Vodacom puts ban on all plastic bags at stores
Retail
12 April 2019
CAPE TOWN – Vodacom announced that it will no longer be using plastic bags at all stores and will instead be giving customers brown paper bags with all their purchases.
Chief officer for Vodacom Group Corporate Affairs Takalani Netshitenzhe said in a statement: "We are aware of the popularity of plastics mainly because plastic is affordable and lasts longer. However, it is this very characteristic that makes plastics persistent pollutants in the environment. While plastics are useful in our daily activities and seem impossible to live without, plastics have a significant impact on environmental pollution, wildlife deaths, human health hazards and other detrimental impacts."
“We have chosen a paper bag because it is less harmful to the environment as compared to plastic. We’ve also removed single-use plastics at our Midrand offices, which include plastic straws and plastic stirrers, amongst others, in our buildings.”
Netshitenzhe added that Vodacom is also looking at innovative ways to help reduce electronic waste in its operations.
“We have chosen a paper bag because it is less harmful to the environment as compared to plastic. We’ve also removed single-use plastics at our Midrand offices, which include plastic straws and plastic stirrers, amongst others, in our buildings.”
Netshitenzhe added that Vodacom is also looking at innovative ways to help reduce electronic waste in its operations.
According to the company, Last year, it reused more than 180 tonnes of network equipment and rejuvenated more than 74 tonnes of batteries.
At its head office, it has reduced 38 tonnes of waste sent to landfill through a baling operation and has also contracted a company that converts food waste from canteens into compost.
In 2018, 34 tonnes of waste from canteens was turned into compost used to fertilise the gardens at the Vodacom Midrand campus.
Written by: Staff Writer.
Guzzle Media.
