Today I salute a rising star in the waste industry in whose bright face I see recycling grow into a central instrument in the healing of our planet. Cynthia Vundisa supervises 64 staff members at the WastePlan recycling transfer station outside Somerset West. Her story illustrates the inter-dependence between a single mother with vision and recycling targets on which the … [Read more...]
Pioneering recycling Part 1: Against all odds
No matter where I travel across the country, I inevitably find folk lamenting their desperate desire to have their household waste recycled. Either there's an almost uniform waste guilt permeating South Africans, or perhaps talking recycling is the average person's default recourse when they find themselves in the company of a serious greeny. That's when I realise again how … [Read more...]
Litter awareness the ultimate prize for Two Oceans marathon
The Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon is 41 years old this year. It all started with just 26 runners and is now attracting over 26 000 across the ultra, the half marathon, the trail runs and the fun runs. The ultra marathon follows a beautiful 56km scenic route around the Cape Peninsula and ends at the University of Cape Town with a carnival for the whole family. This year it … [Read more...]
Where do we go with our polystyrene?
When I think of Polystyrene my mind conjures pictures of drinking cups, egg trays, meat trays and picnic plates. This spongy material is called Expanded Polystyrene (EPS). EPS was invented in 1952 by BASF. It is a lightweight cellular material derived from petroleum and natural gas by-products. It is initially produced as small beads containing a blowing agent. The beads … [Read more...]
Cape companies excel at national productivity awards
Two Western Cape winners of the regional SA Productivity Awards, WastePlan (Pty) Ltd and Fair Cape Dairies (Pty) Ltd have done us proud by also winning the national awards in their respective categories of emerging and corporate sectors. They received their awards, together with the national winner in the public sector, Rahima Moosa Hospital, at a prestigious award ceremony … [Read more...]
Living green is cornerstone of family business
'Thumbs up to the Vineyard Hotel and Spa in Newlands for winning the 'Investor in People' category of the annual Imvelo Awards for responsible tourism. The hotel is also a runner-up in the 'Best Single Resource Management' category, specifically for its waste management programme. 'The staff at the Vineyard Hotel & Spa are like an extended family - many have been loyal … [Read more...]
