Heineken® and the Greenpop Foundation have joined forces to create a game-changing green zone at Durban’s Sisonke City Farm, transforming it into a sustainable urban sanctuary. This milestone marks Durban’s first Heineken Green Zones (HGZ) project, which focuses on greening under-resourced communities while promoting environmental health and community empowerment. The initiative aligns with Heineken’s global “Brew a Better World” commitment, aiming to create fields “green with grass, not glass.”
Originally a grassroots effort launched during the COVID-19 lockdown, Sisonke City Farm has grown into a flourishing urban farm. With the support of HGZ, it now boasts a nursery, water catchment system, biodiversity gardens, and an amphitheatre for community events. These additions not only enhance food security but also demonstrate the potential of sustainable urban agriculture in empowering local communities.
Heineken’s Mission: Turning Waste into Beauty
At the heart of this project is Heineken’s innovative approach to sustainability. The brand introduced its returnable 650ml STAR bottle to combat single-use glass waste and launched the Waste2Wear campaign, which transforms glass waste into eco-friendly jewellery and homeware. These initiatives highlight the brand’s commitment to creating beauty from waste, while reinforcing its mission to green South Africa’s fields.
“This project at Sisonke City Farm embodies our promise to make fields green with grass, not glass,” said Bhavna Mistry, Heineken® Senior Brand Manager. “By partnering with the local community, we’re building a space that replaces waste with natural beauty while empowering people to create a more resilient future.”
A Model for Sustainable Urban Growth
The Sisonke City Farm project reflects a vision for greener, more inclusive urban spaces. Through active community involvement, job creation, and hands-on ecological training, it serves as a beacon for sustainable development. This collaboration showcases how brands and communities can work together to transform neglected spaces into vibrant hubs of growth and learning.
As Heineken® and the Greenpop Foundation continue to champion urban greening, the Sisonke City Farm green zone stands as a powerful example of what’s possible when innovation meets community spirit. This project is not just about creating green spaces—it’s about building sustainable futures.
