Sustainable development demands a constant awareness and respect for the conservation of our environment. Whilst clothing and related retail has a low impact upon the environment, we are well aware that responsible use of limited resources is imperative. There have been no environmental incidents of any significance within the group and no penalties or fines have been imposed by any environmental regulatory authority.
The following measures remain in force:
Our environmental policy is available to all staff via our intranet.
Our distribution centre and head office cardboard and head office waste paper approximates 130 000 kilograms per month. This, in large part, is sold to recyclers and the proceeds utilised for charitable purposes. A portion of the waste cardboard is shredded and utilised as protective packaging. The plastic waste from these sites (previously approximating 100 kilograms per month) has been reduced to minimal quantities, due to the elimination of shrink-wrapping of cartons. Residual plastic waste is still sold to the recycling industry.
Cardboard and other waste at stores continues to be managed by shopping centre disposal processes and the informal sector.
Plastic hangers are recycled; the cleaning and sorting processes are performed by The Workshop and House Horizon in Stellenbosch and Chris Steytler Industries in Bellville, providing employment to their differently-abled employees.
All plastic bags used by the stores are durable and reusable, being at least 40 microns in thickness. In certain divisions, use is also made of recyclable paper packets.
Head office buildings utilise energy management systems and energy-efficient lighting to minimise use of electricity. The air-conditioning plant houses ice tanks that generate ice during off-peak hours, which is used for day-time cooling.
The Eskom Demand Side Management initiative met with unexpected contractual obstacles and the anticipated 18-month project to install electronic control gear and energy-saving lighting in all of our stores remain in abeyance. We will be reviewing our energy-saving strategy in conjunction with our energy services company.
All new and revamped stores are, as a matter of course, fitted with energy-saving lighting equipment.
Water is primarily consumed for personal and hygiene purposes. Regular maintenance ensures that there is minimal wastage.
Electricity and water expenditure is monitored in financial terms each month against budgets and previous year actuals by the trading and service divisions and variances investigated.
Company vehicles are checked and serviced in accordance with the manufacturers’ prescribed intervals. Merchandise transport is managed by outsourced professionals who, by the nature of their operations, ensure that their vehicles perform at optimal efficiency.
All air conditioning systems are maintained by outsourced technicians in terms of a regular maintenance programme. Refrigerants are not discharged into the atmosphere, but recovered and recycled. Only refrigerants that comply with the requirements of the Montreal Protocol are permitted.
Fluorescent tube and general lamp disposal at head offices and distribution centres is controlled by an environmental waste management company. Stores are currently reliant upon the disposal processes of the local municipalities or of the shopping centres in which they are located.
Redundant computers that are not donated, are sent to an established electronic recycling company. The computers are stripped of recyclable materials and the residual, unusable components are disposed of in a manner that is not harmful to the environment.
Used watch batteries from both our jewellery stores and head office watch repair workshop are similarly disposed of in an environmentally-friendly manner.
Via our intranet, staff are encouraged to make use of the environmental disposal service for old cellphone components offered by all MTN franchise dealerships.
The group will not enter into rental agreements where developers have not conducted the required environmental impact assessments.
Suppliers have been issued with supplier agreements for signature, which require their compliance with, inter alia, labour and customs and excise legislation. Regular audits are undertaken at the premises of our merchandise suppliers; recorded deviations from agreed standards must be addressed in order for us to maintain a business relationship.
