RECYCLING is not a new phenomenon it has been a common practice since time immemorial.
In days gone by, there was little evidence of trash, broken tools or pottery implying that waste was recycled into new materials.
According to Wikipedia, pre-industrial times show evidence of scrap bronze and other metals being collected and re-melted to be used to make new tools.
Paper re-cycling was first recorded in 1031, when Japanese shops sold re-pulped paper while in Britain, dust and ash from wood and coal fires was collected by ‘dustmen’ and used as base material in brick manufacturing.
The main driver for recycling then was the economic advantage that came from already made material instead of working virgin materials.
History shows that in 1813, Benjamin Law developed the process of turning rags into ‘shoddy’ and ‘mungo’ wool in Batley, Yorkshire.
This material combined re-cycled fibres with virgin wool. The West Yorkshire shoddy industry in towns such as Batley and Dewsbury, lasted from the early 19th Century to at least 1914.
Beverage bottles were re-cycled with a refundable deposit at some drink manufacturers in Great Britain and Ireland around 1800, notably Schweppes.
Our own local companies have mastered the art with companies like Waverley Plastics producing poly pipes and pellets.
While others have not been able to take advantage of re-cycling, community-based organisations have managed to re-cycle materials and produce various wares for sale.
Players, especially in the arts and craft industry, have greatly benefited from material re-cycling.
However, high water and electricity costs are affecting players in the re-cycling industry.
According to Waverley Plastics’s director Aron Vico, these costs are threatening viability.
“Electricity and water costs, competition from abroad, wages and lack of incentives in the industry are some of the challenges affecting the recycling industry,” Vico said.
“If only we could get water and electricity at a reduced cost per unit, our operations would grow as we are competing against countries that have no power cuts, lower wages, electricity and water costs supported by recycling and export incentives.
“Imposing a duty structure on products that we can locally produce such as plastic, baby bath tubs and buckets would put us on a level playing field and help the current local re-cyclers to survive as well as encourage others to start,” he said.
Waverley Plastics has a wholesome business model that seeks to boost and grow the human capital, widespread training, job creation and at the same time being eco-conscious.
The core ethic of the business is that every kilogramme of plastic re-cycled is a kilogramme kept out of landfill sites.
The company has a capacity to re-cycle approximately four million kg of plastic per annum.
Sharon Hook, head of waste management at Clean & Green Zimbabwe, said societies had to work together to ensure that the environment remained clean.
“When communities work together looking at problematic areas, with practical workable solutions at grass roots, we believe we can have a world class city and cleaner nation by 2025,” Hook said.
“Waste is a part of everyone’s lives and we believe there will be job-creation through proper waste management practices.”
Hook said re-cycling industry had the potential to significantly transform lives.
“We have been involved with Zimbabwe Recycling Association and worked closely with Environment Africa in waste management for the last 5 years. It is clear that trash is treasure that can improve the livelihoods of the people in our communities as waste is everywhere.”
“We can do more to help clean our cities by re-using waste, composting and worming. More awareness campaigns must be carried out to educate people on the benefits of re-cycling,” said Hook.