At a function at the Boardwalk Hotel in Port Elizabeth, Angelo Swartz, who will take over from Conrad Isaac as the SPAR EC managing director, says they were ready to strengthen their commitment to cleaning up the environment.

There will be a number of incentives in Phase II, including an amount of R250 000, which would be set aside for prizes for bodies that come up with innovative ideas to make a difference.

Since launching its campaign in April 2018, SPAR Eastern Cape has sold 4.3 million fewer plastic bags compared to the corresponding period in 2017.

However, both Isaac and Swartz said they needed to continue their commitment to the project in collaboration with various parties. In outlining their plans, Swartz says it was something they could not do on their own and invited role-players from all walks of life to join them.

Phase II began with a promotion on Saturday, 13 July, where customers at SPAR stores were given a free paper bag for every 10 plastic bags they provide.

"We are going to stay committed to raising public awareness about the situation, not only by driving it through our products but also by telling people why they need to make a difference," says Swartz.

"We are going to challenge society, in general, to come up with initiatives that really affect the community," he adds. "To this effect, a total of R250 000 will be made available for prizes for new ideas that can make a difference."

"We will be calling on corporates, small businesses, schools, tertiary institutions and customers to come up with ideas and to tell us about them. The fund will cover prizes for those members of the community who make the biggest difference. This is what SPAR is all about — our purpose is not only to sell groceries but to also inspire people to do and to be more," says Swartz.

He adds, "In addition, we will continue to work with our suppliers to achieve responsible packaging solutions. It’s not only about the plastic bag but about all the plastic that is used just once."

“We want to encourage everyone to get involved to the point where even if it is our competitors. We can’t do this alone and if we are doing something for the right reasons, it takes the commercial aspect out of it," he says. 

Besides the promotion of 10 plastic bags for a free paper bag, SPAR will be setting up regular promotions with suppliers in which, by buying certain products, customers could qualify for paper bags.

"This campaign is not about what is commercially viable. The SPAR brand is about making a commitment as to what we stand for, and the 'STOP Plastic' campaign is the right thing to do," Swartz concludes. 

For more information, visit www.spar.co.za.