WoolWorths holdings limited 2013 good BUsiness JoUrneY report

Environment
CASE STUDY: GREENPAK
Greenpak farms are based in the Bothaville area in the
Free State, close to the banks of the Vaal River. They have
been one of the most impressive suppliers applying our
Farming for the Future programme and have seen some
substantial water savings in particular, while simultaneously
increasing their amount of carrots delivered to Woolworths
over the last 14 months (see graph illustration below).
amount of carrots delivered to woolworths
over the last 14 months
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Tons delivered
to Woolworths
Average use of
water per day m 3
Water management measures implemented include:
• Electronic measurement of water used in pack house
• Use of carrot shaker to loosen soil particles before washing
• Improved cleaning procedures (low water flow foaming
system instead of hoses)
• Staff training to avoid spillages and to limit water loss
during cleaning processes
• Improved understanding of legal volume requirements
for wastewater end-use
Reasons for water reduction on Greenpak fields include:
• Improved measurement of water use efficiency
• More accurate interpretation of water measurements
• Mitigation plan in place to accommodate extreme weather
patterns
• Only keeping the root zone of the carrots wet
• Balancing fertiliser applications with water applications
• Identifying of which type of soil suits the crops done on a
more scientific basis
• Better variety selection (winter vs. summer)
• Managing planting density to fit in with Woolworths’
specifications
Greenpak implemented simple water treatment principles that
have resulted in legal compliance. Step one has been selecting
beneficial and sustainable end-use of wastewater (irrigation
of pastures) and knowing their legal requirements. In the
packhouse they are:
• Using only environmentally friendly cleaning agents
and disinfectants:
– Phasing out chemicals containing sodium (Na)
– Phasing out acids that have been increasing Chemical
Oxygen Demand (COD)
– Avoiding solids entering wastewater stream
• Treating the wastewater by:
– Screening out coarse solids
– Settling out fine solids
– Applying aeration and sufficient containment.
The latest wastewater chemical data indicates:
parameter
Before
treatment
After
treatment
Legally
required
Chemical oxygen demand (COD): mg/kg 33 500 626 5 000
pH 4.5 6.6 6 – 9
Speaking for Greenpak, Toks Liebenberg said that Farming for the Future has taught them to measure and interpret the results
in a scientific way. Farming for the Future has also taught them to approach their farming in a holistic manner by for example
recognising that irrigation water does have nutrients, and must be taken into consideration in their fertiliser program.
WHL 66 / 2013 GOOD BUSINESS JOURNEY