Elo's posterous - Filed under 'Recycle'

Re-use and Recycling in South Africa

http://www.goinggreen.co.za/

We've frequently been contacted by people from all over South Africa asking "where can I take my recyclables?" Unfortunately the enthusiasm of first-time recyclers all too frequently wears thin after struggling to find information. Well help is on its way - we've done a bit of investigating to come up with information which will hopefully be of assistance...

You can find links to general information about recycling, as well as links to websites with lists of recycling companies and drop-off centres for recyclables including cans, electronic waste and metals, glass, hazardous waste, paper, plastics and tyres in the Green home and Office: Waste section of the Going Green Links.

Recycling can sometimes be quite an effort, so if you are looking for somebody to help you, you can find various recycling businesses in the Waste & Recycling category of the Going Green Directory. Maybe there is somebody right there in your area. Also take a look at the WWF Be the Hero Recycling Directory for the addresses of various recycling places for paper, cans, plastic, medical waste, cooling and motor oil, cardboard, nylon polyester, builders' waste etc.

Many of you have also contacted us requesting further information about using worms - vermiculture - for dealing with your organic waste (kitchen scraps etc). You can find out more about the fascinating world of worms by exploring the Green Lifesyle: Composting section of the Going Green Links or by searching the Composting category of the Going Green Directory where you will find the contact details of businesses who sell worm farming kits.

In general our first suggestion would be to re-think the way in which you do things and to reduce the amount of waste you create - reduce & re-think, reuse & regenerate, recycle & repair - less clutter in the home also contributes to greater peace of mind:

Think about whether you really need a product and how you will deal with its associated waste issues before you buy it

Buy goods in bulk or in reusable containers and avoid over-packaged products

Buy refills or concentrates

Buy fresh unprocessed products - preferably local

Reuse plastic bags when shopping or better still - take a more durable non-plastic bag or basket

Compost your kitchen scraps or start a worm farm

First have a bash at repairing the item you're considering disposing of, and if you can't fix it, consider giving it to someone in need who may have further use for it