Have you ever wondered what happens to all the branded collateral such as gazebos, feather banners, roll-up banners, teardrop banners, and more once they have reached the end of their lifetime or when their message is no longer relevant?
The team at Woodlands Dairy, leaders in sustainability, has devised an ingenious solution.
Says Marisa Maccaferri, Marketing Executive for Woodlands Dairy and First Choice: “As a large company with many different brands, we generate a fair amount of branded collateral. As brand identities change over the years, or the material simply gets old and faded, we can’t use it anymore and it becomes a waste product. We knew we could make something special and useful from the material that had become redundant and engaged a small Jeffreys Bay-based company, Co-Zee, to repurpose it. The result is a win-win for Woodlands Dairy, the environment, and the community.”
Re-using is one of the 4Rs of good waste management, the others being recycling, reducing, and recovering. Woodlands has a strong sustainability ethos and recycling, and reduction of waste is part of their environmental pillar.
“The 4Rs provide a straightforward and simple approach to assist us as consumers in reflecting on the items we purchase, use, and dispose of. This includes considering ways we can decrease our consumption and opportunities to reuse items. Through the additional business we provided Co-Zee, they generate more revenue, can potentially employ more people, in turn support other businesses, and ultimately help the local economy thrive. The existence of small businesses and entrepreneurs in an area leads to the greater community flourishing, increased employment opportunities, and growth,” Maccaferri explains.
According to Ziona van den Heever, owner of Co-Zee, it is a brilliant project to be involved in. “We love how each bag is unique and different. They are really strong and can be used for just about anything, from grocery shopping to books, toys to beach games. We are so grateful for the jobs it creates and the steady income it provides,” she says.
Maccaferri concludes: “Woodlands Dairy acknowledges and supports the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and has incorporated these goals into our Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) pillars. The 17 SDGs serve as a call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and promote peace and prosperity for everyone. As the eleventh Sustainable Development Goal is sustainable cities and communities, we acknowledge our role in achieving this and that supporting local businesses is the right thing to do. Together we can make a big difference, one step at a time.”
