Last year we turned 22 years old as a family business. And maybe, yes, we are a little older and wiser, but we still have a spring in our step, especially when it comes to tackling issues which concern conservation and the environment.
Plastic use and its abuse is one of the main concerns of this century but it is one that collectively as manufacturers, we could solve if countries and companies began to work together to make the right decisions and force change quickly. At Walters we have always been proud of the work we have done to support conservation and the people in our community – so the fact that we use 20 tons of plastic in packaging each year does not sit well with us.
We know we cannot tackle the whole problem, but we have decided to focus on the one area where we knew we could make an immediate difference. Non-recyclable plastic is one of the largest contributors to litter and landfills so if waste plastic is given a worth and can be turned into something that has value, the plastic of the future will not be sent to landfills.
Ngenzeni Dlamini is one of around 317 Waste-preneurs in the WILDTRUST network changing the face of her community by collecting waste in and around her homestead daily. The Green Brick is a uniquely South African innovation that upcycles a mix of sand, glass and previously unrecyclable multi-layer post-consumer waste. Alvina Zondi is a waste-preneur from Sweetwaters. This inspirational women collects waste in her community and barters it with the WILDTRUST for livelihood support items or cash.
The plastic neutral concept - for every kg of plastic we bring in we pay for a kg of non-recyclable plastic to be upcycled.
Wildlands, in partnership with USE-IT, are researching ways to add value to non-recyclable plastic. Their latest innovation is "the Green Brick", a machine that heats and blends non-recyclable plastic and glass, to mould it into bricks three times harder than traditional cement bricks. To help make this project work financially, Walters has become the first company to become Plastic Neutral in South Africa by paying Wildlands R3 for every KG of plastic it brings into the factory. This called Extanded Producer Responsibility (EPR) and is used to finance one KG of non-recyclable plastic to be upcycled while offsetting the producer's plastic usage. it also helps ensure that the bricks can be sold at a competitive price commercially.
The BIG Plan - all manufacturers take responsibly for the plastic they use, help fund Waste Innovation Centres, create a value for plastic litter, incentivise "wastepreneurs" to collect... no more litter.
If more manufacturers follor our footsteps and become Plastic Neutral, the project will soon roll out to all strategic areas where litter is a major concern and unemployment is high. If every producer was encouraged (or forced by legislation) to pay an EPR fee for every KG of plastic they send out - 100's of micro business will blossom, 1000's of jobs will be created and plastic litter will soon be a thing of the past.
Share the good news, join the movement and help us make this the beginning of an exciting success story.
For the past decade, Walters has been working to create sustainable beekeeping partnerships with African beekeepers and farmers, to ensure that the bees making our honey live happy lives and that the communities that care for them benefit from this valuable African resource. Walters supports local beekeepers in the picturesque Northern KZN Rift Valley, practicing ethical beekeeping practices and using hives donated by Walters. Our Zambian honey originates from the sustainably harvested beekeeping project in the Miombo Woodland. This bee project follows modern beekeeping practices, which protects against the destruction of bees and deforestation. Seasoned apiarist, Matt Walker, runs the Miombo Woodland project, where he educates trainee beekeepers in environmentally friendly, sustainable beekeeping practices.
Miombo woodland Multi Flora, Single Origin Honey - Zambia This beautiful rich, dark honey originates from the Miombo Woodlands of Zambia. Bees forage for pollen from the many woodland flora species found in this protected area, to create this warm-toned botanical honey. Expect to experience a rich floral signature honey taste, with slight citrus after notes.
Miombo woodland julbernardia paniculata, single origin, single source honey - Zambia This pale golden honey has a mild floral signature taste, with strong aniseed after notes. This honey is brought to you in its natural state (with all the goodness from the hive). Miombo Woodland single source honey granulates readily to create a creamy, fudge-like texture at room temperature. Stand in warm water to return to its fluid form.
Julbernardia paniculata - Macadamia Honey This limited batch, bee-friendly Zambian honey has botanical and strong citrus notes. It granulates fairly quickly. Harvested in May only.
Brachystegia - Zambian Honey This linited batch, Brachystegia bee friendly honey is delightfully rich, with light citrus notes and a hint of mint and blackberries. It is harvested in October only.
Macadamia's
Two years ago, we constructed our own bespoke nut cracking facility on the Walters farm, to secure the finest nuts for our nougat. Our relationships with our partnering farmers have been so successful that we are now able to offer high quality nuts, surplus to our own needs, to other confectionery manufacturers for local and export markets.
Quality Assurance Although our facility is small, we make use of the latest technology and methods to ensure the finest quality product. This process includes colour sorters, optimal drying temperatures to protect the delicate oils and flavour, and onsite chemical and microbiological testing. Once the kernels have passed our stringent testing and sorting process they are flushed with gas and vacuum packed for optimal shelf-life and freshness. Every delivery is issued with detailed Certificates of Analysis and comes with our own Personal Quality Assurance.
Our Commitment Here at Walters Crafted Confectionery, we are not only concerned with the quality of the ingredients that go into our confectionery, we are committed to ensuring the environmental sustainability of our company, the welfare of our people and the support of our local South African farmers. Our bespoke facility means we can help farmers get the best overall return for their crop, whilst giving our company access to the best quality nuts, at optimal prices.
Ngenzeni Dlamini is one of around 317 Waste-preneurs in the WILDTRUST network changing the face of her community by collecting waste in and around her homestead daily. 
The Green Brick is a uniquely South African innovation that upcycles a mix of sand, glass and previously unrecyclable multi-layer post-consumer waste. 
Alvina Zondi is a waste-preneur from Sweetwaters. This inspirational women collects waste in her community and barters it with the WILDTRUST for livelihood support items or cash.
