When she was asked to help, her first reaction was total nervousness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Candice Mostert, founder of the Waste-Ed project, still remembers the day clearly. She was asked to be part of an innovative project to reduce waste at the Bellville Public Transport Interchange (PTI).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI thought: give me anything other than the Bellville Public Transport Interchange (PTI),\u201d she laughs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Besides being the main transport hub for taxis, trains and buses, the PTI in Bellville has become synonymous with all the wrong things: crime, filth and crowds of busy people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The last thing people associate with it is recycling and sustainable living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is slowly but surely changing, thanks to the better. bellville. together campaign, the City-funded initiative that has roped in people like Mostert to change Bellville for good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These days Mostert weaves through the taxi rank like a local, greeting acquaintances where she goes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s hard not to get caught up in her enthusiasm for the project. Nerves are long gone. Things are working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s been over a year since they started working in the area and the momentum is obvious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Greater Tygerberg Partnership (GTP), the organisation that leads and implements the campaign, recently announced the implementation of new waste separation bins to be used in the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These aren\u2019t just any bins. These are custom-built, strong-as-steel and ready for any issue Bellville\u2019s commuters can throw at them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 20 sorting bins are colour-coded \u2013 red, yellow, and green \u2013 and are designed for specific waste categories. Green bins are for food waste and compostable materials, yellow bins for recyclable materials, and red bins for non-recyclable waste destined for landfills. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Bellville PTI currently sends between 7,5 and 10 tonnes of mixed waste to landfill per month,\u201d Mostert explains. \u201cBy implementing simple waste separation infrastructure and practices like waste education and these new bins, we estimate that 0,5 to 1 tonne of food waste and two to three tonnes of recyclables can be diverted to local solutions every month, showcasing the huge potential of this programme.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s easy to dismiss these bins as just another white elephant, destined to stand in the way of commuters, who, at best, throw their rubbish away, let alone sort it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yet, nothing hasn\u2019t been considered a hundred times over. Cleaners at the PTI have all been trained on proper waste separation practices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bins can only be locked and opened with a specific mechanism, ensuring waste pickers or others don\u2019t dump out what\u2019s been collected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s more, 39 people have been trained to help commuters understand the importance of waste sorting and recycling. These workers, colourfully clad in blue, stand around bins, waiting for unsuspecting commuters who have come to throw away their rubbish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once close enough, the workers engage them in the wonders of recycling. There are games where commuters can learn while playing. The area has been colourfully decorated with plastic bottle tops. If ever there was a fun place at Bellville\u2019s taxi rank \u2013 this is it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even before the arrival of the bins, the campaign has seen significant improvements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A total of 9 tonnes of recyclable waste was diverted from landfills as well as 52,8 tons of organic waste such as food scraps and garden material from local businesses and civic places. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The organic waste was recycled locally and used for compost at The Bellville Life Changing Garden behind MES in AJ West Street. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another pilot project is seeing select food vendors using recyclable packaging, sponsored by Nude Foods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two waste diversion solutions have also been implemented including a daily local recycling collection and a local organics collection plan with solid waste management. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
James Vos, the City\u2019s Mayco member for economic growth, waste and recycling, says the campaign has made significant strides in fostering community development so far. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201dThe success of the better. bellville. together. initiative has demonstrated the remarkable potential of community-driven projects to effect positive change,\u201d says Vos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Warren Hewitt, CEO of the GTP, says the collaboration between the community, businesses and government agencies has made all the difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe initiative has laid a strong foundation for the project\u2019s upcoming endeavours, and this ongoing partnership will continue to play a pivotal role in the success of the better. bellville. together. programme as it moves forward with its ambitious plans,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The goal is to create a circular economy \u2013 where products are reused or recycled instead of filling up landfills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mostert shows the bottletop artworks adorning the walls and poles at the taxi rank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The informal traders have told her they\u2019re asked about these daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Who knows \u2013 maybe budding commuter artists receive their inspiration from the PTI, or just think twice about thoughtlessly sending their rubbish to landfill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more information about better. bellville. together. and how to get involved or have your say, visit: www.bettertogether.africa.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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