The importance of sustainability is being increasingly recognised by consumers and businesses alike. Tapping into this mandate, WeBuyCars has taken significant steps towards promoting eco-friendly practices, and is rolling out a sustainability project across its countrywide network of 15 showrooms. 

John Mills, COO at WeBuyCars, points out that in response to the growing recognition of the importance of environmentally friendly practices and to mitigate the impact resulting from the country’s energy supply issue, the company has made continuous progress in fields such as energy efficiency and water conservation. This allows customers to procure products in the knowledge that the environmental and carbon impact is minimised. 

“We give our customers the opportunity to support a more sustainable future for the sector by choosing used vehicles that embody this commitment,” Mills explains. “We do not just set theoretical targets for environmental performance; we are practical about what we can achieve, because we have been innovating on this front for so long.”

The company has successfully executed various initiatives, including the adoption of LED lighting; installation of flow meters to facilitate the use of rainwater harvesting at all its branches; and the installation of solar panels. These efforts have not only reduced the company's ecological footprint but also demonstrated its commitment to a more sustainable future.

One of those key initiatives is the widespread adoption of LED lighting. This switch has resulted in a substantial reduction in energy consumption, as LED lights require significantly less power compared to conventional lighting fixtures, leading to reduced greenhouse gas emissions while reducing costs.

“The retrofitting of LED lighting is happening consecutively at all existing branches and all new branches from opening. An initial analysis conducted by an expert in the field at our Johannesburg South branch, revealed that while the previous lighting system consumed 99 kilowatts per hour, the new LED lighting solution uses only 39 kilowatts per hour. This staggering difference – when replicated across the entire group - showcases the significant energy savings being ramped up. Despite the initial investment required for the LED transition, we expect to recoup the costs within a mere two years, making it a financially viable and environmentally sound decision,” says Mills.

The implementation of flow meters at its branches promotes water conservation by accurately measuring water consumption, allowing the company to identify and address any inefficiencies promptly, thereby reducing unnecessary wastage. “It not only allows us to eliminate waste, but demonstrates savings to clients and investors – something everyone is keen to see as consciousness of water scarcity increases.

“We have taken measures to ensure continuity of supply during water shortages through the implementation of water backup systems as a business continuity measure - ensuring that crucial facilities, such as restrooms, remain functional even in emergency situations. These backup systems provide an alternative water supply, reducing dependence on municipal water sources and minimising disruptions to daily operations,” he adds.

WeBuyCars has begun the rollout of solar panels across its branches: to date benefiting nine of its fifteen branches. With the largest branch at The Dome in Northriding, Randburg, alone fitted with 431 solar panels, for example, the company is aggressively reducing its reliance on the traditional grid and contributing to cleaner energy sources on-site, reducing its carbon footprint.

“Looking ahead, we plan to quantify the impact of our sustainability efforts, providing concrete figures and measurable results to illustrate the success of these initiatives.”

Education is a key aspect of WeBuyCars’ sustainability drive. It aims to document its commitment to renewable energy, water conservation, and energy efficiency into a comprehensive sustainability document. This will showcase its accomplishments as the basis to engage stakeholders in a meaningful dialogue about the importance of sustainable business practices.

“It is through the availability of data that we can demonstrate the positive impact of our sustainability efforts, and we will appoint independent experts to quantify the impact of our sustainability efforts, providing tangible figures and measurable results to illustrate the success of initiatives – and thereafter to track progress over time, sharing success stories and inspiring others to adopt similar sustainable practice,” he says.