Partnership integrates social elements with enterprise development and business process automation

On the 5th of September 200 Waste-preneurs and special guests gathered at the Wildlands Recycling Transfer Station, near Midmar in Pietermartizburg, to officially launch the partnership.

Engen, South Africa’s market-leading downstream petroleum company has invested R4.5 million in an enterprise development partnership with Wildland Green-preneurs (Pty) Ltd, with numerous spin-offs for the environmental and recycling focused organisation and local entrepreneurs.

Investment impact
Wildlands Green-preneurs (Pty) Ltd collects waste from a network of Waste-preneurs, businesses, schools and charitable organisations, sorts and bales materials at depots and sells it to recyclers. In 2012, the organisation collected and recycled over 4 million kg’s of recyclable waste.

“Given the company’s reach, Engen’s investment will significantly boost recycling efforts, and promote black empowerment and local enterprises,” says Tasneem Sulaiman-Bray, Engen’s General Manager of Corporate Affairs.

“It is a multi-faceted investment with far-reaching impact, allowing us to integrate socio-economic imperatives with enterprise development elements to help Wildlands’ Waste-preneurs build sustainable businesses. In addition, we are contributing to Wildlands’ business efficiencies,” added Sulaiman-Bray.

In return, Engen will receive carbon credits, supporting its sustainability and planet change agenda.

Where the money went
The investment provided new infrastructure and equipment for the Midmar Recycling Transfer Station, including conveyor belts, glass crushers, a concrete slab for drop-off and loading, and closed sorting sheds which will protect workers from the weather. In addition, it will support two new recycling transfer stations in the eThekwini Municipality and uThungulu Municipality districts – with a vision to do most of the above on a smaller scale.

“The infrastructure will increase the core efficiencies of the recycling processing plants, resulting in Wildlands also being able to increase its current staff complement from 63 to 75 at the depot,” said Wildlands CEO Dr Andrew Venter. “This runs counter to many efficiency-boosting interventions. As sorting and crushing was done manually before, the new infrastructure will speed matters up, allowing Wildlands to increase volumes and work through its stockpile of waste,” Dr Venter explains.

In addition, Engen’s investment has contributed to the building of a new office block, training centre for 25 people, canteen, kitchen, locker facility and a computer room at the depot, as well as an ablution facility for the disabled, thereby further improving working conditions.

The office block was also declared open today by Tasneem Sulaiman-Bray and Dr Andrew Venter with an official red ribbon cutting ceremony.

Staff wellbeing
“Engen’s investment has certainly increased the wellbeing of our staff,” says Wildlands Recycling Operations Manager Urvashi Haridass. “It has made their working environment healthier and safer. The staff are also very excited about the canteen facility, as this will mean they can leave their work station and enjoy their lunch in a different space. Overall I have already seen a more efficient system, making me very excited about the future.”

Sthembile Zondo, a sorting supervisor at the recycling depot, says the enclosure around the sorting area has helped a lot. “It used to be very cold and windy and the rubbish would blow away or onto you,” she says. “The new conveyor is also faster, so you can sort faster and everyone can work harder. It is also nice to have cement around the depot instead of standing in mud.”

Philani Zondi started working at the Midmar facility two years ago. “The new glass crushing machine makes a big difference,” says Zondi. “It is easier to work and production is a lot faster. We used to do two bags a day and now we do about twenty. It is also safer. Our arms used to get tired, but now we can’t hurt ourselves anymore.”

Excited
“Wildlands are very excited about this partnership with Engen,” says Venter. “Green-preneurs (Pty) Ltd does some great work, and with this funding we will be able to ensure it is better equipped to do what it does best – green the economy.”

True to Wildlands form, Dr Venter also mentioned the sustainable resources used in the construction of this benchmark facility, including upcycled bricks, tables, wood, second hand computers and electronic equipment and chairs.

“None of these exciting developments would have been possible without Engen. We also need to acknowledge that the upgrading of these facilities is ultimately changing lives – we can now collect more waste, take on more Waste-preneurs in rural communities and change the faces of these communities into clean, green environments,” said Dr Venter. “We organised for 200 of our local Waste-preneurs* to join us today,” said Dr Venter, “because we wanted to use this opportunity to honor them and express our appreciation for the work they do in helping us clean and green communities. We could not do this without you,” he said, while he asked them all to stand so all those in attendance could acknowledge their outstanding contribution.

Ends

Waste-preneurs* are individuals from rural communities who collect recyclable waste and barter it with Wildlands for redeemable vouchers which they can use to purchase livelihood support items such as food, clothing, education support, Jojo tanks and bicycles,


For more information please contact Khanyisa Balfour on (021) 403 4531 or via email on khanyisa.balfour@engenoil.com or Laurenl@wildlands.co.za