Page 17 - DUT Excellence 2024 S1

In late November 2023, the WZW Project initiated a zero-waste municipal learning exchange, connecting eThekwini Municipality with counterparts in the Western Cape.The exchange, focused on managing organic waste at scale, separation at source, recycling, and waste picker integration interventions, laid the foundation for future collaborations.
“My take-away from this project is that as local government, we can now scale up operations and look for ways to maximise benefits, including possible avenues for commercialisation,” said Thulani Nzama, Head of eThekwini Municipality’s BSMTAU.
The MOU formalises the commitment of the municipality’s three participating units to support the scale-up of the organic waste to compost pilot. It aligns with the principles of zero-waste, promoting inclusive, regenerative, circular economies in urban settings.
“Relationship building is important to maximise the positive impact of the partnerships.There has never been a more critical moment than the present to up our collective efforts to mitigate human induced climate change.”
“The harmful effects of climate change are real and pressing and have disproportionate risks for marginalised and vulnerable communities.
Through better management of our organic waste - including:
FOOD AND GARDEN WASTE,
and our recyclables, we can activate mutually beneficial economic and social wins and mitigate climate change,” Dr Fleetwood concluded.
Dominic Naidoo
Starting modestly by diverting organic waste from the Warwick Early Morning Market, the project aims to gradually scale up operations with the ultimate goal to divert the entire 400 tonnes of waste generated by the market annually.
15 DUT EXCELLENCE 2024