| May 2010 - The Aerosol Manufacturers Association and Collect-a-Can make a difference at landfill site | |
|
The Aerosol Manufacturers Association and Collect-a-Can make a difference at landfill site Collect-a-Can were delighted to be part of a sponsorship handover event recently where the Aerosol Manufacturers Association of South Africa (AMA) handed over safety gear to representatives of the pickers association at the Goudkoppies Municipal landfill site in Devland south of Johannesburg. The event, which took place on 4 May, saw the AMA donating specialized collection bags, face masks and rubber gloves that will be distributed to an estimated 2000 recycling collectors who are working on the landfill site. “The AMA was founded in 1963,” said AMA spokesperson Mike Naude. “We recently formed a sustainability committee to focus on accountability in the areas of manufacturing, marketplace, social responsibility and environmental responsibility. The decision was made to approach Collect-a-Can to assist us with our endeavours to minimise the impact of aerosol cans on the environment by ensuring that as many cans as possible are reclaimed after they have been used and that they are recycled,” Naude explained. “This is a tremendous opportunity for Collect-a-Can,” said Annie Tsima, Managing Director of Collect-a-Can. “At inception Collect-a-Can focused on collecting only beverage cans, however over the years the organization has moved into collecting all used cans such as aerosol, food, paint and oil cans. What makes Collect-a-Can different from other recycling companies is that we focus on both the collection and recycling of used cans. With the world turning to a “greener” focus, companies and organisations are increasingly expected to be environmentally responsible in the way that they conduct their operations and businesses. The AMA recognizes the integral part that recycling of used aerosol cans plays in the sustainability of the environment and as such we will strive to assist them wherever possible,” Tsima concluded. There is currently little infrastructure in place for household waste separation at source and as such the majority of used aerosol cans end up in landfills, despite these cans being entirely recyclable. Pickers earn their livelihood by sorting manually through the general waste on landfill sites to separate out recyclable items which are then sold to recycling companies such as Collect-a-Can. An estimated 32 000 tons of waste is processed by the Goudkoppies landfill site per month. Working in such close proximity with the waste can pose health and safety hazards for the pickers, hence the association’s decision to donate the safety gear. The pickers were delighted with the donation. “We have been praying for help and now our prayers have been answered,” said Eddie Mudau who spoke on behalf of the waste pickers. “It is a step in the right direction to see the waste pickers, their representatives and industry bodies such as the AMA and Collect-a-Can all together under one roof like this,” said Dumisani Buthelezi, a representative from the dti (Department of Trade and Industry) Environmental Directorate who attended the event. “There are a lot of job opportunities and new industries arising from the waste management and recycling industry and by getting the right people together, focused on the same goals, it can only lead to a positive outcome. The Recycling Industry Body has been established to promote initiatives of this nature.” Collect-a-Can look forward to an ongoing relationship with the AMA making positive inroads in the process of reclaiming aerosol cans from the waste cycle. For more information contact Collect-a-Can’s head office at 011 466 2939 or visit their website www.collectacan.co.za.
|
