Today saw the iconic DP World Wanderers Stadium join forces with Polyco. Already onboard is Kera Kreate, and together the trio aims to eradicate waste via a full scale recycling plan.
The stadium is widely acclaimed as an iconic venue. The characteristic bullring is the place to be in Jozi and, driven by excellence on the field and off it, strives to top the rankings in all their efforts spanning the entire eco-system. The collaboration with Polyco has come at a great time, affording the stadium to fully maximize the waste generated by the valued crowds attending matches and events so says Stadium Manager Asif Khan;
“We’ve formulated a comprehensive recycling project by having a full recycling plan within the stadium with our GO- GREEN awareness campaign which is implemented by having dedicated waste bins around the stadium depicting each recyclable item. In addition, we have a compactable and non-compactable waste management plan. These projects are part of a long list of progressive environmental steps taken to ensure that the DP World Wanderers Stadium has a Green footprint in our country.”
Businesses operating within the stadium as well as fans can drop off their plastic waste in exchange for instant vouchers which they can either withdraw as cash or spend at a number of merchants including Shoprite, Checkers, uSave, Pick ‘n Pay, Clicks or Dischem stores.
To date, the Packa-Ching programme has paid out R20 million to community members and collected 20 million kilogrammes of plastic waste, helping to turn discarded plastic into a resource that can be reused.
“Polyco is thrilled to partner with the DP World Wanderers Stadium and Kera Kreate as part of its mission to go green, reinforcing our shared commitment to eradicating plastic waste,” says Patricia Pillay, CEO of Polyco. “This partnership forms part of our Packa-Ching programme, which brings recycling facilities to areas where these services are not available. Kera Kreate, supported by our enterprise development programme, will manage the recycling from the DP World Wanderers Stadium and a Packa-Ching buy-back centre will be established. By recognising the economic value of plastic, we’re not only reducing environmental impact but actively driving the circular recycling economy, where materials are kept in use for as long as possible. By rolling out recycling bins and other key recycling infrastructure at the stadium, we are encouraging recycling and promoting environmental awareness among the stadium's visitors and surrounding communities.”
Already underway, the Polyco partnership promises tremendous things not only for the Lions family and communities in which we serve, but for the country and indeed the world at large. It is a practical demonstration of how businesses, enterprise development, and sports venues can work together to create a more sustainable future.