They call me an Environmentalist Activist

We are listening to

This Radio New Frame podcast episode, featuring a number of Waste Reclaimers in Johannesburg. It has to be one of our favourite podcast episodes in a good a while. “They call me an Environmentalist Activist”. What a a perfect sentence in an almost perfect New Frame podcast! The episode sensitively captures the voices, frustrations and hopes of these every day citizens that work in waste recycling in South Africa today and in what is a fast moving, contentious space. According to the UN, South Africa has more than 60,000 environmentalist activist reclaimers  collecting 80 to 90% of used recyclables annually. But we never see them because they are part of the invisible. Millions that most of us don’t see despite their very visible daily presence in our towns and cities. Listening to this episode reminded me that there are no unheard voices, only the silenced.

We are reading

The future is here. The Western Cape plans to eliminate organic waste from the landfills by 2027, starting with a 50% reduction in 2022.

If we want to successfully divert more organic waste from the landfill, we have to make composting mainstream. New York City and other US cities are trying to show us how. But there are growing pains are everywhere.

Remember CDs, cassettes and video players? Have a look at the South African Plastics Pact’s list of plastic products that are on their way out come end of 2022! Like we said, the future feels like it’s almost here.

Finally, as climate change worsens we can expect to read more stories like this perfect storm of inequality, precarious livelihoods and climate change – migrant workers who follow climate change disasters. What a read!

We’ll be cooking

These recipes bring together two of our favourite things, my home city Durban and Yotam Ottolenghi: Ottolenghi’s take on the Durban Bunny Chow and Milk Tart . Pure perfection!