Recycling industry rewarded at Redisa Recognition Awards

These were the words of Edna Molewa, Minister of Environmental Affairs, who was speaking at the Redisa Recognition Awards. The awards are a recycling and economic development initiative aimed at recognising people and organisations that made inroads in the recycling sector.

During her keynote address, Molewa said progress within the recycling sector was being made at such a rate that there would soon be no waste tyres for striking protesters to burn.

Stanley Mangoepe, the Midrand Depot manager, was recognised for his effort with the Extra Mile award. Mangoepe said he was extremely happy to receive the award as his work promotes healthy living. Mangoepe even went as far as to say his health was positively affected by his job.

“Healthy living is very critical,” he said.

The Midrand Depot is a flagship business for Redisa, as it was the first depot to be established within the company. On average, they dispatch eight truck fulls of tyres for recycling.

“We are formally celebrating and honouring individuals who have been willing to get involved and participate in this uniquely South African solution to one of the world’s biggest problems,” said Hermann Erdmann, Redisa’s CEO.

“We began implementation less than two years ago and exceeded all the yearly set milestones in our plan. This would not have been remotely possible were it not for those people who have made the development of this new tyre recycling industry possible.”

Those he was referring to included Mangoepe, who has turned recycling into a means of self-employment and empowerment.

Various tyre manufacturers, importers, dealers, transporters, depot managers and those who recycle were all honoured at the awards.