‘Green Goal' bins stream waste collection

L-R: Andre Swanepoel, National Marketing Manager for DWS, and Jeremy Droyman, Managing Director DWS, celebrate the arrival of a clean and green future for South Africa for 2010, with their Soccer Recycling Pole Bins.

These enable people to separate their waste conveniently into colour coded and clearly marked pole bins. In keeping with the ‘Proudly South African' theme, the bins represent the colours of the South African flag, with each colour identifying a recyclable item. Blue is for glass, green for organic waste and yellow for plastic. Unlike traditional bins, these bins are easy on the eye and, with a soccer ball as its capping, have been designed to tie into the 2010 World Cup theme

This is in answer to the grave, much overlooked problem facing South Africa that there are simply not enough recycling bins in the country nor is there an efficient and effective waste separation.

Meeting Green Goal 2010

“The purpose of the bins is twofold. Firstly, the objective was to use the passion and positive energy that South Africans have for soccer to overcome the negative mindset about litter. It is also to assist the government, FIFA and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) to present the country in the best possible way. Not only with a focus on presentation but also to help accomplish FIFA's 2010 Green Goal program,” confirms Droyman.

FIFA LOC launched the Green Goal 2010 program to ensure that the World Cup event is environmentally friendly. To show their support for this initiative, each of the host cities has signed a pledge stating that it will do its best to ensure that it will be a ‘green' event. In keeping with this, the company hopes to contribute to the realisation and success of this pledge.

Host city support

“This innovation has the capacity to change waste disposal in South Africa and also take us to a new level of recycling. In order for this concept to be a success, we will need the support of the host cities and major role players of the 2010 World Cup,” says Droyman.

KIA Motors have come onboard as the first sponsors of the first bins. As one of the official sponsors of the World Cup, this is an illustration of the success of the idea. Droyman goes on to say, “We are delighted to have partnered with them on this project and hope that other 2010 sponsors can see the benefits and follow suit.”

KIA Motors has rolled out the first 500 bins at Cape Town International Airport and plans to roll out a further 700 bins at other airports across the country.

Branding opportunities

“To ensure the longevity of the bins and this recycling initiative, the bins have been designed so that the soccer ball capping is interchangeable and can be replaced with other marketing themes,” continues Droyman

The introduction of the bins ensures that an effective and long lasting private/public sector partnership is created. Municipalities involved in refuse disposal often have very tight budgets. This partnership ultimately results in an extremely cost effective service to areas, therefore enabling people to actively recycle and bring about a positive and lasting change to their environment.

Benefits of local manufacture

The bins and design have many advantages. Even when full, they conceal unsightly litter and their design offers an excellent holding capacity until they can be emptied. The mounted bins take up no pavement space, and therefore are ideal in busy pedestrian areas as they are clearly visible. The bins are constructed from rugged materials that come with a five-year guarantee, and with their proven trap door mechanism, the bins are suitable for high volumes of waste and can be easily serviced.

DWS and the pole bins create sustainable jobs for unskilled South Africans who would otherwise find it very difficult to get a job due to lack of skill and opportunity.

“It is our aim to install over 100 000 pole bins, therefore increasing environmental awareness amongst the nation and educating it about the absolute need to recycle,” ends Droyman.