Global Recycling Day couldn’t have come at a better time with the launch of our new Impact Site being a week ago.
Another opportunity to share with the world our learnings and recommendations to save our precious planet and spread a new consciousness. Living out in the bush and relying on the wildlife and wilderness as revenue for the Londolozi Family, we are highly in tune with the fragility of our natural world. We’ve also come to realise that being ‘green’ releases endorphins; there’s something satisfying in knowing you have refused, reused, rotted, reduced or recycled the majority (if not all) of your waste. We welcome our extended Londolozi Family to the concept of the 5 Rs and hope you can find a way to somehow integrate them into your lives.
We’ve also worked out that recycling should be the last resort and should almost be irrelevant due to the refusal of packaging, the reduction of waste and the reusing of what remains. In other words, waste management is about being more conscious of how we receive, use and dispose of goods. The 5Rs are about a change in culture and increasing our awareness of the waste we create, but also how easy it is to innovate and produce far less waste with the aim of becoming waste free.
The 5 Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Refuse, Rot and Recycle
Refuse
- Only glass reusable bottles are available for water
- We have a no plastic straw policy
- We are asking suppliers to unwrap produce before it comes onto the Londolozi property
Reuse
- Eco-Bricking: the growing phenomenon in which pieces of non-recyclable plastic are pushed into a 2-litre plastic bottle and, when full, can be used to build with.
- The staff canteen is supplemented daily with kitchen leftovers
- Eco-chemicals are delivered in bulk and containers are reused
Reduce
- Bees wax and material covers replace cling film in the kitchens and staff canteen
Recycle
- Battery boxes are available for all staff to recycle batteries
- Plastic, glass, paper, food and tin recycling bins are found around the village
- All of our boma tables are made of recycled plastic chips
Rot
- All discarded office paper is shredded and used for staff worm farms
Although we have made some good progress, we still have a long way to go and that’s why you will see all our trials and learnings in our Impact Report. We realise the value in sharing with you our mistakes so we can help fast-track the awakening and care of our planet.
We’d love to hear how you are using the concept of the 5 Rs in your own homes in the comments section below…
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Great blog Jemma. We’ve got to look after our planet. We have only got this one.
Way to go
Whenever I am able to return to Africa, I would love to see your veggie gardens, as I am an avid veggie gardener myself, with a mini foodforest as well. So much can be done in that direction as well……………….
We would love to show you our veggie gardens Irene, I too have my own veggie garden at Londolozi! We would love to get some advice form you on your next visit
Jemma, thank you so much for this tutorial. I’m going to print it and give to my friends as a reminder. The more we can reduce a bleak thumbprint on our planet, the better off all will be.
Thank you for your support Denise
Jemma, my daughter is the Santa Barbara Channel Keeper, founded Bobby Kennedy, JR. She keeps track of the channels in Santa Barbara, loves the Ocean (and keeps track of the Ocean). Her daughter wrote a treatise for the Ocean (she is 10). I love that you recycle – we recycle too! I see you have went Solar, love that too!
That’s fantastic to hear Joan, what a wonderful industry to work in! Such a wonderful thing that her daughter wrote a treatise too! Thank you for your support in recycling – it all makes a difference!
Being recyclable and reusable products will help us to improve the quality of the land, prevent water contamination, and conserve biodiversity. Be a part of the zero-waste movement! dryearth.org