Marisa Maccaferri, marketing executive for Woodlands Dairy and First Choice, says, "Sustainability is at the heart of what we do."

"Ensuring the sustainability of the bee population in the Eastern Cape is crucial, and with the expertise of Gavin Botes, we're making significant strides. Partnering with Infinite Industries, which specialises in upcycling packaging material, was an obvious choice," adds Maccaferri. 

"They transform the packaging material from Tetra Pak, commonly used for packaging milk and other liquids, into 14 to 18-millimetre sheeting boards. These sturdy, upcycled sheets are perfect for crafting classic Langstroth beehives, and Botes was eager to experiment," says Maccaferri. 

Maggie Infante, chief executive of Infinite Industries, says, "Andre Adendorff, Woodlands Dairy's sustainability manager, approached us in 2021 with numerous questions about our products and our process for handling Poly Aluminium waste from Tetra Pak packaging."

"Shortly thereafter, CEO of Woodlands Dairy, Lex Gutsche and his team visited our factory, demonstrating their deep commitment to recycling and achieving their sustainability goals," adds Infante. 

According to the partners, this collaboration marks a significant step towards enhancing environmental sustainability and supporting the vital bee population in the Eastern Cape. The upcycled sheeting boards help divert waste from landfills and oceans, reducing the need for virgin materials and promoting a lower carbon footprint.

By utilising The Infinite Board, materials with minimal inherent value are transformed into high-value products, demonstrating the potential of recycled materials as alternative building resources. This process encourages innovative solutions and creates new waste streams for waste pickers, the partners add. 

Infinite Industries says that it is working closely with all Producer Responsibility Organisations to establish the buyback value for these materials. 

In partnership with Botes Honey Farms, the team says that it developed beehives and discovered that bees readily accepted the new material. More importantly, the temperature inside the recycled hives remained consistent with that of traditional wooden hives.

"This is crucial for maintaining healthy swarms," Botes says. "It allows the bees to focus on producing honey rather than regulating their temperature, which positively impacts any beekeeper's bottom line. Additionally, the waterproof nature of the boards eliminates the need for maintenance, unlike timber hives, which require constant upkeep."

Botes says that he migrates his swarms to various flower flows, so he does not use permanently raised stands.

"The strength and durability of the upcycled board make it a suitable alternative to wooden boxes, which have a limited life expectancy due to exposure to extreme weather conditions. The well-being of the swarms and the integration of new products into the natural environment are crucial factors in all decisions regarding new developments," Botes adds.

"We have gradually introduced hive supers (the pantry layers of the hive) made from the upcycled board, and about 20 complete hives are already in production. Older hives have had their 'feet' (low stands that keep them off the ground) replaced with the new board and upcycled lids have been used where necessary. Additionally, I repurpose the cardboard from my milk cartons as fuel for my smoker," says Botes.

Botes says that he is enthusiastic about these recycled boards.

"They'll last forever, and I don't think any honey badgers will be able to break into them," Botes adds. 

Botes says that protecting the declining global honeybee population is urgent.

"A third of the world's food production relies on bees, as every third spoonful of food depends on pollination. Bees protect and maintain ecosystems, support animal and plant species and contribute to genetic diversity and biodiversity. They act as indicators of the state of the environment," adds Botes. 

Infante says, "We're grateful to Woodlands Dairy and Botes Honey Farms for testing The Infinite Board. Our goal was not only to enhance the durability of the beehives but also to produce high-quality honey. We're currently developing a flat-pack design for beehives, but we can also custom-make them to customer specifications."

"By using The Infinite Board, they're contributing to a more sustainable agricultural ecosystem through our Upcycled Poly Alu Beehives. Now, every beekeeper, whether amateur or commercial, can help create a more sustainable future," adds Infante. 

Maccaferri says that it is an honour to work with Infinite Industries and Gavin Botes to ensure the well-being of our environment.

"Bees are vital for ecological balance and biodiversity in nature. Their greatest contribution is the pollination of nearly three-quarters of the plants that produce 90% of the world's food. I'm super excited that these hives will now also be available to other commercial honey farmers as well as the public," concludes Maccaferri. 

For more information, visit www.woodlandsdairy.co.za. You can also follow Woodlands Dairy on Facebook, LinkedIn, or on Instagram. 

*Image courtesy of contributor