Page 10 - Business Sense-11.2 Brian Howarth- ebook

FROM WASTE TO WEALTH

CELEBRATING SAPPI’S #RECYCLINGHEROES ON

GLOBAL RECYCLING DAY

Zelda Schwalbach, External 20% of Sappi’s post-consumer Frikkie Ueckermann, Sappi Senior
Communications Lead, Sappi paper needs, and in the process, Procurement Manager: Sourcing.
Southern Africa providing livelihoods for more “Since 2016, Sappi has been
than two hundred people.
lobal Recycling Day, a tremendous help to ADDX
Trading. They’ve not only helped
observed every year on Empowering Recycling Heroes: us grow as a business but also
G18 March, celebrates the Enterprise and Supplier given us the chance to create jobs.
vital role that recycling plays in Development When we first started working
preserving the planet for future In 2018, Sappi’s ReFibre began with them, we only had two
generations. This year’s theme, identifying and supporting permanent employees. Now we’ve
#RecyclingHeroes, shines a SMEs to integrate them into grown to six permanent staff,
spotlight on the individuals, the mainstream economy. and two temporary workers, The ADDX Trading team celebrating Global Recycling Day
organisations, and initiatives Through initiatives like loaning and we even support several
driving sustainable practices baling machines and providing informal waste collectors. It’s
and empowering communities comprehensive business not just financially that we have
worldwide. Among these heroes, development support and a excelled either – Sappi’s taught
Sappi’s ReFibre division – a small secured market, the programme us so much about recycling and
dedicated team – stands out as has empowered 24 SMEs across the environment, and we’re better
a trailblazer in transforming South Africa, with Sappi’s capital for it in every way,” commented
recycling into a powerful tool for investment into the companies ADDX owner, Phumla Gamede.
economic and social upliftment. amounting to R14million, to
date. These individual recycling Her words are echoed by
As a global leader in paper Benjamin Jack Magongo from
production, Sappi takes a holistic companies now supply an average Africa Green-Earth Projects, who
approach to sustainability by of 14,000 tons of post-consumer shared the following sentiments:
integrating virgin fibre, recycled brown recovered paper annually “Sappi, your guidance and support
fibre, and bagasse – a sugar- to Sappi’s Tugela and Ngodwana
processing byproduct – into Mills. Their efforts make a tangible have been the backbone of my
success. From uplifting my rural
its paper-making process. This impact in their communities in waste reduction programme to
approach not only conserves terms of poverty alleviation, job teaching me vital skills in waste
resources like water and energy but creation, and waste minimisation management and recycling, you’ve
also reduces landfill dependency, as they also collect and process empowered me to grow and
methane emissions, and other grades of recycled material thrive. With your mentorship,
environmental degradation. like other recycled paper grades,
and various grades of plastic I’ve built new opportunities,
At the heart of Sappi’s recycling and glass. won awards, and connected with
success is its 100% outsourced invaluable networks. Today, every
business model, which relies on Further business support comes achievement I hold is a testament
partnerships with over 40 private through development initiatives to the unwavering support and Sappi Recycling
recycling, waste management in co-operation with Sappi wisdom you’ve shared. Thank you
companies and Corrugators Enterprise and Development for helping me turn my dreams
in South Africa, Namibia, and Department which enhance the into reality.”
Zimbabwe. Among these, 24 are competitiveness and sustainability Sappi Refibre’ s story is
100% Black-owned businesses, of these SMEs. By equipping these a testament to how a well-
epitomising Sappi’s commitment businesses with skills, resources, crafted business model can
to social transformation and and opportunities, Sappi ensures drive sustainability and social
shared value. their success and compliance with
South African laws and policies as upliftment. The people and SMEs
Sappi’s ReFibre division has well as sustainability by offering a involved in Sappi’s recycling
been a cornerstone of its efforts, secured market for post-consumer initiatives exemplify this year’s
sourcing pre- and post-consumer brown recovered paper. #RecyclingHeroes theme, proving
brown recovered paper to meet the that recycling is not just about
stringent quality standards of the “Integrating these SMEs into our waste management – it is about
Paper Manufacturing Association operations has not only proven to shaping a greener, more equitable
of South Africa (PAMSA) and be a successful model for securing world and creating a better future
international certifications like the fibre we require but has also for all. 
PEFC/FSC. Beyond recycling, aligned seamlessly with our
ReFibre is a beacon of hope and sustainability pillars – addressing M: +27 (0) 83 652 8528
opportunity for communities, the objectives of people, planet, E: Zelda.Schwalbach@sappi.com
enabling SMEs to supply nearly and prosperity, “commented W: www.sappi.com The ADDX Trading team celebrating Global Recycling Day

MEETING FOCUSES ON BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

n a strategic and productive The discussion focused Minara’s commitment to the Chamber aims to educate local businesses, and the
meeting, the Minara Chamber on exploring both local this vision was highlighted by businesses on areas such as partnership with Minara
Iof Commerce led by President and international business President Ebrahim Patel, who production, stability, and export Chamber is seen as a step
Ebrahim Patel accompanied opportunities and identifying shared that the Chamber is capabilities, specifically targeting forward in ensuring that
by Vice President Fawzia Peer, avenues to overcome the actively hosting meetings with the African market and new businesses are well equipped
Secretary General Essa Hassim challenges currently facing key stakeholders to bring more global regions. to tap into both local and
and Directors Sumaya Suliman businesses. business opportunities to its international markets.
and Nazareen Ebrahim Chair of members. This initiative seeks to equip See below for those interested in
the PR and Technology committee, Both organisations share a A key point of discussion was businesses with the tools they learning more about these oppor-
met with leadership from Trade common goal to find innovative the importance of providing need to expand their reach, tunities or becoming members of
and Investment KZN (TIKZN), solutions that will foster businesses with the necessary diversify, and enhance their the Minara Chamber. 
led by CEO Sihle Ngcamu who economic growth and open new knowledge and resources to operations.
was joined by Exports Manager windows of opportunity for navigate the evolving business TIKZN expressed a strong E: kzn@minara.org.za
Claude Moodley. businesses in the region. landscape. Patel emphasised that commitment to supporting W: www.minara.org.za

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