USE-IT MD Chris Whyte (left) with Lindsay Strachan (Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa KZN branch chair)
DURBAN’S recycling efforts have won international recognition at arguably the world’s most influential global platform, the recent World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.
USE-IT, an NGO behind a number of innovative waste beneficiation projects including a pioneering brick-making initiative that incorporates building rubble into thermally-efficient and environmentally-friendly construction material, was short-listed for a prestigious accolade at the WEF.
One of six award categories, collectively known as The Circulars 2017, at the annual gathering of world leaders, the AB InBev Award for Circular Governments, Cities and Regions pays tribute to outstanding endeavours that promote sustainability through economically-sound and environmentally-friendly solutions.
Although USE-IT did not win its category, founder and MD Chris Whyte is thrilled to have been selected as one of only two African finalists and the only South African finalist among the 36 contenders across all six award categories.
“We’d obviously have loved to have been 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,” Whyte said.
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 global recognition 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 said.