One business’ waste is another’s resource: Western Cape businesses saving millions
On Friday 26 June 2015, Premier Helen Zille, will open and attend 110% Green’s Annual Event – Synergy Day.
A key economic goal for the Western Cape Government and its 110% Green initiative is for the province to become Africa’s Green Economic Hub. The 110% Green initiative works closely with the Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Programme (WISP), a free facilitation service that networks with companies wishing to trade their under-utilised resources, including materials, energy, assets, logistics and expertise.
The event on Friday is an opportunity for businesses in the province to connect so that they can identify business opportunities inherent in using another’s under-utilised or discarded resources. These resources could be anything from materials, energy, water, assets, logistics and expertise.
Sharing resources - benefits to date:
- Waste diversion from landfill of 425 tons
- Additional revenue of R3.75 million
- Cost savings of R4.13 million
- Private investment of R100 000
- Greenhouse gas savings of 2300 tonnes CO2 emissions
- Job creation within member companies of 11 temporary and 10 new permanent jobs.
To date more than 200 companies, from a variety of sectors have joined WISP’s industrial symbiosis network. WISP facilitators have managed to identify around 1 000 under-utilised resources within this network of companies.
The Western Cape Government launched the 110% Green initiative on World Environment Day 2012 as a call to action to all organisations to link Green with the Economy.
At the launch in 2012, 30 organisations signed the 110% Green flag to establish themselves as the innovators and entrepreneurs of the Green Economy. Since then over 160 businesses, NGOs and local governments have made a similar commitment.
Media welcome to attend. Please kindly RSVP to Michael.Mpofu@westerncape.gov.za.
Details:
Date: Friday, 26 June 2015
Time: 9h00
Venue: Lagoon Beach Hotel, Milnerton, Cape Town.
Enquiries:
Michael Mpofu
Spokesperson for Premier Helen Zille
Cell: 071 564 5427
Tel: 021 483 4584
Email: Michael.Mpofu@westerncape.gov.za
