Nine budding farmers from around the country have made the cut as finalists in the SAB Urban Agriculture / Youth Entrepreneurship Programme. It seeks to have young people identify and invest in hydroponic technology and transform it into thriving farming businesses. Each of the finalists will receive training and investment to grow their farms. In October 2019, Stats … [Read more...]
Recycling plastic presents income opportunities for South Africans
One of the best motivating forces for recycling plastic waste comes from the income opportunities that it creates. This is why South Africa has such a large sector of informal waste pickers – citizens that collect plastic recyclables from landfills and other waste streams and sell them to recycling companies for a profit. Waste management is an important part of society. … [Read more...]
Entrepreneurship initiative fights poverty with e-waste
South Africa’s unemployment rate is one of the highest in the world with our crippling economy being unable to provide adequate formal employment opportunities. In partnership with leading household appliance companies and retailers, one initiative is making a real difference by providing income-generating opportunities for the unemployed. By donating their customer returned … [Read more...]
How to grow your recycling business
More than 80 enthusiastic attendees joined WMRIG (the Waste Minimisation and Recycling Interest Group), Western Cape at this free information-sharing and networking event, held at Philippi Village on Thursday 12 October. Informative and encouraging presentations were given by the Product Responsibility Organisations, PETCO (the PET Plastic Recycling Company), Polyco (the … [Read more...]
Partners for the future of sustainable plastic packaging in SA
Consumers play a crucial part in the closed loop system of sustainable brands. Buying products with recycled content and continuing to reduce, reuse and recycle is integral to the end-of-life solution for any product. For the past 12 years, PETCO has worked closely with the plastics industry, community members, municipalities, NGO’s and entrepreneurs to create a more … [Read more...]
New waste roadmap for Green Economy
“Leaders, visionaries, activists and people are led by intuition and fed by imagination as they redraw the maps and rewrite the rules.” (Adapted from the PETCO 10 year Anniversary Review.) Ten years have passed since PETCO was founded to look after the recycling of PET plastic in South Africa. PETCO is also the Green Times’ most longstanding and loyal partner, who grasped … [Read more...]
Wetlands: Connecting people and planet
What comes to mind when you think of wetlands, swamps, fens, bogs, or marshes? Not long ago most people perceived them to be muddy problem areas that bred mosquitoes. Not understanding their crucial role in nature, wetlands were drained to make way for farmland or development. As our knowledge increases of how wetlands work, they are being recognised as wet wonderlands. … [Read more...]
Play your part in plastic recycling
Ever wondered what happens to your plastic bottles after you’ve discarded them? Most of them are thrown into rubbish bins and end up in one of South Africa’s strained land fill sites. A more viable and environmentally friendly alternative is to deliver them to the plastics recovery stations at municipal drop-off centres, for recovery and recycling. Alternatively, participate … [Read more...]
One year’s PET recycling saves 75,000 tons of carbon emissions
PETCO’s Annual General Meeting took place on Wednesday, 28 August at the SAB World of Beer in Newtown, Johannesburg. The event was well attended by close on 100 stakeholders, shareholders and friends and was an opportunity for the PETCO Board and Management team to report back on the PETCO model and activities that contributed to the increased recovery and recycling of PET … [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...]
Waging war on waste in eBhayi
Earlier this year, PETCO launched 3 projects in the Eastern Cape, which have received support via the provision of equipment for their operations. The projects, namely Enviroman and Green Guardian in Jeffreys Bay and Cannibal Multi Recycling in Port Elizabeth, are all established businesses providing waste management and recycling services but also sustaining the economy … [Read more...]
New science centre to promote conservation
In 2004, stakeholders tabled a wish list with the former Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, who had allocated a substantial amount of funds for the construction of a Botanical Garden and an Environmental Awareness Centre in the Limpopo Province. The first sod of soil was turned back then, and now, years later, after a few stoppages in construction and the … [Read more...]
Chill out, but don’t forget the bottles
Relax. Unwind. Chill out. But don’t forget the bottles. Taking time out in our glorious South African summer is thirsty work. And the most convenient way to quench that thirst is with the water or soft drinks bottled and chilled in store fridges everywhere. But after cracking open the top and drinking the contents, please remember that the bottle your water or soft drink … [Read more...]
