Rated last year by Newsweek magazine as the world’s greenest carmaker, Toyota’s track record of environmental sustainability is without a doubt one of the best in the world.
The company’s local commitment to the environment is reflected in the many green initiatives it is involved in across sectors. One of these is Esikhumulweni Cooperative Limited in KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal.
In 2013, the two organisations signed a memorandum of understanding, which entails Toyota donating all its waste seat cover material to Esikhumulweni Cooperative Limited to be transformed into all kinds of wearable accessories.
The partnership doesn’t only reflect the company’s ongoing commitment to green initiatives, but is also the pride of TSAM’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Department.
Recently, TSAM and Esikhumulweni solidified their five-year partnership when Toyota’s CSR department presented all its female employees with handbags, manufactured by the cooperative, as part of its Women’s Day celebrations in August.
Established in 2011, Esikhumulweni had initially operated from shipping containers before securing a dilapidated building that they turned into a fully functional structure for their business operations.
Chairperson of the cooperative, Sibongile Sibisi, says: “We are filled with hope and pride for the future success of Esikhumulweni Cooperative Limited. Our mission is to work hard and grow from a small to medium enterprise.”
The partnership creates a good opportunity for Toyota to reduce its monthly landfill waste. “Toyota is proud of the strides Esi-khumulweni has made over the years,” says Jenny Mare, General Manager of Corporate Affairs at TSAM.
Esikhumulweni has manufactured and sell the bags made out of seat cover material to generate income for themselves, as well as create jobs and train people in the community.”