Treasure trove of recyclables
Clinton Moodley and Siphelele Buthelezi went to The Sustainable Living Expo in the city and were astounded by what they saw
MORE and more individuals and small businesses are taking to the recycling trend. The sixth annual Sustainable Living expo started on Friday, attracting hundreds of visitors. Hosted by Durban and the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, it is the province’s premier green event.
MEC Nomsa Dube said she was most impressed at seeing how many teachers had organised trips for pupils to attend.
“I see pupils came out in numbers and that is good because the children are the future generation, they are the ones who need to learn and come up with innovative strategies for living a sustainable life.
“I am impressed by what exhibitors are showcasing, the environmental issues are everyone’s business. The COP 17 legacy is still continuing and this event is part of it.”
The South Durban Basin Area-Based Management stall showed nifty ways of transforming ordinary items into handy articles.
Intern Thankiso Ntetha said old CDs could be made into candle holders, especially useful during load shedding.
She also showed keen environmentalists how 2 litre drinks bottles could be turned into vases, or used to plant flowers or vegetables.
“Our aim is to make people aware of the environment and teach children about the different species of plants that our country has to offer,” she told a group of visitors.
There was a foot-fuelling “petrol station” presented by GO!Durban, the proposed new integrated rapid public transport network. The station offered foot rubs, reflexology, shoe shining and cleaning as well as refreshments.
The Green Camp, started by Xolani Hlongwa, is another exhibition that helps community mobilisation.
Hlongwa took 15 years to research the project, and today it remains one of the most eco- friendly initiatives in Durban.
“Green Camp is based on the needs of society and can turn the most neglected areas into a place of growth and creativity.
“We are an urban renewable artistic hub that helps set up urban food gardens as well encourage different methods and variants of recycling and up cycling,” he said.
Hlongwa was wearing a jacket he made from old washing powder packets, feathers and cardboard.
The Renaissance Project is another stall that brings recycled material back to life.
They turn old billboards, some of music concerts and others political, into back- packs, pencil cases and shopping bags.
A stand-out stall this year was Afripak/DUT. Proceeds received from the event will go towards the Rhino Orphanage.
Sustainable manager for Afripak, Mark Liptrot, said the stand wanted to show youngsters how they could live sus- tainably by making wallets and other items from waste material. It also made a pool table out of cardboard at which young people enjoyed playing against each other.
Durban University of Tech- nology arts students, represented by Sduduzo Mkhwanazi, showcased garments they had designed out of plastic, toilet rolls, maize meal packs and plastic cold drinks bottles.
The expo ends at 5pm today.