Human Connection – Interwaste Holdings Ltd

Golden Threads, Green Futures: How Interconnection Builds Legacy

Kevin Bohnes — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 19:39:26 +0000

Innovation rarely happens in isolation.

It happens when an existing challenge is seen differently. When technology meets experience. When one industry’s problem becomes another’s opportunity. When environmental responsibility and commercial reality are brought into the same conversation.

Throughout 2026, Everything is Interconnected has explored the threads linking waste to water, soil, biodiversity, energy, health, oceans and communities.

At WasteCon 2026, those threads come together.

Because the future of waste management will not be defined by a single technology or solution. It will be shaped by our ability to understand the whole system and create stronger connections within it.

Innovation Is More Than Technology

When we talk about innovation, it is easy to think first about new equipment, processes or technology.

But some of the most important innovations in waste management begin with a different question:

What else is possible?

A residual waste stream may have traditionally been destined for disposal. Through the right processing and partnership, it may become an alternative fuel.

Contaminated effluent may once have represented an environmental liability. With appropriate treatment through facilities such as Interwaste’s Effluent Treatment Plant, the risk it poses to surrounding water systems can be significantly reduced.

Land affected by contamination does not necessarily have to remain compromised. Through remediation and bioremediation, recovery can begin.

Innovation lies not only in the technology behind these solutions, but in recognising the connections between them.

From Individual Solutions to Integrated Systems

No single waste solution can address every environmental challenge.

This is why Integrated Waste Management matters.

The waste hierarchy gives us a framework for prioritising prevention, reuse, recycling and recovery before disposal. The Global Waste Management Outlook 2024 reinforces the importance of moving beyond traditional disposal towards resource recovery and more circular waste systems.

But applying that hierarchy effectively requires an understanding of each waste stream, the infrastructure available and the opportunities that exist beyond the point where the waste is generated.

For Interwaste, this can mean connecting waste generators with recycling markets, processing suitable residual materials through waste-to-energy solutions, treating contaminated liquids through our specialised Effluent Treatment Plant, restoring affected land or ensuring materials that cannot be recovered are managed responsibly through appropriately licensed facilities.

Each solution has a specific purpose.

Together, they create something much more powerful: a system capable of finding the most appropriate pathway for different materials while managing the environmental consequences around them.

The Golden Thread Is Connection

Across each of these solutions runs the same principle. Connection.

Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) connects residual waste with industrial energy demand.

Effluent treatment connects responsible waste management with water protection.

Bioremediation connects environmental responsibility with land recovery.

Resource recovery connects businesses that generate materials with industries capable of using them again.

Programmes such as Give2Green connect recycling with social value.

Individually, each creates an outcome. Collectively, they demonstrate what becomes possible when waste is understood as part of a wider environmental, industrial and social system.

That connection is the golden thread.

Innovation That Creates Legacy

True innovation should do more than solve today’s problem.

It should leave the system stronger than it found it.

That means considering not only whether waste has been removed or treated, but what happens next. Whether resources have been preserved. Whether environmental risk has been reduced. Whether a new recovery pathway has been created. Whether the solution can continue creating value into the future.

This is where legacy enters the waste conversation.

The decisions businesses make today influence landfill capacity, resource availability, emissions, water quality and environmental resilience long after a particular waste stream has left their site.

Innovation therefore carries responsibility.

The goal is not simply to find a new way of managing waste. It is to create better outcomes for the systems connected to it.

At Interwaste, innovation means understanding those connections and finding better ways to manage them – combining experience, infrastructure, technology and partnerships to create solutions that reach further than the waste itself.

Because every thread we touch creates a future we share.

And the legacy we leave will be determined by how well we connect them.

Plastics & Oceans: How Waste Decisions Impact Marine Ecosystems

Kevin Bohnes — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 16:44:58 +0000

A plastic bottle discarded far from the coast may seem insignificant.

Yet rivers, stormwater systems, and waterways have a way of connecting places that appear disconnected. What begins as a local waste challenge can ultimately become a global environmental issue.

This is one of the clearest examples of how interconnected our world truly is.

Plastic pollution does not recognise municipal boundaries, provinces, or national borders. A piece of plastic lost to the environment inland today can travel hundreds or even thousands of kilometres, eventually entering rivers, estuaries, and oceans.

For this reason, protecting marine environments begins long before waste reaches the coast. It starts with the decisions made at homes, businesses, industrial facilities, and waste management sites every day.

The Journey of Plastic Through Connected Systems

Plastic has transformed modern life.

Its durability, affordability, and versatility have made it an essential material across countless industries. However, those same qualities become problematic when plastic escapes the waste management system.

Unlike organic materials, most plastics do not readily biodegrade. Instead, they break down into progressively smaller fragments, persisting in the environment for decades and, in some cases, centuries.

When plastic is mismanaged, it can move through interconnected systems:

Stormwater networks transport litter into rivers and streams.
Rivers carry waste through catchments and into estuaries.
Ocean currents distribute plastics across vast marine environments.
Wildlife encounters plastic through ingestion, entanglement, or habitat disruption.

What begins as a local disposal issue quickly becomes an ecosystem issue.

A Global Challenge with Local Origins

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), millions of tonnes of plastic enter aquatic ecosystems every year, placing significant pressure on marine biodiversity and coastal economies.

Yet the source of this pollution is often much closer to home than many realise.

Marine litter is frequently the result of:

Inadequate waste collection systems
Illegal dumping
Poor containment of waste
Insufficient recycling and recovery infrastructure
Litter entering stormwater systems

The implication is clear: protecting oceans is not solely the responsibility of coastal communities.

Every community connected to a river system has a role to play.

This is where the concept of interconnected systems becomes particularly powerful. The health of an ocean may depend on waste decisions made hundreds of kilometres away.

Recycling’s Ripple Effect

The most effective plastic pollution is the pollution that never enters the environment in the first place.

Recycling and resource recovery help keep materials within productive systems rather than allowing them to become environmental liabilities.

When plastic is recovered:

Demand for virgin materials can be reduced.
Valuable resources remain in circulation.
Pressure on landfill airspace is lowered.
The likelihood of environmental leakage decreases.

This is not simply about diverting waste from landfill. It is about preventing waste from entering natural systems where recovery becomes significantly more difficult and costly.

Every recovered item represents a material that remains part of the circular economy rather than becoming part of the pollution cycle.

Packaging Choices That Travel Further Than We Think

Many organisations are increasingly examining packaging decisions through a broader sustainability lens.

The question is no longer simply: “Can this package perform its intended function?”

It is increasingly becoming: “What happens to this package after use?”

Packaging choices influence:

Recyclability
Recovery rates
Resource consumption
Environmental leakage risk
Circular economy potential

By designing products and packaging with end-of-life management in mind, businesses can contribute to stronger recovery systems and reduce the likelihood of waste escaping into the environment.

This is a practical example of systems thinking in action.

Oceans Are Never Isolated

Just as water, soil, biodiversity, and health are interconnected, oceans are part of the same network.

Marine ecosystems depend on the quality of the rivers that feed them.

Those rivers depend on the health of surrounding catchments.

Those catchments depend on how communities and industries manage resources and waste.

The ocean is not separate from daily life. It is connected to it.

Every bottle recovered. Every recyclable material diverted. Every responsible waste management decision contributes to healthier environmental systems far beyond its immediate location.

Preventing Pollution Before It Begins

For Interwaste, responsible waste management is about more than collection and disposal. It is about preventing environmental harm before it occurs.

Through integrated waste management, resource recovery, and responsible containment practices, Interwaste helps keep materials within managed systems where they can continue to create value.

By reducing waste leakage and supporting circularity, waste management becomes part of protecting not only local environments, but also the broader ecosystems connected to them.

Because every waste decision creates a ripple.

The question is whether that ripple strengthens the system or weakens it.

Turning the Tide on Marine Plastic Pollution

Kevin Bohnes — Fri, 31 May 2024 19:45:44 +0000

A Call to Embrace Sustainable Choices

This month, we are confronting the substantial environmental toll of single-use plastic, constituting a staggering 89% of marine waste. Plastic bottles, bags, wrappers, and straws find their way into our oceans, wreaking havoc on marine life, wildlife, our precious oceans, and even our own well-being. It’s time to embrace change by saying no to single-use plastic and adopting sustainable products such as reusable shopping bags and glass bottles. These seemingly small actions yield significant positive impacts.

The Environmental Toll of Single-Use Plastic:

The convenience of single-use plastic comes at a high cost to our environment, the deepest plastic bag being discovered in the Marina Trench – the world’s deepest ocean trench – 10,89km below the surface. The devastating impact on marine life, wildlife, and the overall health of our oceans cannot be ignored. It’s a crisis that demands immediate and sustained action.

The Journey to reducing Single-Use:

Single-use plastics have long been a significant environmental concern, contributing to pollution and adversely impacting our planet. The South African Plastics Pact has undertaken ambitious targets to address the challenges posed by problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging. Let’s take a quick look at the data to understand the progress made and the positive steps towards creating a sustainable future.

Significant strides have been made in reducing single-use plastics, with notable achievements which include a 70% reduction in phase 1 plastics since 2020, with a focus on eliminating items like PVC pallet wrap and plastic straws. Recyclability of plastic packaging has improved to 82%, surpassing 2021 results. Efforts towards a 70% effective recycling rate by 2025 are evident, with a rise from 29.6% in 2020 to 43.9% in 2022. Explore the detailed report for a comprehensive overview of the positive impact on plastic sustainability. Read the full report here.

Embrace Sustainable Choices:

Say No to Single-Use Plastic: The first step in turning the tides is to say no to single-use plastic. Select reusable alternatives like bags, containers, and straws. It’s a simple change that significantly reduces your plastic footprint.
Choose Glass Bottles: Plastic bottles contribute significantly to environmental pollution. Choosing glass bottles not only reduces plastic waste but also encourages recycling and a more sustainable approach to packaging.
Embrace Reusable Shopping Bags and Straws: Invest in reusable shopping bags and straws. Keep them handy, so you’re prepared to refuse single-use alternatives. Small, consistent choices make a big impact over time.

Positive Impacts of Small Actions:

Reduced Marine Pollution: By reducing the use of single-use plastic, we directly contribute to less plastic ending up in our oceans. This protects marine life and preserves the health of our oceans.
Wildlife Preservation: Many animals mistake plastic for food, leading to ingestion and often fatal consequences. Embracing reusable alternatives helps protect wildlife and ensures a healthier ecosystem.
Human Well-Being: The health of our oceans directly affects human well-being. Cleaner oceans mean healthier seafood, better water quality, and a more sustainable environment for future generations.

Let’s turn the tides on single-use plastic together. Say no to disposable items, choose reusable alternatives, and encourage others to do the same. By making sustainable choices, we can collectively make a significant impact on the environment, preserve our oceans, and protect the life they sustain. These seemingly small actions, when multiplied across individuals and communities, have the power to create a wave of positive change for our oceans and the life they support.

Global Recycling Day: A Pledge to Sustain Our Planet

Kevin Bohnes — Sat, 30 Mar 2024 16:14:12 +0000

As we stand on the cusp of Global Recycling Day, it’s not merely a date on the calendar; it’s a collective call to arms for a sustainable tomorrow. Journey with us as we explore the essence of Global Recycling Day, and delve into the South African recycling narrative, uncovering actionable steps for both your home and workplace.

Since its inception in 2018, Global Recycling Day has evolved into more than an annual event. It’s a global symphony, harmonizing our commitment to a sustainable future. This day unites the world, reminding us that recycling is not just a local concern—it’s a global necessity. Our mission is clear: to implore world leaders to adopt a unified approach and to inspire individuals worldwide to reimagine waste to create opportunities for reuse and renewal.

Why Recycling Matters Globally

The past decade has thrust us into a climate emergency, with rising temperatures, melting ice caps, and the spectre of deforestation. Recycling emerges as a critical player in this global drama. Recognized in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 2030, recycling stands as a sentinel against climate change, saving over 700 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

Recycling in South Africa

With an astounding 122 million tonnes of waste generated annually, the task of managing this volume looms large on the national agenda. Minister Barbara Creecy’s insights shed light on the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that only 20% of waste is recycled globally, whereas in South Africa, the recycling rate sits at 34%.

However, within this challenge lies a remarkable opportunity for transformation. South Africa is not merely grappling with waste management but is also emerging as a beacon of innovation in the recycling realm. Minister Creecy’s advocacy for Extended Producer Schemes marks a significant shift in accountability, urging producers to take proactive steps in championing recycling initiatives for their products. This shift aligns seamlessly with the Circular Economy ethos, where reducing material footprints and promoting reuse and recycling are central tenets.

Amidst this, South African brands are carving out their niche as sustainability pioneers. From Pick n Pay to Woolworths and Unilever, these brands are not just meeting but surpassing recycling targets, as evidenced by PETCO’s commendable 66% recycling rate for PET products.

Get Involved

At Home: Small Steps, Big Impact

Your home is a microcosm of change. Conduct a quick waste audit. How many recycling bins stand alongside regular waste bins? Ideally, your recycling bins should outnumber the others. If there isn’t one, it’s time to consider having one. Placing recycling bins strategically in different areas encourages a shift towards conscious waste separation. At home, recycling becomes a habit—a part of your lifestyle.

At Work: A Blueprint for Change

In the workplace, the dynamics of recycling differ. Consider the waste generated by your office. Are there recycling bins conveniently placed? Initiating a recycling program at work involves collaboration. It’s about fostering a culture where every disposed item is viewed as a potential resource. The workplace, with its collective power, can become a beacon of sustainable practices.

As Global Recycling Day approaches, let’s not confine our commitment to a single day. Let it be the spark for enduring change. Recycling is not a chore; it’s a mindset – a lifestyle. It’s about recognizing that the products we use daily are part of a larger cycle that can be renewed, repurposed, and rejuvenated.

Every action, no matter how small, shapes a sustainable future. Be a Recycling Hero, not just for a day, but for a lifetime. Collectively we can embark on a journey where our actions today lay the foundation for a healthier, greener tomorrow.

Earth Day: Restoring our ecosystem to protect livelihoods

Kevin Bohnes — Sat, 23 Mar 2019 17:20:09 +0000

April 22, marks Earth Day – an annual event dedicated to preventing the degradation of the natural environment. Land degradation is the deterioration or loss of the productive capacity of the soils, resulting in food insecurity, higher food prices, climate change, environmental hazards, and the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. It is currently threatening the livelihoods of many Africans with resource-based livelihoods, as it is happening at an alarming pace.

Our land has a tremendous economic, social, and environmental value, and unfortunately, a good deal of it is susceptible to degradation. In South Africa, 70% of the land is affected by soil erosion, according to research.

While soil erosion is a natural process through which topsoil is lost to wind, rain, and other forces, it has been intensified by human activity, such as clearing vegetation, soil tillage or overgrazing – resulting in negative environmental, societal, and economic impacts. Poor farming practices as well as the trend toward agricultural intensification have been identified as major causes of erosion.

Scientists recently warned that 24 billion tons of fertile soil was being lost annually, and if this trend continues, 95% of the Earth’s land areas could become degraded by 2050. Furthermore, The World Wide Fund for Nature reveals that Half of the topsoil on the planet has already been lost in the last 150 years.

Additionally, climate has accelerated erosion through the changes in rainfall and water levels as they shift soil, resulting in larger amounts of sediment washing into rivers, lakes and streams. Temperature fluctuations have made topsoil more vulnerable to erosion, while droughts have prevented plants from growing in some parts of Africa, further exposing soil.

The effects of soil erosion on the land and humankind

The effects of soil erosion go beyond the loss of fertile land. Streams and rivers have become polluted, resulting in clogged waterways and declining fish populations. Additionally, degraded lands are often less able to hold onto water, which can worsen flooding.

In order to improve people’s livelihoods, we must act now to reduce climate change, and stop the extinction of biodiversity.

The global mission to revive billions of hectares, from forests to farmlands by 2030 may sound overly ambitious, but through sustainable land use, it is possible.

Where do we begin?

We need to encourage our cities to go green, ensure that our rivers are clean, and manage our waste efficiently. Despite being universal, waste presents a host of broader challenges that affect not only human health and livelihood, but also the economy and the soils that surround us.

While we cannot speak for other industries, we can commit to driving and educating industries on the importance of sustainable waste management practices as part of the overall strategy to improve land degradation statistics and support other processes that impact land processes. Such practices include – Waste Classification, Waste Re-use andRecycling, Bioremediation, Waste Treatment, as well as Safe Destruction & Disposal – can have a profound effect from an economic and environmental point of view. When implemented correctly, these solutions not only reduce the impact on biodiversity and ecosystems, but also contribute to the long-term sustainability of South Africa’s wildlife, oceans, and economy.

By reusing, recycling, and repurposing, we can truly generate restoration and contribute to the much-needed change in our land viability heading into the future. Now is the time to identify ways to preserve the land better and to act for the enrichment of Africans and the future of food stability.