The Herald E-Edition

VWSA embraces ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ policy to beat plastic pollution

Herald Reporter

“Reduce, reuse and recycle.”

This is the message the Volkswagen Group SA (VWSA) continues to reiterate in an effort to beat plastic pollution.

Plastic pollution in Nelson Mandela Bay, where the Volkswagen Kariega manufacturing plant is based, has become a huge concern.

“I have noticed the increase in land pollution in most parts of the metro every day when I travel from home to our plant in Kariega,” VWSA production director Ulrich Schwabe said.

“This is extremely worrying, as we know land pollution often ends up in the ocean, causing harm to sea life.

“VWSA is on a mission to change attitudes and influence employees, suppliers and customers to rethink plastic usage and disposal.

“We are striving to reduce plastic waste and we are working with our employees and suppliers on finding solutions to reduce plastic packaging in which our parts are shipped by at least 5% by the end of 2023,” she said.

Since January, VWSA has already reduced plastic packaging by more than nine tonnes.

“We continue to work with suppliers to find alternative packaging and further reduce once off plastic usage without compromising the protection of our parts,” Schwabe said.

Waste separation bins have been placed inside the Kariega plant production areas to allow for separation at source to take place and prevent contamination of waste streams.

“We are rolling out more bins,” Schwabe said.

Similar waste separation bins are placed in the employee car park to encourage employees to bring recyclable waste from home. Common waste streams include plastic, glass, tin and paper.

Schwabe commended the government for the implementation of legislation such as the extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations and carbon tax schemes which require everyone in the value chain to take responsibility for waste disposal.

“It is now up to the public to start thinking of a circular economy and the opportunity it gives to informal waste traders.

“We must stop the habit of dumping and embrace the habit to reduce, recycle as well as reuse,” Schwabe said.

Diverting waste to landfill is one of a number of initiatives which VWSA drives to become a zero impact factory by 2030.

“Decarbonisation is one of our key objectives.

“We are determined to become 100% carbon-neutral by 2030,” Schwabe said.

Over a 10-year period, the company has reduced its energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by almost half.

The water usage and waste reduction declined by 65% and 66%, respectively, while solvent emissions reduced by 31%.

“In total, our environmental impact has reduced by more than 50% since 2010.”

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2023-06-07T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-06-07T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://herald.pressreader.com/article/281724093945923

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