Women In Environment 2023 Awards Ceremony aims to recognise and empower ordinary women for their outstanding contribution to the Environment Sector.

Today is an important day as we gather to celebrate and acknowledge the remarkable achievements of women who have been the driving force behind innovative projects in the waste management sector.
These women, often working at the grassroots level, have shown unwavering dedication to environmental sustainability, community well-being, and gender empowerment. Their exemplary efforts deserve our recognition and applause.

Our country is facing increasing environmental challenges; it is essential to have individuals who not only recognize the issues at hand but actively engage in solutions. The women we honour today have demonstrated their commitment to environmental stewardship by implementing projects that address waste management issues in creative and sustainable ways.

These projects are not just about waste management; they are about the protection and preservation of our environment as well as the development of our communities.

These waste management projects also represent the embodiment of determination, ingenuity, and resilience. The women leading these initiatives have not only contributed to cleaner and healthier communities but have also empowered themselves and their communities by showcasing the potential of women in a traditionally male-dominated field.

In every corner of the globe, women are driving change and creating impact in waste management. Their projects encompass a wide range of activities, from recycling initiatives to community education programmes. Through their efforts, they have inspired their communities to reduce, re-use, and recycle, thus fostering a more sustainable and eco-conscious way of life

 

We must also recognise the role of these projects in fostering economic empowerment. Many women involved in waste management initiatives have not only reduced environmental impact but have also generated income for themselves and their families.

This dual impact in both the environment and the livelihoods of women is a testament to the power of women’s involvement in this sector. These projects are more than just a practical response to waste management challenges; they represent a symbol of the power of women’s leadership and the positive change it can bring to our world. It is our responsibility to support, celebrate, and amplify their voices and contributions, ensuring that their work continues to inspire and ignite positive change in our society.

As we acknowledge these women and their remarkable projects today, let us be inspired by their unwavering dedication, resilience, and ability to strive and create sustainable solutions for our planet. Let us celebrate not only their accomplishments but also the potential that exists when we empower women to be leaders in waste management and environmental conservation.

I wish to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the women honoured here today for their outstanding contributions to the waste management sector. May their achievements continue to inspire us all and serve as a beacon of hope for a cleaner, more sustainable, and more equitable world.

Thank you.

DEPUTY MINISTER MAKHOTSO

For media enquiries, please contact:
Peter Mbelengwa
Cell: 082 611 8197

 

PRESS RELEASE 

Global Recycling Foundation        www.globalrecyclingfoundation.org

 

Global Recycling Foundation announces #RecyclingHeroes of Global Recycling Day 2022     

London, March 18, 2022

 

Immediate release – The Global Recycling Foundation today announces the 10 winners of their Recycling Heroes 2022 award marking Global Recycling Day 18th. March.

The winners of $ 1000 each are drawn from individuals and business leaders, sole traders, and multinationals who despite continuing hardships have managed to sustain their efforts to promote the value of recycling.

Ranjit Baxi, Founding President of the Global Recycling Foundation, said: “The world has been enduring exceptionally difficult times and we are delighted to have received so many remarkable entries from around the world.

“Indeed, to recognise the efforts made by a large number of start-ups despite two years of the Coronavirus pandemic, GRF has decided to make 4 additional awards of $250 each.”

 

The winners:

Schuler Rohstoff GmbH, Germany – Each year recycle about 280,000 tons of scrap –and are particularly proud that they can inspire so many women for our love of scrap. Half of the administrative staff are women empowering women and promoting their interest in the Recycling industry.

Una Mano per la Scuola, Italy – This committee made by parents of students from 6th to 14th years old (students of primary and secondary schools in Inveruno, Milan province, in Italy) is raising awareness on recycling & sustainability matters by organizing, with the support of the Municipality of Inveruno, for students to collect waste in the “Trash Challenge” for recycling as well as promoting planting of Trees by the students.

Vintz Plastic, Kenya – We are the leading plastic recycling company in Kenya recycling at least 25 tonnes of plastic waste per day. Our business model is unique because we promote circular manufacturing economy by making storage tanks and household items using the recycled plastics as the raw material. We place a strong emphasis of working with and training women in the process of collecting and sorting plastic.

Baby On The Move, New Zealand – An innovative effort to divert expired child restraints from going to landfill. Instead, together have created a stewardship solution of recycling car seat thereby reducing the waste which would otherwise be landfilled.

Ecocykle Limited, Nigeria – a youth-led social enterprise that promotes environmental sustainability, ecosystem restoration, the circular economy, and improved public health by providing effective waste management services to low-income communities who lack sustainable waste management options. Over the last two years, the company has overseen the training of more than 2000 young men and women on how to start their own waste recycling enterprises.

 

Oasis Association, South Africa – since 1952, the organisation has grown to support over 566 intellectually disabled beneficiaries. The organisations activities are all supported through the Recycling and thrift initiatives that fund 56% of Oasis annual income providing sustainable employment in recycling.

 

Brewster Bros, Scotland, UK – a family business centred on the principles of the circular economy turning CDE (concrete, demolition and excavating waste) into quality recycled products which can be sold back into the construction industries, diverting tons of waste from landfill and to create recycled product.

RecycleForce, Indiana, USA – is committed to reducing crime through employment and job training, while improving the environment through (WEE) waste electronics recycling. Since 2006, RecycleForce has safely recycled more than 65 million pounds of electronic waste while providing environmental job training to thousands.

Green Club of Lubanga Primary School, Zambia – Schoolchildren in the Green Club are promoting recycling by collecting waste drink bottles to make litter bins for keeping the school clean. One of the biggest environmental issues in schools is litter. The Green Club members collect used drink bottles littered around the school and community and use them for their Green and Clean school project.

Norwegian Refugee Council, Norway – Working in Bangladesh, to address the existing problem of plastic pollution in refugee camps, thus paving a way for more efficient solid waste management. NRC initiated Producing Shelter Materials from Recycled Plastic project in partnership with Field Ready to recycle the waste plastics produced by the Rohingya refugee community and surrounding host community people, to transform them into safe and sustainable shelter protection products

 

The four additional start-up award winners are:

Japheth Sunday, Nigeria – Japheth is reducing environmental pollution in the community with his JETSAR project by converting biowaste to electrical energy that powers the house including appliances, thus providing one answer to meet renewable energy needs in the country.

Precious Plastic, India – Precious Plastic is running a ragpicker co-operative. In this they buy plastic waste from ragpickers. This waste is recycled into plastic granules and sold to plastic product manufacturers. Profits from the sale of granules are distributed equally among the ragpickers helping the local economy.

Circular Shield, Slovenia – supporting sorted collection and recycling of used beverage cardboards, and creating a local, functioning model of circular economy as we return paper products made of regenerated cellulose.

Çelebi KALKAN, Turkey -. Celebi, a primary school teacher has been working on STEM education for sustainable development purposes since 2015. She believes in promoting educational awareness and sustainable development goals to support present and future generations who must be equipped not only with technical knowledge and skills, but also with a deeper understanding of the values needed to create a peaceful and sustainable future.

 

 

For further information contact Global Recycling Foundation team:

press@globalrecyclingfoundation.org

Ranjit Baxi +447860525159 www.globalrecyclingday.com

 

About the Global Recycling Foundation

The Global Recycling Foundation supports the promotion of recycling, and the recycling industry, across the world to showcase its vital role in preserving the future of the planet. It will promote Global Recycling Day as well as other educational programmes, awareness projects and innovation initiatives which focus on the sustainable and inclusive development of recycling.