Paving way for a spotless event
Route cleaned up ahead of cycle tour
THE Daily Dispatch partnered with the Call2Action initiative on Saturday to ensure the primary areas of the route for the Dispatch Cycle Tour were spotless yesterday.
Call2Action is a groundbreaking initiative started last year by the BorderKei Chamber of Business and various stakeholders to clean and green the city in hopes of attracting investment and is funded solely through donations from businesses.
Since its inception, the Call2Action campaign has led to the opening of two waste drop-off stations in Settlers Way and Quigney. It has also integrated a schools programme where 32 East London and Mdantsane schools collect and receive revenue for their recyclables. These schools are also drop-off points where the community can deposit their recyclables.
Invest Buffalo City Project manager Drayton Brown said the initiative has been a phenomenal success.
“We have strengthened the relationship between business and the city, and are working with the Buffalo City Metro Municipality on a new project model going forward to ensure the work we have done is sustainable,” he said.
The programme has led to the reopening of the BCM-owned waste buyback centre in Oriental Plaza, which buys recyclables from the community. The centre, operated by Call2Action service provider, DNF Waste and Environmental services, has seen a 100% month-on-month increase in recyclables with 45 tons deposited last month.
“The operation of the centre has made a difference in the waste landscape within the city as its location is central and accessible to the public and the vendors operating in the city. The rebates offered for the recyclables at the centre are excellent and it therefore offers a sustainable income source for the vendors,” said DNF boss Deidre Nxumalo-Freeman.
The Daily Dispatch acting marketing manager Penelope Smith said they appreciated the support from all the stakeholders of the Call2Action committee in the clean-up of Buffalo Drive in preparation for the cycle tour.
“The clean-up certainly made it a safer and more pleasant ride for our cyclists. We hope that all who attended the Dispatch Cycle Tour were inspired to take up the call and be part of the Call2Action movement. They became part of making our city a better one for all.”
As a donation-funded programme, Call2Action continues to call upon businesses to pledge their support, not only for the benefit of a cleaner city, but to ensure that the employment opportunities created are sustained and multiplied.
For more information, contact Drayton Brown on 043-743-8438 or email: