Company joins hands with community to celebrate World Cleanup Day
The event, which coincided with World Cleanup Day on September 20, drew participation from local residents, community leaders, and environmental advocates.
Philip Morris South Africa teamed up with local councillors from Ward 32 and Ward 34 to conduct a significant clean-up initiative in Reiger Park and around Cinderella Dam.
The event, which coincided with World Cleanup Day on September 20, drew participation from local residents, community leaders, and environmental advocates.
Philip Morris South Africa’s representative, Themba Mathebula emphasised the company’s commitment to sustainability, saying, “We fully believe we can only achieve sustainability if we embed it in all that we do.
“Today was proof that when we partner together and work collectively, we can make a significant impact on saving our environment.”
During the clean-up, volunteers collected various types of waste, including electronic waste.
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Mathebula highlighted their ongoing journey towards a smoke-free future and noted the importance of community involvement in achieving these goals.
“Most of the places we visited were not in better conditions in terms of cleanliness. But we left them in a better state.
“We chose these areas because they needed our attention.”
Philip Morris South Africa’s factory is located in Boksburg, making this location particularly meaningful for their clean-up efforts.
The company aims to position itself as an active corporate citizen within the community, demonstrating care for local environmental conditions.
Pastor Henry Markus, representing the office of Gauteng Environment MEC Sheila Peters, was present to lend support to the initiative.
He expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “We are glad to be part of this initiative.
“Today is not just about cleaning; it’s also about educating our community on the importance of maintaining cleanliness in our environment.”
Markus further elaborated on the educational aspect of the initiative.
“We want the message to be conveyed that we must clean our areas.
“There are too many dumping sites in our communities, and I am optimistic that we can put an end to this practice.”
Ward 32 Councillor Marius De Vos addressed the underlying issues contributing to littering.
“We are talking about human behavior here. People living close to rubbish are often part of the problem.”
He stressed the need for collective responsibility in maintaining a clean environment.
The event concluded with a strong call to action for continued community involvement in keeping the environment clean.
One participant, Rudy Thockey, stated, “If we want the whole world to be clean, we need to take action and keep it clean.”
This sentiment encapsulates the spirit of World Clean-Up Day and reflects a growing awareness of environmental responsibility among corporations and communities alike.
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