The last month has been another very interesting one for Open Sky with steady ongoing support and referrals from many of you as our recycling partners combined with an opportunity to visit the strategically important WASTECON Convention which takes place every two  years. This year it was between 4th - 8th October at Emperors.

We understand just how passionate you are about Recycling so we have tried to put together a very brief summary of some of the trends gleaned at the Convention for this months newsletter.

 

The Event was Hosted by The Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA) which is a multi-disciplinary non-profit association that is committed to supporting professional waste management practices.The Institute comprises voluntary members who promote environmentally acceptable, cost effective and appropriate waste management practices. Driving the protection of the environment and people of Southern Africa from the adverse effects of poor waste management by supporting sustainable best practical environmental options.

Topics discussed were wide ranging but the key messages included;

• Waste minimization and recycling
• Legislation and service delivery
• Landfill design and operations
• Landfill gas extraction and CDM
• Waste to energy projects and opportunities
• Ewaste collection, recycling and disposal
• Social issues related to waste management

Some interesting trends are worthy of comment;

It provided our first opportunity to bench mark Open Sky Recycling resources collected, separated and recycled against the total RSA Waste Industry published figures;

This is the graphical breakdown of key Recyclables recovered throughout South Africa based on weight (Kgs)

SOUTH AFRICA RESOURCES RECOVERED

Notes;

• Cans recovery are driven by Collect a Can a superb company- remembering this is based on weight therefore the physical volumes are considerably higher and if represented by volume instead of weight would make up a huge %.
• Mondi Ronnie bags for paper still unfortunately constitute the be all and end all of "recycling" to over 80% of South Africans homes (Graphically illustrated every week with horribly overflowing municipality bins outside homes and businesses nationwide "offset" by a small Ronnie bag placed outside occasionally! )This misled perception is starting to change very slowly thanks to ever improving environmental education of our children and the media.
• Plastics by far the highest volume and most damaging recoverable resource nationwide at only 9% recovered is disturbing.

Its early days but compare this graphical breakdown of OPEN SKY key Recyclables recovered based on weight (Kgs) - (As Reported to Tshwane Waste Management as an integral part of the Open Sky Recycling License Permits.)

OPEN SKY RESOURCES RECOVERED

Notes

• Open Sky is making a real material difference where it really counts - Plastics Collected , Separated and Recycled. - Remembering this is based on weight therefore the physical volumes transported are considerably higher as a % (Empty Coke bottles , Milk Bottles , Plastic packaging etc).
• If calculated based on volumes transported Plastics would constitute over 65% of Open Sky resources recovered!
• Many thanks to all of you that have included all your paper in the normal blue bin collection.

Other WASTECON 2010 CONVENTION Snippets

LEGISLATION

New Government Legislation passed in 2009 for Compulsory recycling is currently being drafted into the Tshwane Waste Management By laws focusing initially on companies quickly followed by residential.

The excellent news is that proof of compliance of all Open Sky Sky Recycling Homes and Partners can be provided immediately.

Experience in other countries has shown that the sooner companies comply with new legislation, especially concerning waste treatment and recycling, the sooner they become more competitive and have an advantage over other companies in their market. “Initially, it is always difficult to change habits and practices, but, if new legislation is approached with an open mind, it will be easier to adapt and a number of opportunities will present themselves.

However the experience of pilot residential projects in Cape Town,Johannesburg and many large US cities around the long term viability of the municipal mixed recycling collection schemes is pointing towards the need to add a new surcharge to break even. e.g Chicago is implementing a US$10 surcharge. I will update you as more clarity comes through.

COLLECTION TRENDS

The last two years have clearly been a tough trading period for the majority of businesses in RSA. This has also been evident with the closure and liquidation of two Johannesburg based Recycling Collection companies.

The key reasons as reported were insufficient concentration of subscribers in specific geographically areas to maintain efficiencies, lack of peoples knowledge that the collection service existed, decreasing prices from bulk recycling buyback centers (e.g Newspaper only R200 a 1000KGS and Glass only R 250 for 1000KGS and delinquent monthly collection service payments by unimplemented debit orders.

I am pleased to report Open Sky is growing steadily with your continuous support but it is vital that people in YOUR area, estate , street , complex and company are made aware of the Open Sky Recycling Collection Service so we can avoid these challenges.

BUSINESS AS USUAL

HOUSEKEEPING REMINDERS;

• BINS – Please always make sure your Open Sky Blue bin is outside and clearly visible for swift and efficient collections

• CLEAR BAGS – Please always use the clear recycled bags and tie them off in the bin to ensure swift and efficient collections. (Unbagged items will be left in the bin).

WEBSITE NEWS

This months updates;

• Implememented a very simple Clear Recycled bags reordered system under the menu - "New clear bags orders"

• Updated all collection dates to December so please check under the menu - "Collection Dates"

• Implemented a REVIEW section on the right hand side of the www.open-sky.co.za home page. This is so you can comment on how the Open Sky Recycling Collection Service has impacted you. Please use it!

WORM FARMS

I have to take this opportunity to apologise. In last month's newsletter we mentioned the availability of Open Sky Worm Farms but we never expected to number of orders that have come in. Please be patient as we are slowly starting to deliver and hope to have all orders fulfilled in the next three weeks!

Welcome to all our new home and business recycling partners we are very excited about your support. 

Please support our Commercial Collection Partners;

New October Business Recycling Collection Partners;

• BAE Systems (Advanced defence, security and aerospace systems)
• Fortuna Foods (Woolworths Foods Supplier)
• Nouveau Consulting (Certified Insurance Training)
• Delphius CIT (Design, manufacture and maintenance of industrial microwave and RF applications)
• Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies (Economic research institution)
• ALM Properties
• Lynnwood Glen Animal Clinic
• Dynamic Alternatives (Close Protection Security Services & training) 

Look out for this partner logo on their websites;

 

• Bert du Plessis Chartered Accountants
• Centurion Eye Hospital
• Clubview Guest House
• Craison Hygiene
• Dunkelly B&B
• Embassy and Residences of Austria
• Embassy and Residences of Denmark
• Embassy and Residences of Finland
• Embassy and Residences of Sweden
• Genop Healthcare
• Greenlea Guest House & Conference Centre
• Happy Hands Nursery
• Inn Joy Boutique Hotel
• Lifestyle Management Centre
• Mandevco Consultants
• Midrand Special Steels
• Pete’s Retreat Guest House
• Product One (Microsoft Development Partner)
• Pumpkin Nursery
• Wild Olive Guest House

 

Please contact me bruce@open-sky.co.za and give us feedback and join our Open Sky Facebook page!

LOOK OUT FOR THE NEW FLYERS BELOW!