Durban’s recycling efforts gets international recognition.
USE-IT MD Chris Whyte (left) with Lindsay Strachan (Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa KZN branch chair).
Durban’s NGO USE-IT has won international recognition for its recycling efforts. The NGO, is one of two African and the only South African finalist at The Circulars.
The annual gathering of world leaders, the AB InBev Award for Circular Governments, Cities and Regions which pays tribute to outstanding endeavours that promote sustainability through economically-sound and environmentally-friendly solutions, will take place in Davos, Switzerland next week (Jan 17-20).
The NGO is behind a number of innovative waste benefication projects including a pioneering brick-making initiative that incorporates building rubble into thermally-efficient and environmentally-friendly construction material, and is in the running for a prestigious accolade at the WEF.
USE-IT founder and MD Chris Whyte, said “We’d obviously love being crowned the winner, but we’re extremely proud of our achievement as a humble Durban NGO that is punching well above its weight against some extremely well-resourced international organisations.”
The recycled bricks on pallets ready for distribution.
Bricks being made from recycled material being manufactured.
The NGO has made a substantial difference to Greater Durban’s waste reduction efforts, through the USE-IT eThekwini Waste Materials Recovery Industry Development Cluster. During the 2015/16 financial year, more than 11 000 tons of recyclable waste was diverted that saved almost 30 000 square metres of eThekwini Metro’s landfill space.
“Put differently, for every Rand of funding secured, USE-IT saved R4.19 in landfill diversion, while we’ve created 2 419 jobs since inception in 2009,” he said.
Whyte hopes the award will build on USE-IT’s track record of growing, expanding and commercialising its innovations.
“Our ground-breaking innovations and projects across all the different waste streams underlines our contribution to a sustainable future for all,” he added.
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