The recycling pilot project is being run in partnership with Nampak who will collect the waste as part of its existing recycling routes and distribution networks and ensure it is recycled.
Justin Smith, Woolworths' good business journey manager says, “Like us, our customers are concerned about the wellbeing of our planet and want to recycle their waste. We want to make it easier for them. For some, dropping recycling waste off at a local service station that they may visit anyway, will be a convenient solution.
“Recycling waste is a fundamental pillar of Woolworths' good business journey, our plan to help our planet, country and communities. Our philosophy has always been to address the concerns of our customers. Reducing and recycling packaging is high on their list of priorities. We believe this innovative initiative will provide a convenient solution to this challenge. In conjunction with the recycling programme we continue to make progress on our own targets to reduce foods and clothing packaging.”
Pierre Roodt, national marketing manager retail, Engen Petroleum says, “With our footprint of conveniently located sites across the country, we can provide South Africans with an easy and convenient solution for their recycling. Our customers can now drop off their recycling either when refuelling or when passing by.
The petroleum industry needs to meet its sustainability and carbon reduction targets. This collaborative project will therefore make a meaningful contribution in encouraging and assisting all South Africans to embrace the concept of recycling. The initiative also demonstrates how large corporate companies can team up and combine resources to protect our environment.”
Nampak says, “Nampak Recycling is very proud to be a partner in this joint project with Woolworths and Engen. We commend them for their commitment in greening our environment and encourage other corporate companies to involve themselves in similar initiatives.”
June Josephs-Langa, CEO of Indalo Yethu, the South African government's environmental campaign, says, “It is the small changes we make today which will have a major impact on the world we have tomorrow. We are excited to endorse this groundbreaking initiative from the private sector and look forward to the national rollout. Working together as South Africans to reduce the volume of waste that goes to landfill through recycling, we can restore the environment, and tackle climate change bin by bin. I encourage others in the private sector to follow this sterling and practical step toward greater sustainability in their own operations.”
Barry Coetzee head of integrated waste management, strategy & policy for the City of Cape Town, says, “Managing our ever growing municipal land fill sites is a challenge we should all be concerned about. We believe this initiative has the potential to make a real difference in the medium to long term.”
