WASH and Waste Management
In addition and as part of spring protection, ERS works with communities in addressing waste management to reduce contamination of freshwater. This includes engaging with and supporting the local municipality, cleaning of local streams, and supporting households to better manage disposable nappies – a huge source of pollution for land and natural water sources. ERS has supported communities to develop waste disposal systems. We are also introducing alternatives in the form of affordable new-tech washable nappies, and using this to create small business opportunities for community members in the distribution of these reusable nappies.
Smart Nappies Initiative
“Imagine our environment and rivers free of disposable nappy pollution. This is the ultimate goal of the reusable Smart Nappy project that is currently being piloted in rural Matatiele, Eastern Cape, with support from the WWF Nedbank Green Trust.
‘The Smart Nappy is nothing like the old cloth nappies of days gone by – these are beautifully designed, technically advanced reusable nappies. Smart Nappy is a generic term we coined for a commodity produced by several global and South African brands, including our project partner, BiddyKins,’ says environmental scientist Nicky McLeod from the Matatiele-based non-profit organisation, Environmental & Rural Solutions (ERS), which is coordinating the project. ‘Smart Nappies tend to be used by eco-conscious urban families who have online access, but they have not reached remote rural areas. That’s what we aim to address by making them acceptable, affordable and accessible.’ ” …
Mr Luyolo Nonkevu is a farmer and a parent who is the advocate for the use of smart nappy. Through the use of washable nappies, he was able to save about R500 per month. The dumping of nappies reduced due to waste management awareness done by ERS team. Moreover, there was an improvement in health of his twins and the condition of his livestock.