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Willard Batteries hosts beach clean-ups

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Willard Batteries, the manufacturer of automotive batteries, recently hosted the first of numerous beach clean-ups in partnership with environmental organisation, The Beach Co-op. The purpose of these litter collection campaigns is to preserve South Africa’s beaches and remove excess waste from marine environments.The beach clean-ups form part of Willard Batteries’ ‘Big Blue’ limited edition battery campaign, which will see the business hosting beach clean-ups in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape. These community events will run from September to December 2019 in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.The Willard blue battery was launched earlier in the year to encourage the recycling of plastic waste and raise awareness of pollution in the ocean. A portion of the profits from each blue battery sale is donated to marine wildlife protection and conservation initiatives. Willard Batteries so uses some of the income generated from sales to fund the beach clean-ups.

Other limited edition batteries made for certain campaigns

The blue battery is not the first limited edition product launched by Willard Batteries. Back in 2013, the company launched its first special product - the pink battery, which raised awareness and money for breast cancer initiatives in South Africa. Following the pink battery, the company launched a camouflaged battery in 2015. This product focused on anti-poaching campaigns and rhino protection initiatives. Then, in 2017, Willard launched a red battery. Proceeds from the sale of these products were donated to blood drives and life-saving initiatives hosted by the South African National Blood Service.

Willard Batteries contributes to environmental protection

The company has always aimed to recycle its products where possible. Willard Batteries contributes to environmental protection by recycling scrap lead-acid automotive batteries. The batteries are manufactured by AutoX and sold under the Willard Batteries brand. AutoX sales and marketing executive, Corne Strydom, says that 98% of their battery products are recyclable. Even the acid from the batteries is reused; it is chemically converted into fertiliser for agricultural use. “Highlighting the importance of collecting and recycling the plastic waste plaguing our oceans and beaches is a logical extension of our recycling practice,” Strydom says. This is the purpose of the blue battery.AutoX manufactures around 2-million batteries a year at its facility in Port Elizabeth. The company was established in 1954. The batteries are then distributed to over 3000 locations in South Africa, Namibia and the United Kingdom. The company aims to continue these limited edition battery initiatives into the future, raising funds and awareness at the same time.___Averda is a leading waste management provider with over 50 years of experience across three continents. Through growth, transformation and engagement, we strive to find new ways of managing waste while protecting the community and environment. ___By pairing international expertise with local insights, we have secured our position as one of South Africa’s most respected providers of waste management and industrial cleaning services. We also operate in the recycling, pipe inspection, CCTV, infrastructure inspection, hydro-demolition, high-pressure water jetting and catalyst handling industries. ___Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for the best tips on recycling and the latest industry news. See our Instagram and YouTube channels for more insights into environmental affairs and our work with local communities.