6 minute read
The Tavern Tatler
from Spotong Issue 35
by 3S Media
NEWS FOR THE LIQUOR TRADE As part of its ongoing #ResponsibleTogether campaign aimed at creating awareness and education on the impact of the irresponsible use of alcohol and the effects of harmful behaviour, South African Breweries (SAB), in partnership with the Gauteng Provincial Government, unveiled a series of outdoor murals designed by renowned local illustrator, graphic designer and art director, Kgabo Mametja. The murals will be displayed in areas with high traffic volumes for maximum impact to drum in the message of responsible social behaviour in communities. This is one of many initiatives that are set to raise awareness and educate communities on the harmful use of alcohol. SAB has continued to invest heavily to shift norms and behaviours for the prevention of harmful use of alcohol, through the #ResponsibleTogether campaign. The wall murals will relay impactful messages that address the toxic behaviours associated with the abuse of alcohol, including binge drinking, drunk driving, underage drinking and gender-based violence. According to Kgosi Mogotsi, senior corporate affairs manager at SAB: “Our experience through the national pandemic has taught us the importance of communicating with our communities more effectively, in a way and style which they appreciate and understand. Kgabo personally designed each mural as a symbol of our commitment to partner with government in tackling the abuse of alcohol in our communities. SAB’s 125year heritage is deeply intertwined with the South African landscape, its people and culture – these murals are intended to further portray the deep connection that SAB has with this country.” The murals will be located across the Gauteng metros — the City of Ekurhuleni, the City of Tshwane, the West Rand and the City of Johannesburg. This project would not be possible without the assistance of the Gauteng Provincial Government. “We would like to thank our public sector partners for all of their help. Local government has been instrumental in helping us to secure the rights to display the amazing artworks and spreading the message of protecting our communities and its most vulnerable members from the harmful use of alcohol,” Mokgotsi adds. Raymond Martin, the chief director of the Gauteng Liquor Board, says that public safety remains top of mind for government, as South Africa continues to battle the Covid-19 pandemic. “The harmful use of alcohol is a serious and pervasive issue, and combating it requires a multi-stakeholder response. There is a need for a collective and organised reaction from all relevant actors across government, civil society, and private sector. Regarding this latest campaign with SAB, the chosen locations for the murals are places where this messages will have the highest social impact as well as where responsible behaviour is of the highest importance. We are pleased to have played a role in the #ResponsibleTogether campaign.” Mogotsi says that this is a project that lies very near to SAB’s heart. “Alcoholic beverages like beer are very much a part of South African culture. Indeed, it has been that way for cultures around the world for centuries and we believe that every experience with beer should be a positive one. In addition, it is an important part of our country’s economy, supporting more than 1.1-million livelihoods. However, as members of the alcohol industry, we believe that have a long way to go in improving alcohol consumption patterns and behaviours across the country. We therefore believe that promoting a healthy industry that is characterised by responsible behaviour is incredibly important. SAB has been working to promote a culture of responsible drinking for many years now, and we will continue to find ways to keep driving our message. This is our commitment to a better country and a brighter future,” she added. “Alcoholic beverages like beer are very much a part of South African culture” Kgosi Mogotsi, senior corporate affairs manager at SAB SAB PARTNERS WITH GAUTENG GOVERNMENT TO PROMOTE RESPONSIBLE DRINKING
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CCBSA CONTINUES ROLLOUT OF NEW 2L RETURNABLE PET PLASTIC BOTTLES
Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) continues the roll-out of its 2L returnable polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottle into more regions across South Africa. This follows successful launches in Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Northern Gauteng. The extension includes North West, Heidelberg, the southern parts of Mpumalanga, the East Rand and sections of Gauteng (Soweto, Katlehong, Diepsloot, Tembisa, Kagiso and Carltonville, among others). Returnable PET is part of The Coca-Cola Company’s world without waste vision, which focuses on the entire packaging value chain, from how bottles and cans are designed and made to how they’re collected, recycled and reused later. CCBSA is offering more consumers across South Africa value for money while playing its part in protecting the environment. During September, which is national Clean-up and Recycle Month in South Africa, CCBSA rolled out numerous community cleanups and litter collection campaigns around the country to raise awareness and reduce plastic pollution.
Velaphi Ratshefola, CCBSA managing director
“As a user of packaging we have a responsibility to not only recycle packaging, but also to continue to invest in infrastructure that can help us develop innovative packaging to achieve our world without waste ambitions,” says CCBSA managing director Velaphi Ratshefola. “By offering a returnable PET bottle, we are creating greater value for money, as well as an incentive for consumers to collect packaging, rather than disposing of it into the environment.” The returnable bottles are made of PET plastic and feature a paper label with “returnable” appearing on a green or yellow strip on the front of the bottle. The recommended retail price for the 2L Coca-Cola Original Taste – Less Sugar beverage is R15, which excludes a R9 deposit. Other brands, like Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite and Fanta, are also be available in the new 2L returnable PET plastic bottle at a recommended retail price of R12 excluding the R9 deposit. Once a bottle is returned to CCBSA, it will go on a looped journey to be cleaned to Coca-Cola’s stringent measures and requirements, then refilled and distributed back to retail outlets. When the bottle reaches the end of its lifecycles, after being returned to CCBSA, it will be recycled and turned into another PET plastic bottle. “This initiative strengthens our PET collection efforts through our various partnerships such as our membership in the PET Recycling Company (PETCO) and several buy-back centres we have established in communities around the country,” adds Ratshefola. “Last year, 62% of PET bottles were collected for recycling. Through this new returnable PET packaging and other innovations, we are set to continue improving our collection and recycling rates, until we reach our ambitious targets.” During 2019 more than 92 000 tonnes of PET bottles were collected through the PET Recycling Company (PETCO). These bottles were diverted from landfills in South Africa, saving 612 000m² of landfill space.