Use-It Blog

March, you were THAT month From vibrant market days to powerful team building workshops and impactful dumpsite clean-ups — the SEF team for USE-IT showed up and showed out We opened our doors to the community, created opportunities, and successfully executed every market day while growing stronger, closer, and more united as a team Here’s to purpose, progress, and people coming together to make a difference  

  *Mapping the Waste Value Chain: our post-lunch session. * Rehana Moosajee invites (read challenges) participants to co-create the draft strategy for the *Waste Value Chain* - through stakeholder mapping and identifying gaps and opportunities that the strategy could address by using Public Employment Programmes. *Belinda Putterill,* the MD of USE-IT Waste Beneficiation, provides a crisp overview of the existing waste value chain. * Starting with *waste reclaimers*. "Where are the opportunities to take the reclaimers out of being an urban surfer?" (As illustrated in the short film we started the conference with.) Then to the need to support *buy-back centres*, since they operate on very, very narrow margins ("cents"). Then to the role of *bailing centres* (which aggregate waste) and ultimately to the need to "reinvent waste opportunities", which is where the real commercial opportunities lie. There is no shortage of inputs and ideas from our participants! ...

Project Proposa Empowering People with Disabilities Our project is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people living with disabilities by providing essential equipment and opportunities that restore dignity, independence, and hope. Many individuals in our community face daily challenges simply because they do not have access to basic mobility or income-generating tools. Something as simple as a wheelchair can restore freedom of movement, while a sewing machine can create an opportunity for someone to earn a living and support themselves and their families. This initiative aims to raise funds and secure sponsorships to provide: Wheelchairs for individuals with mobility challenges Sewing machines and equipment for people who wish to learn sewing skills and start small home-based businesses Basic training and support to help individuals develop sustainable skills By empowering people with disabilities with the right tools, we are not only helping them move and work more freely,...

  Stone Pony: Circular Construction & Recycling Innovation Stone Pony Circular Construction & Recycling Innovation is an initiative that promotes sustainable development through the principles of the circular economy in the construction industry. The focus is on reducing waste, reusing materials, and recycling construction by-products into new, valuable resources. Instead of the traditional “take–make–dispose” model, Stone Pony supports a closed-loop system, where materials such as rubble, concrete, plastics are repurposed into construction inputs like bricks, pavers, or eco-friendly building materials. Key Focus Areas: Recycling Construction Waste: Transforming demolition and building waste into reusable materials. Sustainable Building Solutions: Developing environmentally friendly construction products. Circular Economy Practices: Minimizing landfill waste and maximizing resource efficiency. Community Empowerment: Creating jobs and skills development opportunities ...

Turning e-waste into opportunity. ♻ At the USE IT Circular Economy Innovation Site in Hammarsdale, Electronic Cemetery is helping transform discarded electronics into valuable resources while creating local economic opportunity. Through responsible e-waste collection, dismantling, and recycling, Electronic Cemetery ensures that hazardous electronic waste is diverted from landfills and processed safely. But the story doesn’t end there… Their refurbishment division, RefurbSA, based in Hillcrest, gives computers and IT equipment a second life by repairing and upgrading devices so they can be reused by businesses, schools, and communities. This approach supports the circular economy by: Reducing electronic waste Recovering valuable materials Extending the life of technology Creating skills and jobs in the green economy Every device recovered is one less item in landfill — and one more opportunity for technology to keep working for people. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gEPdGpc https://vt...

  ♻️ Turning Waste into Opportunity At the USE-IT Circular Economy Innovation Site in Hammarsdale, waste is no longer seen as a problem - it’s a resource that can drive enterprise development, job creation, and environmental impact. Through innovative projects and partnerships, USE-IT Waste Beneficiation (RF) NPC is demonstrating how circular economy solutions can: 🏭 Support emerging SMMEs ♻️ Divert waste from landfill 👷 Create sustainable jobs 🌍 Reduce carbon emissions From waste beneficiation and recycling initiatives to innovative building materials and organic waste solutions, our site serves as a living demonstration of how waste can be transformed into opportunity. 🎥 Watch the video to see how circular economy innovation is creating real impact in Hammarsdale: https://lnkd.in/dBzyhY-n If you’re interested in partnering, investing, or supporting circular economy innovation, we’d love to hear from you.

The Hammarsdale SEF team hosted an amazing Market Day where local entrepreneurs had the opportunity to showcase their businesses and sell their products to the community. The day was filled with energy, support, and incredible local talent. With such a great turnout, the event was a huge success! Supporting small businesses and empowering entrepreneurs is what it’s all about.