Sustainability news

Waste not, want not

Tackling plastic waste might seem like an impossible task. But, by bringing together bright minds and expertise, Prosus Group and Naspers Limited are taking steps to address this massive issue.

Prosus Group has built a portfolio of low carbon businesses. So, we’re well-positioned to look for more areas to reduce our impact, and we have the knowledge, resources, and ability to make positive change happen. In our packaging & waste working group, colleagues from our portfolio companies share issues, ideas, and solutions on the use of plastics and packaging, intending to reduce our impact and build green solutions. 

“Plastics and packaging – in one form or another – are present in many of our businesses, particularly food and etail,” says Gerald Naber, Senior Sustainability Business Partner at Prosus Group. “In fact, the waste it creates is one of the largest material impacts we have as a group – from used food containers to cardboard boxes to single-use cutlery that’s disposed of in our supply chain.” 

Waste from plastic packaging is the second biggest environmental issue the world faces, behind the climate crisis. The use of packaging is deeply integrated with our way of living and has grown tremendously over the years. It offers many benefits in terms of transportation, food safety, and protection Still, responsible disposal and recycling require an efficient system to deal with the enormous volumes of used materials. 

That’s why improvements such as packaging made from new and greener materials are a step in the right direction but don’t necessarily solve the larger issue. And this is what this group is trying to address by connecting collective knowledge and learnings across our portfolio of companies to scale solutions. Expertise from iFood, Swiggy, Delivery Hero, Mr D, eMag, Takealot and Oda are actively participating. 

“The working group includes food delivery, etail and ecommerce companies: each facing unique challenges to their plastic and packaging problems in their respective markets. The idea is that by making the most of our shared knowledge, we’ll all learn and be better positioned to find and implement solutions,” adds Gerald.  

“There are plenty of other sustainability topics to consider for us as a business,” continues Gerald. “And solving those is not just about getting ahead of regulation changes. It’s also about fundamentally future-proofing our businesses. “As a global Group, we’ve got a unique opportunity to work on solutions together. I’m excited to see what impact we can make.”