A new glass recycling facility was launched in Queensmead Industrial Park, Durban, on Thursday.
The multimillion rand project is a partnership between the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN)Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and HEINEKEN Beverages.
Speaking at the launch, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, MEC of KZN’s Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), said the facility will provide jobs.
“We would like to see similar glass recycling facilities established in rural towns such as Port Shepstone, Ladysmith, uLundi, uMgungundlovu, and Mpangeni, to revitalise local economies and foster sustainable livelihoods. This project serves as a pilot, and we hope it will evolve into a model replicated across KwaZulu-Natal” he added.
The facility has advanced glass crushing and sorting technology and operates as a buyback centre.
Local recyclers can exchange collected glass for income.
Eric Leong Son, Head of Sustainability at HEINEKEN Beverages, said the project enhances the already existing Mavavela site, run by the Ngidi family, because of their passion, leadership and proven impact on local recyclers.
“Together, we are transforming waste into opportunity and helping to close the loop in the glass recycling value chain” said Son.
Picture: Supplied