Retail waste project aims to uplift community
TO MARK World Environment Day an economic development initiative was launched at the Fresh Produce Market in Philippi.
The Philippi Economic Development Initiative Academy (Pedi) works closely with retailing giant Pick n Pay and Waste To Food.
The R3 million project showcases a first of its kind organic vegetable growing system which optimises the use of organic composts over fertilisers, earthworm leachate over pesticides and flush irrigation over sprinklers.
The project is set to develop alternative farming methods to economically transform areas affected by poverty and unemployment.
Pedi will also be offering training for future farmers at the academy.
They will be able to receive business and entrepreneurship and leadership training.
“Our vision is for the creation of a cohort of emerging farmers,” Pedi chief executive Thomas Swana said.
The partnership with Pick n Pay started seven years ago and before this Pick n Pay’s waste was going to landfills.
“Then we heard the Pedi project was looking for ways to reduce waste and turn waste into food.
“So initially we partnered with Waste To Food,” Pick n Pay’s transformation director Suzanne Ackerman-Berman said.
The HotRot machine which turns organic waste into rich compost cost R7m and was bought by the Industrial Department corporation.
At the event yesterday, Pick n Pay once again reiterated its commitment to cutting food waste sent to landfills by 20% by 2020.