SOUTH AFRICA – Woolworths, the prominent South African food and clothing retailer, has introduced an in-store denim recycling initiative called the Denim Drop-Off program.
Customers can donate their old denim at designated bins in 20 stores nationwide near the till points of Woolworths’ fashion shops.
These pre-loved denim items will be repurposed through the retailer’s Taking Care of Business (TCB) Remake Program, which transforms donated denim into newly designed products.
“Our Good Business Journey focuses on reducing waste and promoting circularity, and now our customers can contribute by giving their denim a second life,” says Feroz Koor, Woolworths’ group head of sustainability.
As part of the launch, WRewards members will receive a 20% discount on their next RE: Denim purchase with each denim donation.
The TCB Remake Program supports and empowers local seamstresses, helping them establish sustainable micro-manufacturing businesses.
It offers training in business, life, and technical skills, mentorship, and access to materials, enabling seamstresses to create garments and other products.
“We work with 72 seamstresses and plan to expand to 100 by 2025. Many of our seamstresses are the primary breadwinners for their families,” notes Heidi Smith, head of the TCB Remake Program.
Woolworths’ RE: brand focuses on eco-conscious fashion, emphasizing socially equitable and sustainable practices.
The introduction of circularity aligns with its broader commitment to responsible sourcing, environmental technologies, and transparency.
Major locations across Gauteng, the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State, the Eastern Cape, and Mpumalanga are participating stores in the Denim Drop-Off initiative.
eThekwini partners with Coca-Cola and ALPLA to boost recycling efforts
In October last year, eThekwini Municipality launched a waste collection and recycling initiative in partnership with Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa and packaging recycler ALPLA.
The program supports the city’s broader vision of creating sustainable economic opportunities, addressing environmental challenges, and improving its resilience to climate change.
The partnership targeted key areas to enhance the recycling process. First, the separation at source initiative intended to encourage residents to sort recyclables from general waste, significantly reducing waste sent to landfills.
Another focus is the integration of waste pickers into the recycling value chain, which aims to improve their working conditions and acknowledge their essential role in the circular economy.
Additionally, enterprise development efforts support emerging waste collection companies within the municipality, fostering local businesses.
The program also includes education and awareness campaigns to engage communities in recycling efforts.
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