It's a Goodyear - picking up the trash

Goodyear Risk Control manager René van der Merwe said that, as environmental awareness grows, many people would like to contribute to the health of the planet by recycling their rubbish, but they don't know what to do with it.

Not enough bins

"There are currently not a sufficient number of bins available publicly for streamed waste. The company has been recycling its factory and office waste for some time already, so it made sense for us to extend the collection system to the greater community. These extra bins cost us next to nothing, but hopefully they will make it easier for people to adopt good recycling habits," she said.

Collection points have been set up in the parking areas of the Uitenhage manufacturing facility as well as its offices in Port Elizabeth, in a joint venture with the Waste Trade Company. Cans, plastic and paper can be dumped in specially provided streamed waste collection bins.

Quality higher when separated at source

The waste is collected, transported and sold by the Waste Trade Company to recyclers - true to Goodyear's 'zero waste to landfill' philosophy. Transport costs are deducted from the revenue and the balance is used to invest in selected worthy charities and community projects.

"The quality of recyclable material is higher when it is separated at source before collection, which is why the separate bin facilities are a boon for those who are keen to recycle their rubbish but don't have anywhere to dump it. Paper and cardboard, glass, plastic and tins - already separated into the four streams - may all be thrown into the bins for collection," concluded Van der Merwe.