Imagine an intelligent reverse vending machine for depositing your waste, which identifies it for you as recyclable or not. This is now a reality. In line with its recent announcement to achieve zero packaging waste to landfill by 2022, Woolworths has now launched a customer trial of an integrated reverse vending machine in its flagship green store in Claremont. “It might … [Read more...]
The search for SA’s most sustainable restaurant is now on
Entries are now open for the country’s most prestigious accolade for sustainable restaurants. Launched in 2016 as a first for South Africa, the Eat Out Woolworths Sustainability Award acknowledges a restaurant that brings its customers seasonal, local and responsibly produced food. “We launched the award to acknowledge the one restaurant leading the pack in South Africa,” … [Read more...]
Questioning the status quo with Plastic Free July
I don’t normally participate in special days, or months, for the simple reason that we should be long past devoting a day or a month to the issue of human survival on this planet. What could be more important than that to prioritise on a daily basis? I am devoted to maintaining the water, or energy or waste, or whatever focus EVERY day. But I do understand that it serves a … [Read more...]
New partnership aims to improve nutrition for SA children
Stunting or impaired growth remains prevalent amongst the poorest South African children. This can result in increased episodes of illness, poor cognitive function and poor educational attainment. Woolworths has announced a new partnership with UNICEF South Africa to help increase South African children’s access to good nutrition. In line with its aim to support … [Read more...]
SA retailer to lead the way by ditching plastic packaging
A large retailer has announced that it plans to be the first in South Africa to contribute zero packaging waste. In a statement released on Tuesday, Woolworths said it aims to have none of its packaging end up in landfills, which will require the introduction of 100% recyclable materials and a supportive recycling infrastructure. This will include the phasing out of … [Read more...]
How green is your restaurant?
Do you know what the footprint is of the restaurant you support? Launched last year as a first for South Africa, the Eat Out Woolworths Sustainability Award acknowledges a restaurant that brings its customers seasonal, local and responsibly produced food. “We launched the award to acknowledge the inspiring work that is already being done in the hospitality sector, and to … [Read more...]
Are South Africa’s shopping bags really being recycled?
Despite many claims to the contrary, the shopping bags of most SA retailers are not actually being recycled because of one additive. In spite of wording on their plastic shopping bags such as "Recycle me - set a trend" (Woolworths), "Reduce, reuse, recycle" (Pick 'n Pay & Shoprite) and "We love our country, please recycle" (Spar), these bags are not being recycled … [Read more...]
Greenpeace urges Woolworths Australia to dump unsustainable tuna
Woolworths Australia is being urged to dump Greenseas, after a survey found it was the only major canned tuna brand still using fish caught with FADs – a destructive and unsustainable method. In its latest canned tuna shopping guide, environmental group Greenpeace has ranked Greenseas last for failing on key measures, including transparency about its sustainability policies, … [Read more...]
Greenpeace ranks top SA retailers on renewable energy commitment
None of South Africa’s top five retailers (Pick n Pay, Massmart, Spar, Woolworths and Shoprite) are doing particularly well when it comes to their commitment to 100% renewable energy. Yet they have a major role to play in shaping sustainable growth in the energy sector and need to champion South Africa’s transition to 100% renewable energy, according to the latest report … [Read more...]
Environmental heroes recognised at sustainability-themed event
There are remarkable individuals and groups in this country who treasure our environment through innovative service. The 2015 National WESSA Awards have been presented to recognise and honour the outstanding achievements of five individuals and groups. Dr John Hanks, Ntokozo Mbuli, Franz Fuls, the Paul Roux Residents’ Forum and the ROSE Foundation all received awards at a … [Read more...]
5 most shocking things people flush down the toilet
You may think no-one knows what you do in a bathroom behind closed doors, but the men and women working at the Department of Water and Sanitation definitely do. They get to sift through your water waste to remove blockages from our sewers so that water is able to move freely through water treatment facilities back into our rivers and lakes. As tempting as it might be to dump … [Read more...]
SA’s green economy transforms bottom lines
South Africa's fast emerging green economy is driven by factors such as radical cost savings, brand differentiation, sustainable futures, skills attraction and retention. Driving its uptake is business, particularly multinational companies (MNCs), which – through its global nature and the interconnectedness of markets – is harnessing green principles to do good and boost … [Read more...]
Consumer action group tackles supermarket greenwashing
It seems as if the 'world of difference' slogan of a popular retailer increases sales, but does not stand up to scrutiny. The consumer action group, Grass, has Woolworths in its sights again for ‘misleading marketing claims and labeling’ on organic, free-range and GMO-free food products. Woolworths esd criticised before for sale of GMO ‘Frankenfoods’. Grass says … [Read more...]
