Primedia Broadcasting has firmly put its weight behind efforts to lessen the impact of its operations on the environment with the launch of PrimePlanet, an internal, staff-oriented green campaign, the broadcaster announced today, World Environment Day.

The PrimePlanet committee comprises representatives from each department across the business and aims to educate staff on pressing green issues as well as implement systems to help minimise the group’s carbon footprint.

“Businesses are increasingly being checked for their ‘green credentials’, much in the same way that they are assessed for their BEE compliance. This will increase going forward, with some corporates only dealing with those companies that have a sound environmental policy in place and that are making inroads to lessening their impact on the environment,” said Primedia Broadcasting CEO, Terry Volkwyn.

“After many months of hard work, we are now in the process of finalising our environmental policy for the group – which includes 94.7 Highveld Stereo, Talk Radio 702, 94.5 Kfm and 567 Cape Talk – against which all future operations will be undertaken. As part of this, we have launched our PrimePlanet volunteer group which will work with staff to educate and inform them of “greener” ways of doing things, both at the office as well as at home,” added Volkwyn.

Historically, Primedia Broadcasting has been a socially-aware and socially-responsible brand, always giving something back to the local community through its various projects, promotions and station initiatives.

A large part of this has been its numerous greening projects, where trees have been donated to previously disadvantaged areas, including parts of Soweto, Ivory Park and Manenberg.

“Our official move towards becoming an environmentally-sound business means that such community-oriented initiatives will increase, especially as we work towards offsetting our carbon footprint,” said Volkwyn.

Although PrimePlanet is an internal, staff campaign, the group will work to help ensure the business reaches its green goals. For example, recycling is the first area that is being tackled, with recycling bins being placed throughout the building, cleaning staff being trained in separating waste for recycling and all station events, including the Discovery 702 Walk the Talk and Pick ‘n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge, adopting recycling policies.