The town of Empangeni, two hours up the coast from Durban, has launched a recycling project that commenced in the second week of August 2018. During this pilot project, certain residents will receive yellow plastic bin bags from the municipality, in which they can dispose of clean recyclables.The City of uMhlathuze has urged residents with the bags to rinse recyclable items such as plastic bottles before placing them in the yellow bags. Any food residue could contaminate the batch of recycling.The yellow bags can be placed on the verge and the waste management services will collect them and send them to the recycling facility. The waste collection starts on Thursdays. Here is a list of items that can be recycled:

• Paper and newspapers
• Cardboard
• Magazines
• Plastic bottles and containers
• Aluminium drinks cans
• Food cans
• Laminated milk or juice cartons
• Glass bottles

The following items should NOT be put in the recycling:

• Food waste (i.e. food scraps and leftovers)
• Batteries
• Electronic waste such as phones and cameras
• Clothing and material
• Garden waste such as leaves, plant trimmings and grass

Although Averda does not operate in this region, we support this industry initiative. This recycling project launched in Empangeni could spark similar projects in the rest of KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa if it is successful. Residents in Johannesburg are already recycling household waste as the local council passed a mandate to make household recycling compulsory.___Averda is a leading waste management provider with over 50 years of experience across three continents. Through growth, transformation and engagement, we strive to find new ways of managing waste while protecting the community and environment. ___By pairing international expertise with local insights, we have secured our position as one of South Africa’s most respected providers of waste management and industrial cleaning services. We also operate in the recycling, pipe inspection, CCTV, infrastructure inspection, hydro-demolition, high-pressure water jetting and catalyst handling industries. ___Follow us Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for the best tips on recycling and the latest industry news. See our Instagram and YouTube channels for more insights into environmental affairs and our work with local communities.