GCX NOW Newsletter | March 2021 – EGSA Energy Governance South Africa

A Message from our CEO

With the new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations being introduced, our focus this month is on waste.

For the past decade, GCX has had a front-row seat watching many South African companies grapple with the complexities and chaos of managing their waste.

Thankfully, through our expertise and innovative data analytics tools, we have helped our clients – across multiple sectors – simplify their waste management strategies and enhance their environmental and business performance in the process.

In this newsletter, we look at just how fundamental waste data analytics are in a circular economy and you can also learn more about our biogas plant, a partnership between Elgin Fruit Juices and Zero Waste Technologies, a GCX subsidiary.

We also share some waste focused news from the rest of the world that demonstrates how critical it for us to improve and change the way we tackle waste. Be sure to also listen to the PropTech for Good webinar we recently participated in to discuss sustainable cities and communities. Finally, we are proud to put Sea Harvest and Pick n Pay in the spotlight this month with truly phenomenal news on their commitment to being environmentally responsible.

If you want to chat about your company's strategic waste management, get in touch – we'd love to help you with your zero waste strategy, waste data analytics and related activities.

Kevin

GCX ANALYTICS
The Fundamental Role of Waste Data Analytics in a Circular Economy

Data has a fundamental role to play in how we measure and manage waste as part of the circular economy. The question is, how do you navigate the complex and often chaotic world of waste management? Explore the challenges in achieving Zero Waste and solutions that will help drive the circular economy.

ARTICLE
New Report Sets Standard for Assessing Plastic Impacts of Business

A new report by WWF provides guidance on how to integrate plastic into the ESG-related performance assessment of companies. Aimed primarily at ESG data and insights providers, the report supports organisations looking to strengthen their reporting and transparency around plastic usage and impact.

ARTICLE
SDG 11: To Ensure Sustainable Waste Services, We Must Value Waste Workers

A spotlight on sustainable development – this article takes a closer look at SDG 11 and, in particular, how essential waste collection and management are to public services for every community. Waste workers are critical to achieving sustainable cities and communities as they are essential to protecting public health and the environment.

CASE STUDY
Elgin Fruit Juice: Adapting Waste-to-Energy Interventions for Seasonal Demand

By utilizing biogas as an alternative fuel solution, Elgin Bio-digestion will improve the year-round viability of the anaerobic digester at Elgin Fruit Juice. The biogas plant, situated on a farm in Grabouw, is a partnership between Elgin and Zero Waste Technologies, a subsidiary of GCX. Follow the link for the GreenCape case study.

PROFILE

Meet the GCX Team: In Conversation with Ohad Shachar
In our latest 'Meet the Team' feature, we chat to GCX Technical Director, Ohad Shachar, about his favourite projects at GCX, his hopes for business sustainability and his stint working on a Kibbutz in Isreal.

WEBINAR
PropTech for Good in South Africa

GCX CEO, Kevin James, participated in a discussion on sustainable cities and communities in South Africa. He was joined by Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, Chief Executive Officer of SAIBPP and Grahame Cruickshanks, Head of Sustainability & Utilities at Growthpoint Properties.

ARTICLE
New Five-year Certification for SA’s Most Sustainable Fishery

After a demanding 12-month re-assessment, GCX client and hake trawl fishery, Sea Harvest, has been certified “sustainable” by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) for a fourth five-year period. As part of the certification, MSC determined that Sea Harvest's impact on the environment is managed effectively.

ARTICLE
Pick n Pay Pursues Strategy of Becoming Environmentally Responsible

Retail giant and GCX client, Pick n Pay, has committed to achieving ambitious targets by 2023 in a bid to become more environmentally responsible. The majority of targets set by PnP are centred around cutting down waste and includes that 100% of packing will be recyclable and reusable and a 50% reduction in food waste.