Eco-bin
Company Profile
The unique patented Eco-bin is South Africa’s first outdoor separation at source receptacle. Boasting four individual compartments for recycling (plastic/polystyrene, glass/cans, paper/cardboard and either e-Waste or tetrapak/cartons), as well as a fifth compartment for cigarette butts, the Eco-bin is a catalyst in the recycling campaign to reduce waste at landfills and empower social upliftment.
The bins, constructed out of 98% natural sediment concrete, are available in two sizes: mini (360 ℓ) and maxi (720 ℓ). Each bin is fitted with a hinged door and failsafe locking system.
Clear messaging on the back panel of the Eco-bin, in a language of choice, educates people on how to recycle and how to use the bin. The E-Lite material used on the Eco-bin enhances the effect of advertising space by offering inescapable brand exposure 24 hours a day. This material utilises the bypassing lights of commuters to illuminate advertising space, while not making use of any extra power.
The functionality of the Eco-bin system is ideal for any environment, namely, corporate, mines and industry, retail (such as shopping malls), residential villages, schools, universities, communities, and municipalities. Eco-bin’s vision is to expand its footprint by encompassing more community-based authorities and additional seats of learning, along with highly frequented venues such as shopping malls, office parks, airports, sports clubs, stadiums, zoos and wildlife parks. Wherever you can picture an Eco-bin, we can supply it!
COLOUR REFERENCES
RED – glass/cans
YELLOW – plastic/polystyrene
BLUE – paper/cardboard
GREEN – e-Waste OR tetrapak/cartons
GREY – cigarette butts
REUSABLE BAGS: Each separate at source compartment on the Eco-bin has its own reusable and recyclable polypropylene (HDPE) inner lining. The reusable bags are easy to remove and insert, making it ideal for collection. The Eco-bin makes use of recycled polypropylene bags because the material adjusts easily to the mass of any type of waste, maximising the inner compartment space.
EMPOWERMENT & JOB CREATION: Recycling rates in South Africa are relatively well-established driven primarily by industry, voluntary initiatives with funds managed independently of government via non-profit associations, which oversee recovery/recycling processes and facilities. There are a lot of informal initiatives for collecting and recovering recyclable materials in the country and this is a job creation element. The strategy seeks to encourage recycling and thus norms and standards for recycling will be developed to ensure that such initiatives are done in an environmentally sound manner and that economic incentives for recycling are incorporated.
There are big challenges that we face in creating enough jobs for South Africans willing and able to work, in combating poverty and inequality and in ensuring sustainable development for this and future generations. Street harvesters are as a result of poverty, and because South Africa is a developing nation, this informal sector is here to stay. We, as the Green Revolution Team at Eco-bin, don’t see why even though the sector is not formalised, street harvesters should have to dig around in bins or filter their way through unhygienic landfills in search of recyclables. By implementing the Eco-bin system at municipal and community level, it will aid in providing a more dignified solution to street harvesters. In addition, SMME recyclers will help alleviate the burden on the job market, as the recycling industry is a sustainable one with consumption on the rise.
The National Environmental Management Waste Act (NEMWA), which came into effect on 1 July 2010 (Act No.59 of 2008), requires that waste minimisation be considered by municipalities in addition to the traditional municipal waste management services such as cleaning, collection and disposal to landfill. The Draft Waste Classification and Management Regulations (Department of Environmental Affairs 2010) and the National Domestic Collection Standards (October 2010: currently in effect) set out the regulatory requirements and standards necessary for the implementation of the provisions of the Act (NEMWA).
The National Domestic Collection Standards clearly states that separation at source must be encouraged and supported in line with the relevant industry waste management plans, and in addition:
• All domestic waste must be sorted at source (i.e. households) in all metropolitan and secondary cities
• The service provider/municipality must provide clear guidelines to households regarding types of waste the sorting of waste, appropriate containers and removal schedules for each type of waste
• Community involvement in recycling must be encouraged.
ECO-TROLLEY: Following the Eco-bin, the Eco-trolley is the next step in the recycling and social upliftment chain. From a community perspective, Eco-bin goes beyond recycling to being a true empowerment solution for South Africa. The system sees independent SMME recyclers empowered by allocating selections of bins – the contents of which make their way to buy-back centres by means of the Eco-trolley. The trolley is a specifically-designed pavement-friendly, two-wheeled pushcart with a 500 kg load capacity. By arriving at buy-back centres with pre-separated recyclables, participants are ensured prompt, efficient service at the weighing stations.
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