Sasol In Society Report - Book - Page 111
Feature
Story
Envirowaste
management programme
The Envirowaste project in Secunda is a
successful waste management initiative
led by Sasol. It encompasses several
key elements such as street clean-ups,
communal waste collections, sorting at
source, land rehabilitation, sustainable
agriculture and entrepreneurial
development through the economic
value of waste.
The programme is aimed at ridding the fenceline
of illegal dumps in a sustainable all-inclusive
communal approach to grow the green
township economy.
The unique communal inclusive approach
of the envirowaste programme has led to a
thriving community-owned initiative that has
been adopted by all. The major driving force of
the initiative has been 40 youth and four local
cooperatives from eMbalenhle/Lebogang.
The programme has a strong stakeholder
relationship with the Govan Mbeki local
municipality and civil forums.
An expansion of the project into the KwaZuluNatal pipeline region saw to the building and
launching of two massive Materials Recovery
Facilities (MRF) in Amanzimtoti, in the South Coast
of Durban. These two new sites alone have created
an additional 40 direct jobs and 200 indirect jobs.
The sites were commissioned by the Minister of
Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Hon Barbara
Creecy in September 2022 during the International
Coastal Cleanup that diverted 200 tons of
plastic waste.
The integrated approach as well as the services
of experienced environmental consultants ensure
that all elements affecting the environment are
taken into consideration when providing solutions.
The initiative has been successful in rehabilitating
30 of the previously identified dumping hotspots
into food gardens, and another 35 communal
gardens were established in individual homes.
The community has been educated and made
aware of the importance of environmental
protection. This year, more than 8 000
households, 20 schools, and seven orphanages
have benefited from the food garden programme,
and over three kilotons of waste have been
diverted from leaking into the environment.
The initiative has also created up to 50 direct
jobs and 150 employment opportunities for
the community at eMbalenhle and Lebohang.
Three local waste management start-ups have
been adopted by the programme and are being
mentored to become sustainable contributors
to environmental protection efforts in the
community. This programme has received positive
recognition from local and national government,
and future collaborations are envisioned. The
programme is a much needed part of the efforts
to ensure long-term behavioural change in
communities and to reduce the overall carbon
footprint of the region.
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