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BELINDA PUTTERILL

social responsibility aspect of the work. “We work explains. “Sometimes we don’t like each other very
elinda Putterill, the managing director of Use- with communities on the ground, and it gives me
it Waste Beneficiation, a non-profit company much, but we’re stuck with each other, and we kind
operating within the waste value chain, purpose every day to wake up and do more because of stick together,” she says. “Our team, does have
Breflects on her origins with a sense of nostalgia. of the impact change has on the beneficiaries with conflicts, but we resolve them in-house,” she notes.
“My story began in a small town,” she shares. Born whom we work.” “We need to understand each other as individuals
in Pietermaritzburg, Belinda grew up in Bergville Balancing a demanding career with personal with different cultures and what our circumstances
and spent her childhood in Colenso, a town that responsibilities is no small feat, and Belinda is are at home to be able to support each other in the
shaped much of her early life. “I attended Estcourt particularly proud of her ability to do so as a single workplace.”
High School for a while and then matriculated from mother. “Being a single mum for 16 years and a full- The non-profit environment, with its inherent
Ladysmith High School,” she says. Growing up in an time working mum at that, while managing this funding challenges, adds another layer of difficulty.
era where “we got up to mischief because it was all-encompassing job, has been challenging,” she “Being in the non-profit environment, it’s not
the normal thing to do,” Belinda developed a strong acknowledges. “I’m proud to say that I’ve raised conducive to job security because we’re so funding
sense of community and resilience that would define two amazing children who are both now in the final dependent,” Belinda explains.
her professional journey. years of their studies. Hopefully, Mum will get a
break soon,” she adds with a chuckle. SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION
Belinda’s entry into the professional world was
swift. “My first job was actually three days after A LASTING IMPACT Belinda draws inspiration from her faith. “I will be
completing matric,” she recalls. Having just finished honest, God, my faith, it’s a daily affirmation for
her final exam, Belinda embarked on her career as The wisdom passed down from Belinda’s mother me,” she says. This spiritual foundation provides her
a legal secretary for an attorney in Ladysmith. “It has played a significant role in shaping her outlook with strength and guidance in both her personal
was quite an experience,” she notes. on life and work. “The best advice always comes and professional life.
from your mum,” she asserts, noting that it’s often a
A DIVERSE BACKGROUND generational thing. One piece of advice, in particular, Reflecting on the past five years, Belinda acknow-

However, Belinda’s journey into the waste industry has had a lasting impact on her. “My mum told me ledges the challenges that the region has faced.
“The past five years have been tough,” she says,
was not a direct one. “I have a diverse background, not to look back on your past mistakes and see them
not specifically in the waste industry, but it’s always as failures,” she shares. Instead, she was encouraged noting the loss of significant industry in Durban and
been environmentally focused,” she explains. Her to view them as lessons from which to grow. “You the resulting job losses. However, she sees hope on
path led her to Use-it nearly a decade ago, where can’t change what’s happened in the past, but you the horizon, particularly with the development of
she discovered her true passion. “Waste is so holistic,” can definitely use the lessons learned to do better in the Dube TradePort. “I think that is going to have
she states. “You might think it’s just rubbish on the the future,” Belinda explains. a significant impact on Durban and Hammarsdale
street, but when you look at the impact it has on our In a field dominated by highly qualified academics, specifically,” she predicts.
environment in its entirety, it’s a global problem.”
one of the biggest challenges that Belinda faced, Belinda also notes a shift in local government’s
Initially, the magnitude of the waste issue seemed she admits, has been that of self-doubt. Surrounded approach to the green economy. “Our local govern-
overwhelming. “It was almost too big for me,” she by peers with PhDs and extensive academic ment has become more invested in the green
admits. However, she soon realised that by making credentials, she found it difficult to see herself economy,” she observes. This increased focus on
even a small impact, she could contribute to a larger as their equal. “It’s intimidating,” she confesses. environmental impact, combined with efforts to
change. “If I could only just do one thing that could However, over time, Belinda has earned the respect keep Durban’s river systems healthy and its beaches
have an impact, it would snowball,” she says. At of her colleagues and peers, which has significantly clean, gives her optimism for the future. “I think
Use-it, Belinda finds purpose in addressing waste boosted her confidence. “I’m happy to say that my Durban is going to go a long way in the next five
management challenges and making a tangible peers see me as their equal, which has really been years,” she says with confidence.
difference in communities. “We sit above the value amazing for me,” she says. Belinda’s personal motto reflects her innovative and
chain of waste, identifying where the problematic Belinda describes the team at Use-it as a family, with open-minded approach to challenges. “My motto
waste streams are and what the roadblocks are,” all the complexities that such a dynamic entails. has always been: Don’t break out of the box; there is
she explains. But what drives her the most is the
“Use-it has a mantra: it’s the Use-it family,” she no box, anything is possible,” she shares.
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