Pursuing Sustainability For the Good of All

In 2012, Woodlands Dairy embarked on a transformative sustainability journey, inspired by the wisdom of Peter Drucker: "You can't manage what you don't measure." Recognizing the importance of understanding where we stood, we initiated our journey by conducting a comprehensive Greenhouse Gas (GHG) baseline assessment. This assessment provided us with a clear starting point, allowing us to gauge our environmental impact and set ambitious goals for improvement. It's from this foundation that our commitment to sustainability has grown, shaping our actions and initiatives ever since.

At Woodlands Dairy, our Sustainability Programme centres around three vital pillars: Environment, Social, and Governance. These pillars are in alignment with the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), serving as our compass to address the most pressing global challenges.

Within each of these pillars, we delve into a range of sub-categories. In the realm of Environment, our focus extends from resource conservation to waste reduction, as we strive to minimize our ecological footprint. On the Social front, we prioritize employee development, community support, and job creation, contributing to the well-being of our region. In the realm of Governance, we uphold integrity and ethical business practices in all our endeavours, ensuring trust and transparency. Our comprehensive approach to sustainability underscores our commitment to creating a positive legacy for future generations.

At Woodlands Dairy, we invite you to join us on this remarkable journey towards a more sustainable, inclusive, and responsible future. Together, we can make a difference that transcends borders and leaves a lasting impact.

Environment

At Woodlands Dairy, our unwavering commitment to sustainability drives us to reduce our environmental footprint and explore innovative solutions continually. Our sustainability journey commenced in 2012 and has since marked significant milestones towards a greener future.

Our accomplishments include the commissioning of two Biomass Boilers, harnessing renewable energy sources for efficient operations. The Resource Recovery Plant stands as a testament to our dedication to waste reduction and resource optimization. Through our Sustainability Programme, we empower farmers to adopt sustainable practices, creating a positive impact on their communities.

In our pursuit of responsible waste management, we've formed strategic alliances with trusted recycling partners. Additionally, we've prioritized eco-friendly packaging by increasing the plant-based content, reducing our reliance on non-renewable resources. This journey towards sustainability is an ongoing endeavour, with our commitment to making a positive environmental impact as strong as ever.

We extend an invitation to you to join us on the path to a more sustainable future. Together, we can contribute to creating a better world.

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Governance

Exemplary Governance and Unwavering Integrity

At Woodlands Dairy, our unwavering commitment to governance and ethical business practices is the very essence of our existence, transcending mere values to become the bedrock of our identity.

As the largest employer in our region, Woodlands Dairy plays a pivotal role in our local economy. Beyond the direct opportunities we provide, our workforce catalyses indirect job creation, nurturing a ripple effect of economic growth that reverberates through our community.

Our dedication extends to our local farmers who supply us with raw milk for our Humansdorp production plant. This partnership is not just about sourcing the highest quality dairy products but also about fortifying local agriculture. It's a symbiotic relationship that directly and indirectly contributes to job creation within our community, fostering a cycle of prosperity.

At the heart of our operations is an unwavering commitment to food safety. Our FSSC 22000 Food Safety System is a testament to our determination to deliver products of impeccable quality, ensuring our customers can place unwavering trust in what we provide.

Woodlands Dairy's ethical compass guides every facet of our operations, reinforcing our commitment to transparency, fairness, and unwavering honesty. This steadfast dedication earns us the trust and respect of our valued stakeholders.

We extend an invitation to you to join us in our relentless pursuit of excellence. At Woodlands Dairy, we stand as a symbol of governance and ethics in action. Together, we can forge a future founded upon trust, integrity, and shared prosperity.

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Our Sustainability Timeline

1995

We started in 1995 with only 2 lines and 15 employees, packing only milk.

2012

Our initial GHG Baseline was set in October 2012

2013

Woodlands Dairy Sustainability Project was launched

2014

Woodlands Dairy Sustainability Project partners with Trace & Save implementing of SWAN System tool.

2015

Woodlands Dairy received our FSSC 22000 Certification in 2015

2015

Our flagship First Choice Dairy Shop is launched in Humandsdorp, South Africa

2016

The Biomass boiler was commissioned, replacing HFO generated steam, reducing our HFO consumption by 85% from 2016 to 2017

2017

Our water recovery plant was commissioned in 2017, with the capacity of 1.5 million liters per day. This reduces our water demand from local municipality by 44% per year.

2017

Our first sustainable Future Booklet is published.

2018

Two ISO standard certifications were achieved, Health & Safety (ISO 45001) and Environmental (ISO 14001).

2019

Farming of the future(FFF) assessments were introduced to farms.

2019

Our new UHT warehouse of 19,942m3 was commissioned with storage of 25,000 pallets.

2019

Farming for the future(FFF) assessments were done on 6 farms.

2020

Our online shop was launched in May 2020, providing consumers with the option of buying most of our UHT products online.

2020

Our new cold storage facility was completed.

2020

Dairy Standard Association(DSA) Farm audits introduced - 14 Farms passed the DSA audits in compliance to Woolworths Farming for the future requirements, including animal welfare.

2020

First Tandem lift axle trucks were procured and phased in with forecasted savings of 14% fuel consumption.

2021

Solar System Commissioned - 2.8MWh solar system was installed.

2022

Woodlands Dairy was awarded as Woolworths Supplier of the Year.

2022

ISO 50001 stage 1 audit was completed and passed, with full certification. Stage 2 audit to be completed during August 2022.

Woodlands Dairy News

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