The Steps to Re-Cycling as shared by Worlds View Conservancy

Step one; Awareness

By now, you would have to be a hermit not to have heard about the green revolution, one small but very important aspect being re-cycling. Anyone who still needs more awareness only has to look at the number of black bags left outside our World view properties on a Tuesday. Where do they all disappear to? Well, take a trip to the refuse dump at Pietermaritzburg and see where your rubbish ends up, you will see the acres of rubbish which have built up and you cannot help but ask yourself 'How much more rubbish can this area take?

Step two; Understanding;

Plastic, paper, cardboard, glass and tin are all able to be re-cycled and by re-cycling they can contribute to reducing the cost of finished products which will benefit our pockets. There are whole businesses which have developed based on re-cycled material, who has heard of Ngwenya glass in Swaziland which employs over twenty people making beautiful glass products out of re-cycled glass? Re-cycled paper is used to supplement trees in the manufacture of new paper products, re-cycled tin is melted down and used in the production of new steel products and the same is true for plastic.

Re-cycling reduces the depletion of our dwindling stocks of raw materials, it reduces the loads of rubbish which are filling up our towns refuse dumps and it reduces the amount of toxic seepage from these dumps, which are contaminating our water supplies. It makes good sense to re-cycle.

Step three; Commitment

This is probably the hardest step but once that commitment is made it becomes easy. Just like running a race, the hardest step is the first; or starting a diet getting your mind around it is the hardest part but once committed the results are very rewarding. To help with the commitment just think of the gratitude your kids, grandkids and all future generations will have for providing them with a sustainable future

Step four; Action

In reality it could not be easier, first you will need four separate containers one for plastic, one for tin, one for paper and one for glass. Nothing fancy is required, maybe an old dog biscuit package, cardboard box, empty 20 litre paint container etc. or you can buy four separate bins. Then when the container fills up take it with you to the Quarry shopping centre where there is a really well organised re-cycling depot. You do not even have to make a special trip as I am sure everyone of us shops at the centre at least once a week.

Step five; Results

You will see the number of black bags outside Worlds View households every Tuesday dropping by at least one bag per house, my own experience was dropping from 2-3 bags per week to 1. You will have a real feeling of satisfaction knowing you are doing the right thing for the environment and future generations. You never know, you may even become so committed that you invest in a 'worm farm which will virtually eliminate all your waste!

Read more about Worlds View Conservancy

Thank you to Worlds View Conservancy for the inspiring hints and welldone to all Hilton residents who have implemented a recycling system at home. To those who were unsure of where to begin, back to Step one.