infrastructure that not only addresses plastic waste but also promotes a culture of environmental responsibility among Jamaicans,” King said.

He noted RPJ’s achievements as a producer-responsible organisation, stating, “It is the producers who have taken responsibility for managing the consequences of the business that we are in. Over the past seven years, we have made tremendous progress, increasing plastic bottle collection from five or six per cent when we started to over 50 per cent. No other country has made so much progress in such a short time.”

Nayana Williams, CEO of Lifespan Company Limited, emphasised the importance of this collaboration. “This is an important occasion for Portland, the environment, and for Lifespan. We are extremely pleased to formalise this partnership with RPJ, which will see the establishment of the redemption centre on our property at no charge. At Lifespan, we are deeply committed to preserving our environment. Every discarded bottle, every piece of trash left on the roadside, and every clogged drain speaks to a common problem in our communities.”

The Portland redemption centre is an integral part of RPJ’s broader strategy to expand its network of recycling facilities islandwide, aiming to boost the national plastic bottle recovery rate to 75% by 2026. Currently, RPJ operates nine centres across seven parishes, making notable strides in reducing plastic waste in Jamaica.

In addition to the facility, RPJ is committed to collaborating with local stakeholders to implement educational programmes that raise awareness about the importance of recycling and proper waste management. These initiatives are designed to empower communities and contribute to Jamaica’s long-term environmental sustainability goals.

The upcoming Portland centre underscores RPJ’s dedication to creating a cleaner, healthier environment for all Jamaicans. Residents are encouraged to participate actively in recycling programmes and use the new facility as a step towards preserving the island’s natural beauty.

Also in attendance were the Deputy Mayor of Portland Municipal Corporation, Rohan Vassel and several other RPJ partners.