Willowton committed to cleaning Baynespruit

Willowton Group, one of Africa’s leading edible oil processors, has committed to a monthly clean-up of one of South Africa’s most polluted rivers, the Baynespuit River, situated on the company’s doorstep.

The January clean-up began on January 13, and mirrored the clean-up done in December 2021, when Willowton team members pulled everything from vehicle parts, carpets and plastic waste to paper, cardboard and pretty much anything that one would throw into a bin from the waterway.

All waste collected was disposed of responsibly and all recycling opportunities were explored and executed. The third clean-up on February 15 will ensure the river is clear of all refuse, ahead of the annual Duzi Canoe Marathon that starts on February17.

Dr. Abie Khan, Willowton

Group’s quality and food safety manager, who is also involved in the group’s sustainability and environmental initiatives, acknowledged that the river, which originates in Northdale and flows approximately nine kilometres through the Willowton industrial area before reaching its confluence with the Msunduzi River, is classified as one of the most highly polluted rivers in the region and consistently ranked in the top six most polluted rivers in South Africa.

It is a major contributor to the high levels of pollutants, especially the life-threatening E. coli bacteria, that enter the Umgeni water course, and ultimately, the Indian Ocean.

“The Baynespuit is classified as one of the most polluted rivers in the region and is associated with poor ecological health which has significant impact on local communities and the environment. Due to the high pollutant loads introduced into the Umgeni system by the Baynespuit, interventions which would result in even low to moderate improvements in water quality of the Baynespuit are likely to contribute significantly to improvements in the overall water quality of the Umgeni catchment,” said Khan.

Willowton Group is committed to contributing to the clean-up and significant improvement of the Baynespuit River and is challenging local industrialists to become actively involved in this improvement project. “Together our contribution will make a greater impact.”