The Management of Abboso Goldfields Limited (AGL) has disclosed at the celebration of the world Environment Day at Aboso in the Western Region that over the past five years, the mine successfully diverted approximately 871 tonnes of recyclable plastics from landfill sites.
According to mining giants, through proper segregation and collection, this plastic waste has been transferred to authorised recycling facilities, helping to close the loop on plastic use and prevent environmental harm.
“Importantly, these efforts generate multiple benefits. In addition to supporting our sustainability goals, the revenue from the sale of recyclable plastics is channelled to the Gold Fields Foundation to fund vital community development projects,” Desmond Asare, Acting Unit Manager Environment of AGL said.
According to him, the recycling initiative has helped in creating local employment opportunities, which is a testament to how environmental action could also drive social and economic value.
This achievement he added, contributed meaningfully to the company’s broader commitments, including: Greenhouse gas emission reduction, landfill diversion targets and alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly:SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).
Mr. Asare, was speaking at the World Environment Day, organised by AGL in partnership with the Environmental Protection Authourity (EPA) at Huni Valley in the Western Region.
The occasion, which was on the theme “Beat plastic pollution” brought together students, community members from AGL operational area, staff among other individuals.
Mr. Asare continued that to further strengthen waste management framework, AGL had implemented source separation systems across its operations. The development enables employees to segregate waste streams at the point of generation, enhancing recycling efficiency, reducing the risk of environmental contamination, and promoting environmental best practices throughout the organization.
Beyond the fence line, he added that AGL actively engages local communities through public environmental education initiatives.
“We promote sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics such as reusable materials and bio-based packaging and foster awareness around the importance of pollution-free ecosystems. These community partnerships are vital in driving long-term cultural change and promoting environmental stewardship,” he said.
That apart, he mentioned that the mine also recognised that addressing plastic pollution required a multi-sectorial approach.
“ It is not an issue any one organization can solve alone. Collaborative governance, policy support, and stakeholder engagement are essential. AGL remains committed to advocating for progressive regulatory reforms and participating in partnerships and initiatives that advance environmental sustainability and protect public health,” he said.
Frank Dankyi Agyei, Reliving Operations Manager for the company also added that Gold Fields had launched awareness campaigns in surrounding communities to educate residents about the dangers of plastic pollution and to promote local innovations such as reusable shopping bags.
“Today’s programme is a testament to our commitment to engaging with our stakeholders on environmental protection. We believe that empowering the community leads to long-term change,” he said.
He noted that beating plastic pollution is not something that could be achieved in a single day, and that it is not the responsibility of just one person or one organization – it requires consistent action, shared responsibility, as well as social and corporate accountability.
The Acting Regional Director of the EPA, Sophia Ama Otabir, expressed optimism about the partnership’s potential to inspire lasting change.
“This year’s theme reminds us that solving the plastic pollution crisis requires both innovation and responsibility. We must rethink our relationship with plastic and embrace reusable alternatives wherever possible,” she advised.
She commended AGL for their commitment to environmental responsibility and highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships in addressing complex sustainability challenges.
“We encourage everyone to say no to single-use plastics wherever possible. Small actions like carrying reusable bags, bottles, and containers can add up to a big impact,” she concluded.
