Waste & Recycling
OUR JOURNEY TOWARDS ZERO PACKAGING WASTE TO LANDFILL
In line with our vision of ZERO packaging waste to landfill and for all packaging to be reusable or recyclable by 2022, we’re on a journey to reach this goal without compromising on our quality offer.
Woolworths is on a mission to ensure that all our packaging is recyclable by 2022. To reach this goal, we will be making positive changes:
* using less packaging
* using less material for our packaging, and
* ensuring that all out packaging is recyclable in South Africa.
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 is dedicated to reducing our packaging environmental footprint and developing solutions that are applicable to South Africa. Going forward, we will provide updates and progress in terms of milestones accomplished, how we are tracking and any other news regarding our journey.
Click here to read the media release.
BYE-BYE PLASTIC SHOPPING BAGS
We are on a journey to being plastic shopping bag free. Please help us by bringing your own reusable bag or purchasing one of our locally made, reusable shopping bags in store.
Click here to see if we are removing single-use plastic shopping bags from your local store.
THE 4 Rs:
REMOVE – Removal of packaging and single-use plastic from our stores, for example the removal of single-use plastic shopping bag and plastic straws, etc. or substituting unrecyclable packaging with a more environmentally friendly option.
RECYCLE – Encouraging the recycling of packaging because the packaging item is recyclable and the infrastructure to recycle exists in South Africa.
REUSE – Incorporating packaging that is designed to be used more than once e.g.: returnable glass bottles, 2litre ice cream tub, biscuit tins, glass jars etc.
REDUCE – Reducing the amount of packaging without compromising on providing quality through right or light weighting. Woolworths will only lightweight packaging that currently does not have a recycling solution, or where we lightweight recyclable packaging we will still ensure that it’s recyclable.
You will see these terms used in our in-store messaging, indicating some of the milestones we’ve reached so far. As we continue making progress in finding the right solutions for a more sustainable future, we will continue sharing these successes with you.
DELIVERING ON OUR PROMISES
More and more of our customers are shopping online these days, and in line with our commitment to remove single-use plastic by 2022, we’re relooking the way we package our online orders. In July we’re trying out three different solutions to replace plastic-void packaging – and they tick all the boxes when it comes to recyclability and sustainability.
Milestones:
The changes we made to our packaging have resulted in nearly 1600 tonnes less plastic and cardboard packaging waste being generated. This equates to 89 refuse trucks.
Here are some of our most important milestones we would like to share with you:
REMOVED
SPECIALITY TOMATOES PACKAGING
Our 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. The kraft trays are not only good in diverting waste from landfill, they are breathable and absorb moisture, keeping the tomatoes fresher for longer and adding a full day to the shelf-life.
REDUCED
LONG LIFE HERBS & SPICES PACKAGING
We’ve redesigned most of our long life herbs & spices packaging, saving 364 tonnes of packaging from going to landfill.
REMOVED
TO GO PLASTIC PACKAGING
We’ve replaced part of our TO GO plastic packaging with recyclable paper board, printing directly on the board. Now 5.9 million less labels and 32 tonnes less plastic end up in landfill.
RECYCLE
EARTH FRIENDLY RANGE
The entire range is fully recyclable.
- All the metal springs in our pumps and triggers have been removed, and the triggers are now fully recyclable.
- The entire range contains a minimum of 25% recycled plastic [rPET] content.
RECYCLE
DRAIN MAINTAINER & TILE CLEANER BOTTLES
Our Drain Maintainer and Tile Cleaner 750ml bottles are made from 30% plant-based HDPE and 70% recycled HDPE, and are fully recyclable.
RECYCLE
CARPET UPHOLSTERY CLEANER BOTTLES
Our Carpet Upholstery Cleaner 500ml bottles are made from 100% recycled plastic (rPET) content. They are fully recyclable, including the trigger.
RECYCLE
OVEN & BRAAI GRID CLEANER BOTTLES
Our Oven and Braai Grid Cleaner 500ml bottles are made from 100% recycled plastic (rPET) content. They are fully recyclable, including the trigger.
RECYCLE
LAMINATED FLOOR CLEANER BOTTLES
Our Laminated Floor Cleaner 500ml bottles are made from 100% recycled plastic (rPET) content. They are fully recyclable, including the trigger.
RECYCLE
GLASS & WINDOW CLEANER BOTTLES
Our Glass and Window Cleaner 500ml bottles are made from 100% recycled plastic (rPET) content. They are fully recyclable, including the trigger.
RECYCLE
HANDWASH BOTTLES
Our Handwash 250ml bottles are made from 100% recycled plastic content [rPET]. They are fully recyclable, including the pump.
RECYCLE
FROZEN FISH RANGE
* Our frozen fish range comes in fully recyclable boxes.
* The plastic-coated board is now collected, recycled and converted back into either new packaging or other elements like posters.
IT’S A JOURNEY
We are constantly on the lookout to improve and reduce our packaging.
We’re in the process of removing the plastic sleeve from our men’s formal shirts, replacing it with a bellyband. We’re also in the process of removing the plastic from our duvet covers, replacing it with a self-fabric bag.
Recycling facilities within South Africa
In line with our pledge to send zero waste to landfill by 2022, we're encouraging everyone to be proactive about recycling at home.
Below is a list of recycling facilities in Johannesburg, Kwazulu-Natal, and Cape Town so that you don't need to do the searching yourself.
Simply click on the link and scroll to find the facility nearest to you.
Also, keep an eye on this page for updates on lists for other cities and provinces in South Africa.