This year’s bi-ennial Eastern Cape ‘Green Revolution’ Conference saw the 72 delegates participating in lively debates; join in on significant discussions about environmental consciousness and maximising networking opportunities.

Guest speaker, Sarah Edwards from RWS Environmental Consultancy based in the United Kingdom, focussed on international best practices in the waste industry. Edwards shared that the growing population and economy increased complexity of waste streams. Limited understanding of waste flows, the policy and regulatory environment as well as the absence of a recycling infrastructure in South Africa poses great challenges that need to be overcome.

One of the highlights of the day was Nick Chapman, Manager of Central Plant Engineering at Volkswagen South Africa, who shared insights into the automotive giant’s Think Blue.Factory. initiative. Chapman indicated that ecological sustainability is amongst the most important challenges in becoming the ecological number one in the automotive market.

In addition, Prof Maarten de Wit, from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) added by sharing insights on ‘How to get earth back on track’ through a new discipline called Earth stewardship science’.

“We are delighted by the positive turnout for this conference and for all the valuable insight we received about focus areas in the waste industry, green technology, South Africa’s recycling prospects and newly formulated disciplines. On behalf of the IWMSA, we would like to thank all the speakers for their time and knowledge,” comments IWMSA President, Dr Suzan Oelofse.