The initiative, the result of a partnership between Engen, Woolworths and Nampak, began as a pilot project in the Western Cape in October 2009.

“After the trial period in Cape Town we identified other possible areas where the initiative could be rolled out – in Johannesburg, Pretoria and KwaZulu-Natal,” says Dumisani Bengu, retail business manager of Engen sales and marketing.

“Sustainability has always been our focus at Engen. This initiative needed to have longevity, and with the help of our partners, Woolworths and Nampak, we have been able to guarantee the successful realisation of its long-term goals. We are proud to say that we have now rolled out to eleven sites in the Western Cape, thirteen in Gauteng Central, nine in Pretoria and eleven in KwaZulu-Natal.”

The project has to date collected over 350 tons of waste in the Western Cape alone.

“Once again Nampak Recycling is excited to partner with Engen and Woolworths on the recycling awareness campaign. We know the community will embrace it, and we look forward to spreading the recycling message in the Durban area,” says Meshack Mosiya from Nampak.

“Woolworths is committed to helping with more effective waste management in our country,” adds Justine Smith, manager of Woolworths good business journey. “Every small effort counts and we want to offer our customers an opportunity to do their bit. We know that our customers want to protect the environment and we are fully committed to making it as easy and convenient as possible for them to do so.”