Green factory initiative helps Durban poor
The Fresh Air Factory, situated in The Eco Park, The Bluff, Durban, is taking advantage of climate change innovation and giving a group of previously disadvantaged community members the opportunity to work and learn business skills by producing green products from recycled materials.
One of the challenges experienced in achieving climate change sustainability is getting communities to engage in efforts that will not only see their environments looked after, but also achieving local economic development. Miller Matola, CEO of Brand South Africa, said that success stories such as The Fresh Air Factory demonstrate the commitment of South Africans to making economic and development strides through innovation and entrepreneurship.
"The project is established as a community factory that produces green products from recycled and locally available materials. At the same time, participants are taught skills for their own future business ventures. It's a showcase illustrating how local economic development can be achieved and this is through community participation, skills development and being creative with the resources that are available."
Targeted for corporate gifting
The products being made at The Fresh Air Factory are targeted for corporate gifting through the co-ordination of The Little Green Company and the factory is open to the public, allowing visitors to see what is the being made from the recycled waste.
Antoinette Kruger from The Little Green Gift Company said that the company is keen to support The Fresh Air Factory initiative along with various other similar projects around South Africa. However, she added that the downfall of community projects is the quality control issues and the fact that large orders cannot always be met.
Because of this, The Fresh Air Factory at the Eco Park is being used as a pilot project and at present a franchise concept is being developed. "The aim is to have a network of Fresh Air Factories, so that the greater quantities of products often required by retailers and corporates can be produced."
Focus on human resource development
An additional component to the success of the project is that it moves away from a focus on capital development to focus on human resource development - therefore increasing the platforms for skills transfer and employment.
"Every South African should play his part in dealing with climate change and the people of The Bluff are showing the value that comes from collective effort," said Matola. "Projects like The Air Factory link up those who were previously disadvantaged into the real and active economy and allow for increased participation and production in local markets and sustainable job creation."
