BIC, a global leader in stationery, lighters, and shavers, has announced that its Johannesburg manufacturing plant now operates on 100% green renewable electricity. This achievement, reached four years ahead of schedule, marks a significant milestone as the first BIC factory in Africa to make this transition.
This initiative is part of BIC’s broader commitment to reducing its environmental footprint and carbon emissions across its operations, products, and packaging by 2025. By utilizing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), BIC ensures that the energy consumed at its Johannesburg facility is sourced directly from renewable providers.
The shift to 100% green electricity in the South African manufacturing plant aligns with BIC’s wider business strategy and market needs. Sustainability has been a core focus of BIC’s operations for the past 15 years, and the company is proud of the progress made so far while recognizing that more efforts are needed. This latest achievement in South Africa is a testament to BIC’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.
In the broader context of sustainability efforts in South Africa, both public and private sector companies are supporting government initiatives through their carbon-neutral strategies. BIC has been a pioneer in the private sector, achieving the use of 100% green electricity in its manufacturing plant ahead of the commitments made for 2030 and 2050. It is important to distinguish between carbon neutrality, which involves balancing carbon emissions with offsets such as tree-planting, and the procurement of 100% renewable energy.
Globally, BIC has committed to using 80% renewable electricity by 2025, with an updated target of 100%. The progress in South Africa significantly boosts the company’s efforts towards this ambitious goal.
