Green Ambassador, Dereck Mpofu yesterday took Deputy Minister of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment, Mathius Tongofa on a tour of Plastics Incorporated (PI), a company dealing with litter and putting monetary value to it to preserve the environment.

“My main thrust is to remove litter from the streets but if people can make money from it, it’s an advantage,” said Mpofu.

Mpofu, who uses his music to advocate for a clean environment, is now working with the government and corporates. “Anything that removes litter from the streets I am going to support,” he said

PI Managing Director, Mary Wazara was also on the tour and provided information about her company. She emphasised that they are not a charity organisation but seek to empower the community.

As an effort to promote environmental preservation, support local indigenous companies and empower the youth, Minister Tongofa promised to mobilise funds for youth who form themselves into groups to collect waste for recycling.

“We believe that the youth is the bridge between the present and the future generation, they have to understand issues about the environment and get empowered,” said Tongofa.

“The reason I came is to see what indigenous companies can do for us. We have to support them so that they can even export their products to the northern countries and contribute to the GDP,” he said.

Tongofa promised to gather youth in various areas and educate them on how they can earn a living through collecting waste for recycling with links to PI.

Plastic Incorporated is a recycling and manufacturing company. It works for the community by recycling PET bottles and waste plastic into bin liners, black sheeting, refuse bags, carrier bags, dam lining and planting pockets. Its business involves the National Recycling Initiative brought to the community by a partnership that includes Environment Africa, The Recycling Association of Zimbabwe and The Retail Association of Zimbabwe.