Introduction

We've frequently been contacted by people from all over South Africa asking "where can I take my recyclables?" Unfortunately the enthusiasm of first-time recyclers all too frequently wears thin after struggling to find information. Well help is on its way - find out more about the Going Green Exchange and other information which will hopefully be of assistance...

Here at Going Green we've been "inspiring and empowering people in going green" for several years now.

Recently, however, we have come to notice that the vast majority of enquiries we now field have a similar theme: Everyone wants to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose, Repair and Regift - "What can I do with my old/surplus items - I don't just want to throw them away" OR "I'm looking for items - where can I find them?"

Living in Africa, a continent with such vast disparities in living conditions, we see this "problem" as the opportunity of a lifetime. We've now taken our quest to inspire and empower even further and are happy to announce the launch of the online Going Green Exchange - a FREE advertising platform to offer or request free items and meet people all over Africa.  Join us, free yourself and "cut the glut"! Post a FREE "Offered" ad and shed unwanted kgs while simultaneously helping someone else in Africa who needs just what you've got OR when next you need something, post a FREE "Wanted" ad and unleash your inner creativity - see if you can't make use of something old. Start today - participate in an exchange - make a new friend and discover Africa's greatest treasure.

Once you've explored the Going Green Exchange you can also find links to general information about recycling, as well as links to websites with lists of recycling companies and drop-off centres for recyclables including cans, electronic waste and metals, glass, hazardous waste, paper, plastics and tyres in the Green home and Office: Waste section of the Going Green Links.

Recycling can sometimes be quite an effort, so if you are looking for assistance (e.g. a collection service) you can find various recycling businesses in the Waste & Recycling category of the Going Green Directory. There may well be somebody collecting right there in your area. Failing that, please contact your municipality or chamber of business to find out what recycling options are available locally. Even if there is little or nothing available, it will at least have the added benefit of making them aware of a rising demand for recycling - a small step in the right direction. Find out about upcoming recycling campaigns by consulting our African Green Events Notice Board or by visiting Clean-Up South Africa.

Many people have also contacted us requesting further information about using worms - vermiculture - for dealing with your organic waste (kitchen scraps etc). You can find out more about the fascinating world of worms by exploring the Green Lifesyle: Composting section of the Going Green Links or by searching the Composting category of the Going Green Directory where you will find the contact details of businesses who sell worm farming kits.

In general our first suggestion would be to re-think the way in which you do things and to reduce the amount of waste you create - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose, Repair and Regift - less clutter in the home also contributes to greater peace of mind:

• Think about whether you really need a product and how you will deal with its associated waste issues before you buy it
• Buy goods in bulk or in reusable containers and avoid over-packaged products
• Buy refills or concentrates
• Buy fresh unprocessed products - preferably local
• Reuse plastic bags when shopping or better still - take a more durable non-plastic bag or basket (hint: return them to your bag or car after emptying the contents - that way they'll always be at hand)
• Compost your kitchen scraps and/or start a worm farm
• First have a bash at repairing the item you're considering disposing of, and if you can't fix it, try using it for a different purpose or consider giving it to a charity shop or directly to someone in need who may have further use for it (one person's waste is indeed another person's treasure - you will be surprised). In fact if your "waste" is actually still in good condition, there may be people who are looking for exactly what you consider "waste" - keep an open mind and post a free ad in the Going Green Exchange. What have you go to lose?
• Lastly, cconsider selling or swapping it through the smalls (online or in the paper) or online auction sites.