Sri Lanka’s first zero-emission Material Collection and Processing Facility was officially inaugurated under the SWYFT Project, marking a significant milestone in the country’s sustainable waste management efforts.
The initiative is funded by The Coca-Cola Foundation and implemented by Janathakshan, with Neptune Recyclers serving as the recycling partner, in collaboration with Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC.
The Somerset ECO Material Collection and Processing Centre was declared open on March 18 to coincide with World Recycling Day, under the theme “Circular Symbiosis for Waste-to-Resource Value.”
Equipped with baler machines, electric bikes, and electric three-wheelers to support efficient operations, the women-led facility is expected to generate employment opportunities for youth and women within the plantation community.
As the first public–private partnership in waste management within Sri Lanka’s plantation sector, the project aims to strengthen sustainable waste practices through the structured collection, segregation, processing, and recovery of materials, while promoting recycling and advancing a circular economy.
Located near Nanu Oya in the Nuwara Eliya District, the Somerset Estate—operated by Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC, a member of Hayleys Plantations—demonstrates how plantation operations can successfully integrate premium tea production with environmental responsibility and practical sustainability leadership.
Spanning 456.14 hectares, with 324.38 hectares dedicated to tea cultivation, the estate benefits from a strong sustainability edge through its complete reliance on hydropower. In the 2024/2025 period, the estate generated 3,940,449 units of electricity supplied to the national grid, up from 3,425,340 units in 2023/2024—recording a year-on-year increase of 515,109 units.
The inauguration event was attended by the Mayor of Nuwara Eliya, the Chairman of the Pradeshiya Sabha, representatives from Coca-Cola Beverages, Talawakelle Tea Estates, Janathakshan, and Neptune Recyclers, along with members of the local community.