Page 19 - Waterfall_Issue 8_2022

separating their waste at the source.
However, this is still something that is
voluntary. With that said, we want to
make it as easy as possible for people to
recycle and therefore we are working on
Precompost in the making some innovate solutions to prompt all
Waterfall stakeholders to get involved
entire Waterfall community fight the CENTRALISING WASTE in the recycling process. Once the
carbon battle, while also creating a MANAGEMENT centralised waste management facility
nutrient-rich fertiliser for gardens, parks, Over and above this, Waterfall aims to opens, we will encourage people
and fields. So far, the food waste from create a centralised waste management within Waterfall and surrounding
Mall of Africa, Polofields Crossing and facility on site. This will provide communities to come and drop off their
Waterfall Wilds is being processed on residents with a place to drop off their recyclables at our facility,” says Joubert.
a monthly basis, with Waterfall Wilds recyclables, including e-waste. Key to
contributing most of the cardboard. this is to separate the wet waste (food The facility will also geo-locate
and contaminated cardboard) and dry recycling bins throughout the city
Here’s how the food waste waste (plastics, tin, glass, and so on). for smart route planning to be done.
recycling process utilising the The waste trucks will then be able to
Heron IVC machine works: “Our aim is to have a system that collect the bins from people’s homes.
• Food waste is high in nitrogen and, as measures our compliance when The plan is to do this via the Go
such, needs to be balanced with carbon, the regulations change. This can Waterfall app, making it convenient
which also helps to mitigate moisture. entail a barcode scanning solution, for everyone in the community.
The carbon source used in this regard especially for commercial entities
is cardboard. The ratio of the cardboard that are already separating their “Even though we have just begun
is about 25% of the food waste. waste at the source,” adds Joubert. working on conceptualising and
• The mechanism of the Heron IVC planning this facility, the eventual
spreads both the food waste and Ruan Spies, Sustainability Manager at aim is full automation. But for now,
cardboard evenly across the vessel, the Waterfall Management Company, the focus is on making incremental
aerating the mixture at the same time. explains that the public’s general changes to improve the process flow
This process is monitored constantly. awareness of the importance of as much as possible,” says Spies.
• After 2-3 weeks in the machine, the recycling is vastly different from
precompost is discharged and taken thirty years ago. “Children are more SUSTAINABILITY ABOVE ALL
to the main compost site. There, educated about recycling and can Spies says that Waterfall is preparing
it is mixed with garden waste to help their parents understand how for a time when separating waste will
mature fully into organic compost. best to separate waste. In general, our become mandatory due to legislation.
• During this 6-8 week maturation waste recycling is already doing very “Residents and businesses here are
process, it is turned regularly with the well throughout Waterfall,” he says. embracing this, as they understand
help of a Tractor-Loader-Backhoe (TLB). the importance of being sustainable.
• The end product is then ready for Joubert agrees. “Most of the residential However, whilst we are not in favour
the garden. estates within Waterfall are already of landfilling, it must be realised

Precompost mixed with garden waste being turned by a TLB