Waste Indaba registration now open

THE website for interested parties to register to attend the BCM Waste Indaba from May 22 to 23 was launched yesterday at the Border-Kei Chamber of Business offices.

The capacity for the event, which will be taking place at the ICC, has been capped at 250 on a first-come first-serve basis. To register, go to the website http://bcmmwasteindaba.co.za.

Helen Neale-May, the portfolio head of community services at BCM, said that the purpose of the event was to develop “sustainable waste management through partnerships”.

The event will be a cooperative effort between BCM and the Border-Kei Chamber of Business.

Les Holbrook, the BKCOB executive director, said the organisation’s involvement was part of their commitment to developing East London.

Holbrook said that to attract business a city needed to be “investor friendly” and the easiest way to do this was to show “the city cares” through efforts like recycling and cleanliness.

Executive mayor Xola Pakati, who was clearly inspired by his recent trip to China, said of the upcoming indaba: “Cleanliness of the city is a critical component of running a city, and we have to get a consensus on what is the best way to do this.”

Some of the topics expected to be discussed at the indaba include community education regarding littering, transferral of waste to energy – “trash to-cash” businesses – and diversion of waste from landfills through recycling.