A novel approach to eco-friendly service delivery in the community of Mapleton is encouraging recycling, growing entrepreneurs and providing a lifeline for many. PETCO have been instrumental in establishing and contributing to the long term viability of the Phumula Buy-Back Centre in Mapleton, Gauteng. The Buy-Back Centre, which is combined with a Coca-Cola Southern Africa … [Read more...]
Africa’s first Bottle-2-Bottle plastic recycling plant opens its doors
The first Bottle-2-Bottle recycling plant in Africa was officially opened by Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa in Wadeville, Johannesburg, with an investment of R75 million and the capability to produce resin that will be suitable for the carbonated drink sector. She was joined at the opening ceremony by notable guests from government and the PET industry including … [Read more...]
Building a better future for under privileged schools
Cool upcycling projects brought home the value of waste in creative ways at Redhill school during a collaboration with Green Beings over 3 days. The initial workshop was supposed to be held at the Cosmo City schools, however due to the recent unrest in Cosmo City the workshops were conducted at Redhill school. Grade 10 learners built chairs from old tyres and 38 vegetable … [Read more...]
Hospitals to recycle high performance PVC
Good news is that the rising costs of healthcare waste management in South Africa and the rest of the world are forcing hospitals and clinics to rethink the way in which they deal with their healthcare waste. The Southern African Vinyls Association (SAVA), under the leadership of its Chief Executive Officer, Delanie Bezuidenhout, is pushing for a paradigm shift by … [Read more...]
Clean-up crews help keep Two Oceans world’s most beautiful race
All the waste from the recent Two Oceans marathon was quickly collected, sorted into categories and sent for recycling. The majority of the waste (90 %) was plastic waste (mainly Low Density Polyethylene) used for the energy drink sachets, 8 % was paper (primarily cardboard), and 2 % was metal. 2015 is the 9th year that the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon has received … [Read more...]
Get recycling to make a difference in your community
Do you love where you live? Is your environment clean, healthy and free of litter? Are you helping to improve the appearance of your community? Even in highly built-up and poor areas, each of us can make a difference as individual. Every little bit helps – each of us can make a contribution to looking after the environment by recycling packaging materials and other … [Read more...]
Local rangers to bring nature conservation into Cosmo City
A team of ten local residents are being trained to bring nature conservation to a neglected conservation area in Cosmo City. A new inspiring project funded by the EPWP (Expanded Public Works Program), facilitated by Joburg City Parks and implemented by Green Beings NPO has started in Cosmo City. This project will run from February - June 2015. Green Beings has employed 10 … [Read more...]
Green entrepreneurs make magic with trees and waste
Improving your life whilst greening your environment is a match made in heaven. The Acornhoek community in rural Mpumalanga show us how it's done. The northeast of South Africa is home to some of its best-visited tourist attractions. On the one side is Kruger National Park and the upmarket, private game lodges that surround it. On the other there’s God’s Window and the … [Read more...]
Six lucky recyclers will receive loans to fund their projects
Recycling initiatives are often in need of seed support, whilst volumes escalate and the business becomes viable. This is why POLYCO, the Polyolefin Recycling Company, is helping 6 operations with supportive loans. They have released the names of the six successful applicants who will be receiving total investment loans of R7 million over the next 6 months to fund their … [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...]
Turning rubbish collectors into micro-entrepreneurs
In South Africa, 98 million tonnes of waste is still sent to landfill each year. Recycling initiatives remain limited and progress is slow. If increased, recycling enterprise could create many jobs for the 25% of the population that remain unemployed. KZN businesswoman and founder of Supa Mama, Thina Maziya, is tackling both of these problems one refuse bag at a time. Here’s … [Read more...]
How ‘eco-reindeer’ handle their waste
The festive season is just around the corner and consumers are racing to supermarkets to stock up on delicious foods and goodies just in time for this unifying time of year. The Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA) shares a few guidelines on how to be an ‘eco-reindeer’ by setting up waste separation facilities over the holidays. “There are many benefits … [Read more...]
Collective effort prevents environmental disaster
Swift collective action by members of the South African plastics industry and local environmental officials prevented what could have been an environmental disaster earlier this week, after gale-force winds blew 23 containers of ink cartridges off a cargo vessel, the Seroya Lima, anchored off Port Elizabeth’s Bluewater Bay. The containers were dislodged and fell into the … [Read more...]
