ACCORDING to The Glass Recycling Company (TGRC) it is the lower income groups of people who are truly investing their time in glass collection for recycling. But this did not deter the recycling giants from placing 10 extra glass banks in the Durban region, making it more convenient for local residents to drop off their glass for recycling.
Speaking at the launch of the Why Not Service Station glass bank on Wednesday 9 April, Shabeer Jhetam, chief execurituve officer of TGRC, said: “It’s up to each one of us to appreciate the positive effect that recycling will have on our environment, and how we can make a difference. The new banks can be found in uMhlanga, Durban North, La Lucia and Phoenix. These glass banks are over and above the 209 already in place across the greater city.”
eThekwini Municipality’s speaker, Logie Naidoo, welcomed the initiative by TGRC at the launch of the extra banks. Other stakeholders who are also on board and attended the launch included DSW deputy head, Robert Abbu, Total’s regional sales sales manager, Renier Pieterse, FNB Commericial Banking’s Nathan Naidoo and various business owners who will also received the glass banks.
As glass is made from natural substances, it is endlessly recyclable, making it a truly environmentally sustainable packaging. Every new glass bottle and jar made in our country contains 40 per cent recycled glass, a clear win for all. In fact, glass has the highest recycled content of all packaging in the country.
“Glass can easily be recycled by taking glass bottles and jars to a glass bank in your community. Recycling is easy, you don’t have to start big to make an impact,” Shabeer added.
“We are passionate about ensuring that every South African realises the value of recycling glass and actively embraces this practise. South Africans
have increased the national glass recycling rate to 40.6 per cent. More than one billion bottles were recycled in the past year,” he said.
Tips to recycle and educate
WHENEVER you purchase something packaged, think about how you can reuse or recycle the packaging.
• Glass is 100 per cent recyclable and can be recycled again and again without losing its purity or strength.
• Plan your trips to glass banks to fit into your daily schedule. It will become part of your routine rather than a chore.
• Take your children with you and show them how and where to put their bottles.
• In South Africa, it’s not necessary to wash glass (simply rinse out the foodstuff), before placing it into glass banks, or to place different coloured glass into separate banks. Recycling is just so easy.
• Learn what is recyclable and what is not. Glass containers, such as those used for food and beverages can be recycled. Other types of glass, such as window pane glass, ovenware, Pyrex, crystal and light bulbs are manufactured through a different process and cannot be recycled through South Africa’s glass manufacturers.
The new banks have been placed in the following locations
• Ocean Basket, uMhlanga, 23 Lagoon Drive.
• Gordon’s Pub & Grill, 15 Lagoon Drive, uMhlanga.
• Riverside Hotel, 10 Northway, Durban North.
• Jungle Cubs Pre-School, 145 Umhlanga Rocks Drive, Durban North.
• Parkhill Bowling Club, 50 Umhlanga Rocks Drive, Durban North.
• Why Not Service Station, 13-15 Umhlanga Rocks Drive, Durban North.
• Forest Drive Motors, 40 Forest Drive, La Lucia.
• BP La Lucia, 49 Sage Wood Way, La Lucia.
• St Michael’s Primary School, 123 Hyacinth Road, Redhill.
• Sunford Primary School, Innerford Road, Unit 15, Sunford, Phoenix.
