In South Africa, there are so many recycling labels which are confusing for customers, designers and developers. That’s why Woolworths has designed and adopted new labelling on packaging to tell you exactly what materials each of their packs contain and how you can dispose of them. The new labelling started appearing on food packaging this month. The intention is for the … [Read more...]
SA recycling partners with Europe
Excitement is mounting in the local waste management and recycling industries ahead of the colloquium that will take place in partnership with the European Plastics Recycling and Recovery Organisation (EPRO) on the 21st of November, 2013. A 15 man delegation, representing various streams of the European recycling industry, will be visiting South Africa for EPRO’s first-ever … [Read more...]
Innovative printing cuts footprint in half
Green innovation really gives us hope for the future. This week we discovered a nifty new way of printing, which saves you half your ink and toner. An organisation with 1000 workstations use up to 240 000 litres of water during the toner lifecycle of their printers. In the same work environment, Ecofont can save you up to 10 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year. We … [Read more...]
Creative women find solution for paper waste
In September 2010, a warm-hearted, creative woman in Kleinmond, in the Western Cape, had the idea of teaching jobless women to make gift bags from waste paper. With the support of a friend, they set up a workshop and hired women to learn the skills. Of the original group, two showed their commitment and their willingness to work longer and harder than they were paid to do – … [Read more...]
Eco-label recognises earth-friendly manufacturers
An independent eco-label has been introduced, offering internationally competitive recognition for the local manufacturing sector to develop and market environmentally-responsible products. The Eco-Choice Africa (ECA) eco-label provides information and guidance on environmentally responsible products. Not only does this enable manufacturers to achieve external verification … [Read more...]
Who’s the greenest – printed or online newspapers?
The history of the South African English newspaper industry goes back hundreds of years as mining tycoons acquired newspapers through Johannesburg Consolidated Investments, a subsidiary of mining giant Anglo American. Independent Newspapers, South Africa's largest newspaper group, traces its history back to 1889 when Francis Dormer established the Argus Printing Company, … [Read more...]
Daily waste into daily bread
This year the common sense habit of recycling your daily waste needs to become as natural as eating your daily bread - create work, and food, for many. This is a 21st century life skill finally embedding itself into the consciousness of our society in our journey of realigning ourselves with the natural cyclical systems of nature, upon which we depend. In South Africa we … [Read more...]
Sandwiches even more enticing in recycled plastic
Finally we can purchase sandwiches packed in recycled plastic - thumbs up for Woolies! In line with its promise to find more environmentally friendly packaging solutions and reduce its carbon footprint, Woolworths has now become the first major South African retailer to begin using post-consumer recycled plastic in foods packaging. Since the beginning of September, … [Read more...]
PET plastic for soft drinks is number 1
The most common container in the soft drink market today in South Africa is the plastic bottle, or more specifically, the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle. PET is the type of plastic labelled with the #1 polymer identification code on or near the bottom of bottles and containers, and is sometimes referred to as polyester. It's eassy to recognise a PET container - … [Read more...]
Thirsty trees threaten water resources
Environmental pressure group GeaSphere is calling for a halt to the expansion of the industrial timber plantation model in southern Africa, citing the exorbitant water use of the timber species as a primary concern. The impacts on water resources, evident at the mills where the timber is processed to pulp and paper, is also a major issue. At least 6kl of water is used to … [Read more...]
Recycling champions can’t keep up with demand
I love win-win, which is what Oasis is. When I visited I smelled biscuits baking, saw recycling happening in every possible open space, and met lots of happy people, who save 24 000m3 of landfill each year. The people at Oasis are intellectually disabled. I don't know that one would find more meticulous recyclers. Linda, for instance, works with paper: one by one she takes … [Read more...]
Eco paper a reality at last
As concerns about the economic impact of climate change grows, more and more businesses and individuals are getting the environmental message at last! Every action in our lives can stand scrutiny from an environmental perspective. Every aspect of our 'communications' industry can contribute to reversing the trend. A sustainable business practice means using raw materials, … [Read more...]
Plant a seed, grow an idea
Describing South Africa in a nutshell could, in some circles, bring out words like crime, corruption, controversial politics and racial tension. But for the really smart among us, it is so much more - a country of diversity, beauty, creativity and endless opportunities for growth and a bright future. With South Africa as a door to Africa, corporate South Africa has a … [Read more...]
