Over the past few years, society has consciously made the shift to be more sustainable and environmentally-friendly, especially when it comes to plastic and the waste it produces. Popular retailer Woolworths is one of the companies trying to lessen their impact, and have recently sent a notice to 121 of its stores to go plastic-free from November 9.
Woolworths plans to have zero waste-to-landfill packaging, and to use only reusable or recyclable packaging by 2022.
The retailer first announced this plan in 2018, and since then has made active moves to ensure it uses less plastic in its packaging and that all packaging is recyclable.
“In our drive to find effective solutions for more sustainable packaging, we’re proud to say that we’ve pioneered several firsts. That’s because we’re constantly working with our suppliers, our technologists, recyclers (collectors, material converters, etc.), producer responsibility organisations and other industry bodies and experts in the field to find the best way forward for us, our customers, our communities and the planet,” Woolworths said.
The retailer plans to make the following changes:
– Packaging in its speciality range of tomatoes now comes in a fully recyclable kraft tray made from 65% recycled paper, and a polypropylene lid. These changes resulted in 20 g less plastic per pack or 77 tonnes less plastic, per year from going to landfill.
– Redesigning most long life herbs & spices packaging, saving 364 tonnes of packaging from going to landfill.
– Replacing part of its to-go plastic packaging with recyclable paper board, printing directly on the board. Now 5.9 million fewer labels and 32 tonnes less plastic end up in a landfill.
– Introducing a fully-recyclable Earth Friendly range, with all products containing a minimum of 25% recycled plastic
– Various home care products that now come in 100% recycled plastic bottles
The next phase of its plan includes steadily weaning its shoppers off single-use plastics from November 9.
It’s Cape stores that will not be using plastic bags include:
- Constantia Emporium (Already in effect)
- Steenberg Village (Already in effect)
- V&A Waterfront (Already in effect)
- Hout Bay (Already in effect)
- Pinelands (Already in effect)
- Blue Route Mall (Already in effect)
- Tyger Valley (Already in effect)
- Canal Walk CT (Already in effect)
- Plettenberg Bay (Already in effect)
- Knysna Mall (Already in effect)
- Cavendish Square (Food Market – Already in effect)
- Paarl Mall (Food Market- Already in effect)
- Table Bay Mall (Food Market – Already in effect)
- Constantia Village
- Waterstone S/west
- Palmyra Road
- Gardens CT
- Park & Shop
- Big Bay
- Fishhoek
- Willowbridge
- Capricorn Square
- Old Bakery
- Cobble Walk
- Kloof Street CT
- The Sanctuary
- Colosseum CT
- Paddocks
- Laborie Centre Paarl
- Okovango Crossing
- Glen Garry
- Parklands
- Soneike
- Laguna Mall
- Foreshore
- Wellington
- Dean Street
- Sunset Beach
- Sir Lowrys Pass
- Franschhoek
- Rondebosch Corp
- Camps Bay
- Simonstown
- Main Rd Kenilworth
- Sitari CT
- Richmond
Picture: Woolworths