SOUTH AFRICA – Woodlands Dairy has reaffirmed its commitment to environmental sustainability by partnering with Imagined Earth to deploy five Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) across South Africa.
The machines, located in Gauteng, Jeffreys Bay, and St Francis Bay, have successfully recycled 15,400 kilograms of waste as of October 3, 2024.
This equates to 300,197 units recycled through 18,256 unique transactions. The initiative encourages the public to play an active role in waste reduction, demonstrating the collective impact of recycling efforts.
The dairy manufacturer has also collaborated with Infinite Industries and Botes Honey Farms to produce innovative beehives made from recycled Tetra Pak materials.
Marisa Maccaferri, marketing executive for Woodlands Dairy and First Choice, highlighted the environmental significance of these partnerships.
“Sustainability is at the heart of what we do,” she said. “Through our collaboration with Infinite Industries and beekeeper Gavin Botes, we are not only upcycling packaging waste but also supporting the critical role of bees in our ecosystem.”
The recycled beehives, crafted from upcycled Poly Alu boards by Infinite Industries, offer a durable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional wooden hives.
These hives maintain consistent internal temperatures, crucial for bee health, while their waterproof nature minimizes maintenance.
Beekeeper Gavin Botes praised the innovation, noting that the hives are resistant to extreme weather and predators like honey badgers.
Infinite Industries’ CEO, Maggie Infante, explained that the project exemplifies how waste materials can be transformed into high-value products.
“We’re working to establish buyback values for these materials, creating new income streams for waste pickers and reducing landfill waste,” she said.
The project also aims to make sustainable beekeeping more accessible. “We’re developing flat-pack beehives for easier distribution,” Infante added.
These hives will soon be available to both commercial and amateur beekeepers, contributing to a more sustainable agricultural ecosystem.
Botes underscored the urgency of protecting bee populations, stating, “A third of the world’s food production depends on pollination by bees.”
The initiative not only supports ecological balance but also enhances honey production efficiency, benefiting farmers and consumers alike.
Maccaferri concluded, “This partnership is a testament to our dedication to sustainability and biodiversity. We’re proud to offer these hives to honey farmers and the public, furthering our mission to protect the environment ‘For the Good of All.’”
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